West African nation Nigeria has overtaken North African counterpart Egypt as Africa's largest producer of rice. During an interview by The Nation (Nigeria), the Director-General of the Africa Rice Center, Benin Republic, Dr Harold Roy-Macauley revealed Nigeria - Africa's fastest growing economy 2019 - produces 4 million tonnes annually. Local production of rice in Nigeria saved the federal government $800 million in 2018, disclosed Bank of Agriculture (BoA). Africa produces an average of 14.6 million tonnes of rough rice annually. Hunger won't keep Oserian children out of school - The ExchangeAlso, according to him, the African rice value chain needs to be better integrated and be capable of competing with imported rice in terms of quality.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 21, 2019 08:26 UTC