Nigeria is now the largest producer of rice in Africa , the Federal Government said on Tuesday .
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , Sabo Nanono, said this in Abuja at an event to mark the 2020 World Food Day , celebrated annually on October 16 .
Nanono said , “Significant progress has been made to improve agricultural productivity since the inception of the present administration .
“To boost food security , Nigeria has curbed imports and has established a robust rice production programme to encourage more rice production at home.
“Efforts in this direction are starting to show results as Nigeria is now Africa ’s largest producer of rice . The country is also the largest producer of cassava in the world . ”
The minister said a range of policies and initiatives to strengthen the rice and cassava value chains had been put in place .
According to him, the economic potential of both livestock and fisheries are also being harnessed .
Nanono stated that in an attempt to diversify the economy , the Federal Government had continued with its focus on the agricultural sector .
“The government has deepened the culture with the Anchor Borrowers Programme initiative and ban on the importation of some agro -commodities ,” he said .
The minister further stated that the Federal Government through the Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support project had set aside N 600 bn as loan support to farmers across the country .
He said no fewer than 2 .4 million farmers were expected to benefit from the loan which had zero interest.