The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in a recent statement shared that the ban on the importation of foreign rice has boosted local production by a large percent, especially in the northern regions of Nigeria.

Acting Controller of the Katsina Command, Alhaji Dalha Wada-Chedi, shared that the closure of borders by the present administration has pushed many farmers to startup rice productions mills.

“No fewer than 200 rice processing industries came into existence in Kano State alone, following the closure of the borders. This is a great achievement,” Wada-Chedi said.

Outside the report by the Nigerian Customs, statistics show that there has been significant growth in the production of milled rice in Nigeria within the last 10 years. Referred to as the largest consumer of rice in Africa, Nigeria’s local production of milled rice in 2021 is estimated to amount to five million metric tons, according to a report by Statista

Local production in 2010 totalled at two million, eight hundred and eighteen metric tons, the largest growth in rice production compared to previous years. From 2015 to 2016, local production recorded a 15% increase rate at four million, five hundred and thirty six metric tons from three million, nine hundred and forty one metric tons produced in 2015.

According to Statista, the year with the highest production of rice is 2019 with production at five million, forty metric tons of rice.

Rice is also one of the most consumed staples in Nigeria, with a consumption per capita of 32kg. In the last 10 years, consumption increased by 4.7%, almost four times the global consumption growth rate, and by 2017, consumption in Nigeria reached 6.4 million tonnes— accounting for 20% of Africa’s consumption. Given the importance of rice as a staple food in Nigeria, boosting its production has been accorded high priority by the government in the past 7 years leading to significant growth in local production.