The stage is set for a three-day fair targeted at boosting Nigeria’s quest to attain self-sufficiency in rice production and processing. Organised by Growth and Employment in States – Wholesale and Retail Sector (GEMS4), with funding by DFID/UKaid and the World Bank, the Lagos Rice Fair is coming after the successful Kano Rice Fair.

The Lagos fair is billed to take place at the Lagos Television Ground, Alausa, Lagos, from today to Saturday.

The fair with theme, Growing Business Opportunities with Nigerian rice, will provide a platform to the general public to experience firsthand the quality of Nigerian rice, and the business community on the huge opportunities in wholesale and retail distribution of the products.

According to the organisers, the stimulation of market system changes will encourage growth and access; resulting in the creation of 10,000 new jobs and increased incomes for over 500,000 people, especially the poor and women in the rice value chain.

The project will be implemented in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Cross River states, though interventions will be extended to other states where impact can be maximised.

The Lagos fair will have in attendance over 13 major Nigerian rice brands. The initiative will give further impetus to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to attain rice sufficiency through building local capacity in rice production.

“Stimulating effective demand and consumption for Nigerian rice brands,” says Busuyi Okeowo, GEMS4 Senior Intervention Manager, “is crucial for food security and self-sufficiency.”

•Photo shows rice on sale at a Nigerian market.