Twelve top Universities in Africa including University of Port Harcourt are collaborating in a project to improve rice value chain, increase production of the commodity and ensure food security on the continent.
The initiative which was formally launched at the University of Port Harcourt on Thursday 29th May, 2025 is tagged; Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development, TAGDev 2.0.
The 10 year plan is aimed at transforming rice value chain by creating more jobs, more entrepreneurs, and also enhance the capacity of farmers in the process.
TAGDev 2.0 is also aimed at expanding agricultural education in Africa by strengthening Universities, Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions to serve their various communities better.
Agricultural experts who witnessed the formal launch of the initiative at the University of Port Harcourt said the idea will also help to move rice farming from the current subsistent state in most African countries to a more lucrative business.
Project coordinator, Professor Ibisime Etela while speaking on why the initiative is targeted at the rice value chain, pointed out that rice has a lot of potentials which when fully harnessed will reduce the level of hunger and food shortage in Africa.
He stated that the program which is being sponsored by Mastercard, is as a result of the success story of TAGDev 1. 0 which had only 2 Universities in Africa as participants has now been expanded to accommodate 10 more Universities across Africa.
A representative of University of Nigeria Nsukka one of the institutions working with the University of Port Harcourt on the initiative, Prof Anthonia-Ifeyinwa Achike said her University has already developed a smart way of rice farming, aimed at making it more attractive for the youths using technology, while the National President, Agricultural Policy Research Network, APRENet Professor Anthony Onoja, explained that research has shown that the quest for food security will be achieved if Africa gets it right in rice production and rice value chain.
Also at the formal launch and sensitization for TADev2.0 was a member of the Cross River Rice Millers Association, Mr. Dine Dumbari who appreciated the initiative, saying that although rice has the potential to fight hunger in Nigeria and Africa, government is yet to help the rice farmers with vital incentives.
Earlier in a remark, the Chief Host and Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Georgewill Owunari, charged both the experts and agricultural students especially those in the University of Port Harcourt to make the best out of the opportunity provided by the initiative.
He said that the TAGDev 2.0 package comes with lots of opportunities like scholarships and others which the school should advantage of.
TAGDev 2.0 is expected to be an all inclusive project, with special targets for women, youths, persons with disabilities, internally displaced person as well as indegent students.
Source: Kingsley Izejiobi, FRCN Port Harcourt
