By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry, Mr. Linus Obeji, has explained why rice prices remain high in Ebonyi State, despite the state’s status as a major rice producer.
Mr. Obeji made this statement during an interaction with journalists at his office in Abakaliki. While acknowledging that rice prices at the mill are relatively lower compared to other states, he noted that they have not decreased as much as expected.
“The reality is that the cost of rice remains high due to several factors that are beyond our control,” Obeji said.
A major factor, according to Obeji, is the rising cost of agricultural inputs. “We don’t produce fertilizer here; it’s supplied by agrochemical companies. We also hire labor, and these costs contribute to the price of rice. As an off-taker, I don’t control the price—what the producer sells to me is what I pass on to my customers,” he explained.
Despite this, Obeji expressed optimism that government incentives have helped lower prices.
“Before, we were selling rice for between 35,000 to 38,000 Naira per bag. Now, prices have dropped to between 28,000 and 30,000 Naira, making rice one of the more affordable commodities in the country.”
“With continued government support, I believe the price of rice will reduce further,” he added.
SpringNews gathered that Abakaliki’s rice industry, though growing, still faces the challenge of relying on seasonal farming, which is highly dependent on weather conditions.
“We have already engaged with the government to move beyond seasonal farming and adopt all-year-round farming. They have promised to help us establish an irrigation system,” Obeji said.
“And with that, I believe Abakaliki Rice Mill will become a major player in food supply, not only in Nigeria but across Africa. We have all it takes to feed not only Nigeria but the entire African continent,” Obeji stated.
Obeji also credited the intervention of the Ebonyi State government, particularly Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, whose support for the rice industry has led to increased productivity, efficiency, and the eradication of dishonest measuring scales in the rice mill industry.
“We are happy for the achievement of restoring our normal measurements, which has brought back many of our customers and farmers. For the first time in the history of Abakaliki Rice Mill, we have also introduced social infrastructure, including a 15-bedroom toilet facility for our workers and customers,” he said.
“We have also attracted several incentives from IFAD, and for the first time, we now have a kitchen where visitors and millers can have breakfast and more,” Obeji added.
“We’ve brought civility to Abakaliki Rice Mill, unlike before when gangs and touts nearly took over the company,” he concluded.