The government wants to meet the needs and requirements of Nigerien consumers in the long term.
Niger has launched its National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) 2021-2030. The objective of this new policy in the sector is to contribute, in the medium term, to a sustainable increase in national rice production in terms of quantity and quality. In the long term, this West African country wants to satisfy the needs and requirements of its consumers and consider exporting to sub-regional and international markets. The cost of this strategy is estimated at 425.8 billion CFA francs over ten years, including 286.89 billion for the 2021-2025 phase and 139 billion for the 2026-2030 phase.
The implementation of this strategy will make it possible to increase rice production and productivity, promote the processing, marketing and competitiveness of local rice, and improve the institutional environment and the technical and organizational capacities of the stakeholders.
In terms of quantitative objectives, the aim is to increase production from 127,861 tons in 2021 to 1,458,059 tonnes of paddy rice in 2030, or respectively, in milled rice equivalent, from 83,109 tonnes to 947,738 tonnes.
The main impacts of the implementation of this strategy are the coverage of the consumption needs of white rice to 100 percent in 2025 and 132 percent by 2030, the creation of 420,000 new jobs and 2009 new processing companies.
Presiding over the launching ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Alambedji Abba Issa, said that the national rice development strategy is articulated around three strategic axes to be implemented through 7 action lines, 22 expected results and 72 operational activities.
“Priority will be given to activities relating to increasing the area farmed and better management of water resources, promoting and improving the use of improved seeds, fertilizers and plant protection products. In addition, the mechanization of rice cultivation, the improvement of local rice quality through the use of adequate post-harvest treatment materials and equipment, and the promotion of local rice access to the national and sub-regional markets,” Dr. Abba said.
Emphasis will also be placed on promoting access to credit for stakeholders, strengthening the operational capacities of stakeholders in the sector (transport, shelling, storage, processing, marketing), and research and dissemination of innovative rice production technologies.
TE/fss/abj/APA