By Christopher Tom, Uyo
The Head of Station at the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Uyo Station, Dr. Jimmy Edet, has appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to support the establishment of a rice processing mill in the state. The proposed initiative is a collaborative effort between NCRI and the Akwa Ibom State Peculiar Ibom Integrated Farmers Cooperative Association (AKPIIFA).
Dr. Edet made the appeal during the flag-off ceremony of the first batch of training for 3,100 trainees under the AKPIIFA/NCRI Arise Farm programme in Uyo.
According to him, the establishment of a rice mill would significantly boost employment opportunities for youths and enhance internally generated revenue for the state.
He explained that the rice consumption demand in Akwa Ibom stands at approximately 350,000 metric tons annually, needed to feed over 7 million residents. However, current local production is only about 80,000 metric tons, leaving a demand gap of over 270,000 metric tons. He stressed that bridging this gap requires urgent government intervention.
“The government’s support for the AKPIIFA/NCRI Arise Farm would not only close the rice production deficit but also enable us to build animal pens, install solar panels, and drill boreholes for irrigation across different farm sites. This would support all-season farming and enhance food security,” Edet said.
Also speaking at the event, the President-General of AKPIIFA, Elder Etoro-Abasi Samson Ekpo, said their goal is to make Akwa Ibom the food basket of the nation. He commended NCRI for initiating a programme aimed at training farmers in modern agricultural techniques that meet international standards.
Elder Ekpo urged the state government to assist with critical farm infrastructure, including tractors, irrigation systems, and boreholes, to enable farmers achieve large-scale production and ensure food sufficiency.
He noted, “We are committed to not just feeding Akwa Ibom, but transforming it into a major agricultural hub for Nigeria. With the right support, we can achieve this vision in no distant time.”
The training programme marks the beginning of
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