A Nigerian agriculture-focused company, A.R.N Foods Limited, has teamed up with multinational manufacturer AGI Milltec to establish a rice mill in Epe, Lagos State.
The Chairman of A.R.N Foods, Nola Adetola, formalized an agreement with AGI Milltec on Friday in Lagos for the construction of the rice mill, which will have a production capacity of 8 tons per hour.
The rice mill represents A.R.N Foods’ entry into the food processing sector, underscoring its dedication to quality, sustainability, and food security, according to the company.
Adetola highlighted the partnership as a step towards addressing Nigeria’s food challenges.
He said, “We did not want to just produce rice for one year or two; we wanted something that would stay.
“We went with a company that had a history of doing it before, and we wanted to grow with them. We went with Milltec to grow with them.”
The chairman of A.R.N Foods stated that the collaboration with AGI Milltec was motivated by a vision that goes beyond profit, aiming to make a difference by generating employment opportunities.
The chairman of A.R.N Foods stated that the collaboration with AGI Milltec was motivated by a vision that goes beyond profit, aiming to make a difference by generating employment opportunities.
Two years after rebranding as a food processing company, A.R.N Foods distributed various staple commodities, such as paddy rice, maize, soybeans, and sorghum, stated Chief Operating Officer Muhuydeen Giwa.
Giwa characterized the company as a comprehensive trading and processing enterprise dedicated to delivering high-quality and reasonably priced agricultural products.
He stated that the two companies formed their partnership to grow and address issues related to food shortages.
“You realise that it’s not that the rice mill has not been in existence, but because we are partnering with AGI Milltec, we believe that we will be able to reduce our costs, enhance the quality, and provide accessibility of this process, product, all year round,” Giwa added.
Emmanuel del Pozzo, the Africa Regional Head of AGI Milltech, stated that the manufacturing company offers the same level of expertise and quality in foreign rice that Nigerians are accustomed to.
Del Pozzo mentioned that the company plans to collaborate closely with the Cremona construction firm, whose Managing Director, Guido Firetti, has committed to offering technical assistance to AGI Milltec for their Nigerian projects.
Firetti praised the rice mill initiative, noting its commendable nature, and assured that his company would ensure it is completed on schedule.
Vincent Matthews, the Business Development Manager for AGI Milltec in Nigeria, stated that the proposed Epe Rice mill has been tailored specifically for the varieties of paddy grown in Nigeria.
Matthews said, “We already know the benchmark quality that Mr Nola is looking for. This plant is going to be able to, I should say, achieve the quality levels that he is expecting.”
“And Mr. Nola has a vision that he wants to be able to export in the future. So, this plant should be able to capture both of them together.”
The PUNCH
