Business
THE Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has urged investors in the country to invest massively in the rice value chain in Ebonyi.
The Director General of the council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike– Muonso made the call on Wednesday at an investors value chain development summit in Abakaliki.
Ike-Muonso said the council recognised the huge rice potentials in Ebonyi which required massive investment to make the state meet local and national needs for the produce.
“”We are desirous to create a conducive environment for investors within and outside Nigeria to tap effectively from this opportunity.
“Ebonyi has consistently played a significant role in rice production in Nigeria and this has impacted positively on the state’s and nation’s economy, ” he said.
He reiterated the council’s commitment to drive the nation’s economy through value addition in raw materials and conversion of waste to weath.
The Ebonyi Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief Nnanna Elechi, said the summit was apt, noting that Ebonyi’s agricultural potentials extended beyond rice production.
Elechi said the theme of the summit “Exploiting Investment Opportunities in the Rice Value Chain in Ebonyi” vividly captured the state’s strategic placement in the country’s rice production value chain.
“The state under the people-oriented leadership of Gov. Francis Nwifuru, has numerous technological innovations, which have been introduced to boost rice and general agricultural production.
“This event provides a platform to connect farmers with offtakers and expose them to new initiatives in rice production,” he said.
Dr Stephen Odoh, Director-General of the Ebonyi Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EBSMEDA) said the state was one of the safest in the country which enabled businesses to thrive.
Odoh, who was the event’s Keynote Speaker, said investors are assured of secure environment to invest with confidence and high expectations for returns.
“Gov. Nwifuru has created an enabling environment for Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.
“The governor realises that promoting SMEs is a key to curbing crime and we call on the Bank of Industry (BOI) to provide accessible loans to farmers for increased agricultural production,” he said.
The State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mrs Nnenna Agbafor thanked participants for their resilience and dedication to rice production.
Agbafor noted that the summit focused on waste-to-wealth initiatives, financial support, modern processing technologies among other benefits.
Miss Irene Okafor, a Participant at the summit pledged to use the knowledge gained to increase her rice production capabilities. (NAN)
Tags: Investment in Ebonyi Rice RMDRDC