Advertisement Advertisement AdvertisementThe government of Japan on Monday provided about 587 million Japanese yen, equivalent to 3.5 million US Dollars, to strengthen rice seed production and boost agriculture and Nigeria’s food security. He described the intervention as timely and strategic, saying it would strengthen rice seed production and mechanisation while addressing critical gaps in the rice value chain. He added that JICA was also implementing the Capacity Development for Enhancement of Rice Seed Production in Nigeria project to strengthen institutions and stakeholders involved in rice seed multiplication, quality control and seed management. Umaru Bago of Niger, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to initiatives aimed at boosting rice seed production and food security. Earlier, Dr Mohammed Ndagi-Ishaq, Executive Director, NCRI, said the project had significantly enhanced the institute’s capacity for rice seed production.