Nigeria’s rice Mills acquires 30,000 hectares of land for rice cultivation in Benin Republic

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi

  The General Manager of the company, whose headquater is located in Kebbi state, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru confirmed this in statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

   According to him, “a total of 30,000 hectares of farm land are being made available in Benin Republic for Labana Rice Mills for cultivation of rice.

In addition, before the land is sorted out, the company will finance farmers in the country through the Government to produce 20,000 metric tones of paddy Rice in 2022 dry season farming”.

  Zurun explained that, “these resolutions were made during a joint meeting of Beninous Government’s officials with Labana Rice Mills delegation at Contonou, the Country’s capital last weekend”.

  He said that, the meeting with the Labana delegation, was led by its Chairman, Abubakar Abbah Adamu Aliero  which was chaired by the Minister of Agriculture of Benin Republic, Mr. Gaston Dossouhoui.

  Zuru quoted the Minister of Benin Republic to have disclosed that, ” the decision of the government to provide the farmland to Labana Rice Mills was part of the partnership arrangement which was informed by the report from the committee that visited Labana Rice Mills and Labana Rice farm in Kebbi State”.

   “The report has convinced the government of Benin Republic that Labana Rice Mills has the capacity to be a reliable partner in agriculture”, he said.

In his brief remarks,  the Chairman of Labana Rice Mills , Abubakar Abbah Adamu Aliero  expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence the government has in Labana Rice Mills and indeed the government and people of Nigeria.

He also thanked the Minister of Benin Republic for approving the production of 20,000 metric tones of paddy Rice  through the agency in 2022 dry season farming, while the 30,000 hectares are being sorted out.

 Zuru added that, ” at the end of the meeting, the Minister directed the delegation to the headquarters of the country’s Agricultural Development Agency at Malaviel for the conclusion of the arrangement.

  “At the Malaviel,  the Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Dansou worked- out  arrangement for the 20,000 metric tones production and provision of the farmland. Thereafter, part of the farmland to be provided to Labana Rice Mills was shown to the delegation by the Director-General at Malaviel”, he said.