WACOT Rice Limited: boosting employment and promoting food security
The food security and youth employment initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria is receiving major support from the private sector with the establishment of a state-of-the-art rice processing mill by WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of the TGI Group. Located in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State along the Argungu- Sokoto Road; the […]
The food security and youth employment initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria is receiving major support from the private sector with the establishment of a state-of-the-art rice processing mill by WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of the TGI Group.
Located in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State along the Argungu- Sokoto Road; the N10 billion rice mill is part of WACOT’s expansion plan and has a 120,000 metric tonnes annual capacity.
The company targets a capacity increase to 500,000 metric tonnes per annum with additional rice plants over the next few years. The world-class rice mill is the first to be established during the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The WACOT Rice Mill has a fully equipped effluent and water treatment plant and is furnished with a captive power co-generation facility able to generate 1MW of electricity from rice husk to augment power requirements at the plant.
This is to ensure efficient utilization of all by-products of rice milling and ensure sustainable, environment-friendly operations at the plant.
Treated water released from the plant will be safe for re-use in irrigation of farms as well as for other agricultural purposes.
As one of the largest Agribusiness operators in Nigeria, WACOT Rice supports Nigeria’s objective of food self-sufficiency with significant investments in seed multiplication, out-grower farming, improved farming practices through its Yield Enhancement Techniques (YET) program, food processing and distribution.
It is expected that a large portion of the rice cultivated in Kebbi State will be processed within the state once the WACOT Rice Mill starts its full operations. In addition to producing premium quality rice comparable to any rice brand in the world. It is estimated that the mill will provide direct and indirect employment for about 3,500 people and over 55,000 farmers will have a ready market for their paddy.
Analysts estimate that WACOT’s efforts will save the country’s foreign exchange up to N12 billion annually.
The company continues to enjoy the encouragement and support of the government at all levels as well as the local population in its effort to enhance and stabilize food production in the country.