Nigeria: A Five-Fold Increase in Rice Production Amidst COVID-19

Apr 16, 2021

Globally, about 487 million metric tons of rice are consumed annually. Nigerians consume rice at nearly four times the global consumption rate, amounting to 20 percent of all the rice consumed in Africa.

While many millions of Nigerians enjoy their parboiled rice, the COVID-19 pandemic risked its availability. USADF grantee Agriculture & Value Addition Multi-Purpose Ltd. (AVAMCU), a rice-producing cooperative in Southern Nigeria, was severely impacted by the pandemic and movement restrictions.

AVAMCU reduced the area planned for cultivation from 40 hectares to about 5 hectares for the 2020 wet planting season. USADF, through the USADF C.A.R.E.S COVID-19 Program, awarded a $5,000 grant to AVAMCU to boost the group's working capital, purchase more paddy for processing, and improve the power supply to the rice mill. USADF’s local partner in Nigeria, Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI), provided the required technical support via project management, monitoring visits, and relevant training.

With USADF support, AVAMCU purchased and installed a 30KW standby generator and an additional two metric tons of paddy for processing. This allowed it to cultivate 25 hectares of paddy, representing a 5-fold increase from the group's initial plan of developing 5 hectares for the season.

AVAMCU's increased production help ensure that Nigerians can continue to enjoy their beloved staple.