UMAR UMB CALLS FOR STRONGER GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR TIAMIN RICE, SAYS COMPANY CAN DRIVE BAUCHI’S ECONOMIC GROWTH

 Software Developer, entrepreneur and media professional, Umar Umb, has called on the Bauchi State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to continue strengthening their support and partnership with Tiamin Rice Company Limited, describing the company as an important agricultural investment capable of contributing significantly to food security, employment generation and economic development.

Umar Umb made the call while highlighting the need for greater government-private sector collaboration in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in rice production and processing.

According to him, Tiamin Rice represents an investment whose potential goes beyond rice milling, as its activities can create opportunities for farmers, young people, traders, transporters, suppliers and other businesses within the agricultural value chain.

He urged the Bauchi State Government to continue creating an enabling environment for Tiamin Rice to expand its farming, processing and community-development activities, while also encouraging the Federal Government to provide the necessary policy, infrastructure and institutional support required for large-scale agricultural investments to thrive.

Available reports show that Tiamin has been involved in large-scale rice production and processing initiatives in Bauchi. The company has also been linked to a 10,000-hectare irrigation farm in Udubo, Gamawa Local Government Area, while its processing capacity has been expanded substantially.

More recently, Tiamin has been associated with a proposed 50,000-hectare rice cultivation project in Toro Local Government Area under the Federal Government’s Irrigate Nigeria Project, in partnership with the Bauchi State Government.

Umar Umb stressed that investments of this nature require sustained cooperation between government and the private sector, particularly where they have the potential to strengthen local production and create employment.

«“The government should continue to hold Tiamin Rice close as a strategic agricultural investment. Supporting the company is not simply about supporting a private business; it is about strengthening the agricultural value chain, creating opportunities for our people and contributing to food security and economic activity in Bauchi and Nigeria.”»

He further called for policies that would make it easier for agricultural companies to access infrastructure, financing, irrigation facilities, energy and other essential inputs needed to increase production.

Tiamin Rice has previously stated that its agricultural projects are intended to support large-scale rice production and employment. Earlier reports on its Bauchi operations also projected significant direct and indirect employment opportunities as production expands.

Umar Umb also appealed to stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of large-scale agricultural investments reach surrounding communities through employment, out-grower schemes, support for smallholder farmers, skills development and sustainable corporate social responsibility programmes.

He maintained that Bauchi State has significant agricultural potential and that strategic investments in rice production could contribute to reducing dependence on food imports, improving local economic activity and strengthening livelihoods.

He therefore encouraged the Bauchi State Government, Federal Government, financial institutions and private investors to continue working together with Tiamin Rice and other credible agricultural companies in order to unlock the full potential of the sector.

“When government creates the right environment and responsible private investors bring capital, technology and expertise, the greatest beneficiaries should ultimately be the people,” Umar Umb said.

Insight Tribune News, Abuja, Nigeria