WACOT Rice Mill Targets 120,000 Metric Tonnes Annually

• WACOT Rice Mill Targets 120,000 Metric Tonnes Annually

The newly built WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, Kebbi State is expected to create 3,500 jobs and produce 120,000 metric tonnes of top quality rice annually.

The rice mill is part of WACOT’s expansion plan, which targets an increase in its rice milling capacity to 500,000 metric tonnes in the next few years.

According to a statement from the firm, the Group Managing Director, TGI Group, Mr. Rahul Savara, gave the indication during the visit to the plant by the Kebbi State Governor, Senator AbubakarBagudu; the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief AuduOgbeh; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

The rice processing plant would be the first rice mill to be conceptualised, executed and inaugurated during the administration of President MuhammaduBuhari. Work started on the mill in February 2016 and was scheduled to be inaugurated in April 2017, the statement said.

According to Savara, total investments in the WACOT Rice Mill exceed N10bn, covering the entire rice value chain from seed multiplication to improving farming practices, processing, branding and distribution of the rice.

Ogbeh was also quoted as saying that the Federal Government would continue to support organisations such as WACOT in the efforts to enhance food production in the country.

He commended WACOT for having faith in Kebbi State and Nigeria.