The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, the Bank of Agriculture and other stakeholders in the rice value chain have called for a unified agricultural data system to address inconsistencies in production figures and improve rice production in the country.

The call was made at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja during the launch of the North-West Rice Diagnostic Report.

Participants identified unreliable data, insecurity, inadequate financing and poor coordination among government institutions as major challenges affecting the rice sector.

NGF Director-General, Abdulateef Shittu, said Nigeria produces about 3.3 million metric tonnes of rice annually, against an estimated consumption of 8.6 million tonnes, leaving a significant supply gap.

He stressed the need for improved data collection, effective policy coordination and increased investment, noting that Nigeria has the potential to become a major rice exporter to African countries and parts of Europe.

Shittu explained that the Forum was working with state governments to strengthen their bureaux of statistics and improve the reliability of agricultural data through quarterly engagements.

He added that accurate information from state and local government levels would help address inconsistencies in national production figures and support effective agricultural planning.