In a bid to fight hunger and malnutrition, the Lagos State government recently launched a rice fortification plant to address rising malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in the state.
The rice fortification plant was launched at the Rice Mill, Imota, Ikorodu, by Oluwarotimi Fashola, special adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture, says the rice fortification plant will help the country address micronutrient deficiency.
Fashola stated the importance of fortified rice as a crucial element to combat micronutrient deficiencies, as the grain is the most consumed staple in the state and across the country.
“In our continuous effort to improve, I’m pleased to announce that our mill has been optimised to produce high-quality fortified rice,” he said.
“This achievement positions us among the very few rice mills in Nigeria with the capacity to fortify rice with essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, folic acid, and Vitamins B1, B3, B6, and B12,” Fashola noted.
“By fortifying our rice, we are not only meeting the demand for rice in the country, but we are also addressing the pressing issue of malnutrition, which remains a challenge for many Nigerians,” he added.
Speaking further, he said, Lagos is proud to be part of the solution by improving the nutritional quality of food available to the people, especially children.
He appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and for making Lagos home to one of the largest rice mills in Africa, equipped with state-of-the-art milling technology and expert knowledge.
Also speaking at the the launch, Ayodele Tella, LSFF portfolio lead, TechnoServe, said a consortium called Partners for Supporting Fortification Rice Production in Nigeria, including the Gates Foundation, World Food Programme, partnered with the state in launching the rice fortification plant.
She noted that the aim of the consortium is to ensure that the average Lagosian and Nigerian have access to fortified rice to address the country’s high micronutrient deficiency.
Also, the permanent secretary at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Emmanuel Audu said Lagos has taken strategic steps to ensure food security and sustainability.
“This rice mill is known as the Rolls-Royce of all rice mills globally.” “We thank Gov. Sanwo-Olu for investing so much in terms of resources and oversight to ensure that this rice mill remains top-notch and remains number one.”
He noted that the launch of the fortification plant is another milestone and that the state will not rest on its oars but will continue to strive for excellence in every form and sector of the economy.
He urged Lagosians to patronise the three varieties of rice produced by the state – fortified rice, the classic rice, and eko rice, saying they are top-quality brands that provide the necessary daily nutritional requirements.
This latest move by the Lagos State government, along with similar sustained projects, will further enhance food security in Nigeria and help fight hunger and malnutrition.
In a bid to fight hunger and malnutrition, the Lagos State government recently launched a rice fortification plant to address rising malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in the state.
The rice fortification plant was launched at the Rice Mill, Imota, Ikorodu, by Oluwarotimi Fashola, special adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture, says the rice fortification plant will help the country address micronutrient deficiency.
Fashola stated the importance of fortified rice as a crucial element to combat micronutrient deficiencies, as the grain is the most consumed staple in the state and across the country.
“In our continuous effort to improve, I’m pleased to announce that our mill has been optimised to produce high-quality fortified rice,” he said.
“This achievement positions us among the very few rice mills in Nigeria with the capacity to fortify rice with essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, folic acid, and Vitamins B1, B3, B6, and B12,” Fashola noted.
“By fortifying our rice, we are not only meeting the demand for rice in the country, but we are also addressing the pressing issue of malnutrition, which remains a challenge for many Nigerians,” he added.
Speaking further, he said, Lagos is proud to be part of the solution by improving the nutritional quality of food available to the people, especially children.
He appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and for making Lagos home to one of the largest rice mills in Africa, equipped with state-of-the-art milling technology and expert knowledge.
Also speaking at the the launch, Ayodele Tella, LSFF portfolio lead, TechnoServe, said a consortium called Partners for Supporting Fortification Rice Production in Nigeria, including the Gates Foundation, World Food Programme, partnered with the state in launching the rice fortification plant.
She noted that the aim of the consortium is to ensure that the average Lagosian and Nigerian have access to fortified rice to address the country’s high micronutrient deficiency.
Also, the permanent secretary at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Emmanuel Audu said Lagos has taken strategic steps to ensure food security and sustainability.
“This rice mill is known as the Rolls-Royce of all rice mills globally.” “We thank Gov. Sanwo-Olu for investing so much in terms of resources and oversight to ensure that this rice mill remains top-notch and remains number one.”
He noted that the launch of the fortification plant is another milestone and that the state will not rest on its oars but will continue to strive for excellence in every form and sector of the economy.
He urged Lagosians to patronise the three varieties of rice produced by the state – fortified rice, the classic rice, and eko rice, saying they are top-quality brands that provide the necessary daily nutritional requirements.
This latest move by the Lagos State government, along with similar sustained projects, will further enhance food security in Nigeria and help fight hunger and malnutrition.
By Lanre Shodimu
