Cynthia Ezekwe
WACOT Rice Limited, a rice processing company has commenced industrial production of fortified Big Bull rice, following the fortification of its premium Big Bull brand and the official launch of the flagship fortified rice in Nigeria.
Jayant Chantrastekar Jagtop, Wacot Rice Mill’s chief operating officer (COO), disclosed this in a press statement, noting that the company targets to produce about 10,000 bags of fortified rice in 10kg, 25kg and 50kg SKUs over a period of three weeks.
However, he stated that the fortified rice produced at this stage would be sold to institution buyers for use in social safety net programmes, especially school feeding programmes first in Kebbi State, adding that the fortified rice would be sold at the same prevailing market price of its unfortified rice brand without the cost of fortification.
The COO noted that the production is part of the company’s social responsibility to the people of Kebbi State and Nigeria in general, while commending the efforts of
Jagtop appreciated the excellent and productive collaboration with and support of GAIN and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC and Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in guiding the company through the journey.
He further explored other rice mills in the country to emulate Wacot Rice Mill in producing fortified rice rich in Iron, Zinc, folic acid, Vitamins B12, B1, B3 and B6.
