NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT TRAINS WOMEN IN RICE PROCESSING

Nigeria's Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry is collaborating with the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) to train 100 women from five states on rice processing and packaging, says its Permanent Secretary, Ibukun Abimbola,

In a speech delivered at the inauguration of a five-day training workshop at the NCRI in Minna, capital of Niger State, on Tuesday, she said the training was to ensure self-sufficiency in rice production in the country by 2015.
Abimbola, who was represented by Karim Babangida, a deputy director of the ministry, said the measure would go a long way towards tackling unemployment, and boost wealth creation among the youth and women.

"This training is particularly important because it is in line with the administration's effort at addressing the problem of unemployment in the country. Under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the issues of unemployment, wealth creation and food security are being addressed particularly as they relate to youth and women empowerment," she said.

Abimbola added that the training would enhance quick understanding and retention of key production concepts, and facilitate the establishment of private rice processing enterprises in the trainees' localities.

She said at the end of the training, 20 women cooperatives each from Niger, Kano, Jigawa, Borno and Zamfara states would be supported with grants to establish rice processing and packaging industries.

She said the grants would include rice milling machines, rice pre-cleaners, rapid steam par boilers, destoners, probe moisture metres and bag sewing machines. Other items include collapsible raised wooden platforms and weighing scales, she said, adding that they would promote technology adaptation and economic engagement in rice processing and packaging.

Abimbola said the training would be replicated in other zones of the country to draw participants from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Culled from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs