The Dangote Rice Out-grower Scheme in Jigawa State reached a turning point Thursday when Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, laid a foundation stone for the construction of a multi-billion naira rice processing mill in Hadin, Jigawa State.
The mill, with capacity to process 16 metric tons of paddy rice per hour, will process N14 billion worth of paddy rice a year when completed, which would be bought directly from the famers in at market rate.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony in Hadin, Kaugama local government area, Dangote said the commencement of the construction of the integrated rice processing plant was the culmination of series of events, which began with the signing of a $1 billion agreement with the federal government for the integrated rice production in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Niger and Jigawa States.
“We have continued to pioneer new approaches to empowering our primary stakeholders and our farmers, through the Dangote out-growers programme thereby creating thousands of jobs, increasing incomes poverty reduction in rural communities by providing high-quality agro-inputs, technical support and secured a market for farmers. Also, creating access to finance, mechanization and irrigation services so as to enhance agricultural productivity,” he stated.
