Nasarawa’s rice revolution under Governor Sule

By Ali Abare

It is no longer news that the price of food, especially the common rice that graces nearly every dinner table in Nigeria, has been a source of worry for many families.

But in Nasarawa State, a different story is unfolding, one that promises to bring relief and hope.

The administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule has taken the bull by the horns, moving beyond just talking about food security to getting its hands dirty in the soil.

The state government decided to go directly into the business of large-scale rice farming, a move that is now yielding impressive results and showing a clear path forward for the entire country.

This bold journey began with a clear vision. The government looked at the vast, fertile lands across the state and saw a golden opportunity. The initial plan was massive, targeting a total of 10,000 hectares of land for cultivation. But like any wise farmer, the state government started with a manageable plot to test the waters.

The first step was the cultivation of 2,000 hectares of land in Jangwa, located in Awe Local Government Area. This was the pilot scheme, the proof of concept. The success of this first venture was crucial.

When the time for harvest came, the fields of Jangwa yielded a bountiful harvest, so much so that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, traveled to the state to see it for himself. He stood in the storage facilities and witnessed the bags of harvested paddy rice, a testament to the state’s commitment.

This was not just a photo opportunity; it was a national endorsement. That harvested rice did not go to waste. It was sold to Olam Rice Company, a major player in the food industry, for processing. This meant that the rice from Nasarawa’s fields was cleaned, packaged, and sent to markets across Nigeria, directly reaching consumers.

Encouraged by the success and the volume of rice produced from the initial 2,000 hectares, the state government did not rest on its laurels. They immediately expanded the project. An additional 1,300 hectares were brought under cultivation in Ayarkeke.

This expansion brought the total area under the state’s direct rice farming to 3,300 hectares. This is a huge expanse of land dedicated solely to producing food for the nation.

Recently, during a meeting of the State Executive Council, Governor Abdullahi Sule made a happy announcement. The rice on this expanded farm is now mature, lush, and ready for another round of harvesting.

In his characteristic hands-on style, the Governor announced that he would personally visit the farm to assess the readiness for harvest himself. This personal touch shows a leader who is not just giving orders from his office but is deeply connected to the projects that affect his people.

The innovation of the Governor Sule administration, however, goes far beyond one large rice farm in Jangwa and Ayarkeke. The governor understands that for true transformation to occur, every part of the state must be involved.

This is why he is cascading this successful model down to all the thirteen local government areas in the state. Each council has been encouraged to identify a crop where they have a competitive advantage. One local government might focus on yam, another on cassava, another on maize, and so on.

This smart approach ensures that every part of the state is productive based on what their soil does best. To make this a reality, the state government did not just give instructions.

They provided concrete support. Each local government area received a number of tractors in advance to help with land preparation. They were also given quality seeds and other necessary farm inputs to ensure a good harvest. This removed the initial financial burden from the councils and set them up for success.

Furthermore, in a masterstroke of financial engineering, Governor Sule gave approval for the local governments to use part of the extra money they now receive as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy for this agricultural project.

This means that the funds meant to help the people at the grassroots are being channelled directly into a project that will feed them and create wealth. This decision ensures sustainability for the project.

The state government has also promised to strictly supervise the use of these resources to ensure that the money is used for the intended purpose and that the projects are successful. This end-to-end support, from providing tools to funding and supervision, is a model that other states would do well to copy.

When you look at this initiative from a broader perspective, it is clear that what Governor Sule is doing in Nasarawa State is a perfect match for the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in the area of agriculture and food security.

The federal government’s agenda emphasizes the need for states to take the lead in boosting local production to feed the nation. Nasarawa State is not just waiting to be directed; it is leading by example.

It is, therefore, no surprise that the federal government took note and selected Nasarawa State as one of the few states to implement a special agricultural programme for food security. This federal recognition is a big vote of confidence in the state’s approach and its capacity to deliver.

As the state prepares for this second harvest from its 3,300-hectare rice farm, the excitement is palpable. The real winners are Nigerian consumers. While the exact number of bags from the upcoming harvest will be known after the governor’s assessment and the actual harvest, the output from the initial 2,000 hectares was substantial.

With a 50 percent increase in cultivated land, the number of bags of rice that will be ploughed into the market is expected to be significantly higher. This increased supply from a source like a state government is instrumental to combating the high cost of food. It puts more rice in the market, creates competition, and can help to stabilise and even bring down prices for everyone.

This is a time to celebrate a leader who has demonstrated not just innovation in governance, but the rare commitment to see his vision become a reality that puts food on the tables of the people. Governor Sule is showing that with political will and a clear plan, Nigeria can indeed feed itself.

Abare is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule.