Odita Sunday 
Stakeholders Highlight Ebonyi Rice Value Chain as Prime Investment Destination
Nnenna Mba- Abakaliki
Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector have called on investors to channel resources into the rice value chain in Ebonyi State, citing its strong potential for profitability and economic transformation.
The appeal was made at the Investors’ Value Chain Development Programme held at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, where industry players, policymakers, and development partners gathered to explore opportunities within the sector.
The programme, convened by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in partnership with the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency and other collaborators, focused on strengthening linkages across the rice production and processing chain.
Delivering his address, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Nnanna Elechi, noted that Ebonyi has built a strong reputation as a major rice-producing state.
He explained that ongoing reforms and innovations introduced under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru are designed to scale up production and attract both local and foreign investors.
Elechi added that the initiative is not only about production but also about creating a functional market system where farmers can easily connect with buyers and investors.
In a goodwill message, the Director-General of RMRDC, Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, stressed the need to move beyond primary production to value addition. He described the programme as a critical step toward converting agricultural raw materials into finished products that can compete in broader markets.
Also speaking, the Director-General of EBSMEDA, Stephen I. Odoh, assured participants of a stable and secure investment climate in the state. He maintained that strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) would not only stimulate economic growth but also help address unemployment and insecurity.
Odoh further urged the Bank of Industry to expand its financial support to farmers and agribusiness operators, noting that access to affordable credit remains a major driver of increased productivity.
Providing technical insight, rice processing specialist, Tony Monueke, detailed the stages involved in modern rice processing, emphasizing quality control and standardization as essential for competitiveness. He called for deliberate policies that would encourage large-scale production to meet the country’s rising demand for rice.
Earlier, the RMRDC State Coordinator, Nnenna Agbafor, welcomed participants and encouraged them to take full advantage of the programme. She noted that the initiative offers practical solutions, including access to funding, modern technologies, and strategies for turning agricultural waste into economic value.
About the Author
