Zuma Foods Processing and Farms, has launched its Rice Mill to further increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product thereby boost economic growth.
The Chairman, Zuma Foods Processing and Farms, Paul Alaje addressing newsmen during the unveiling in Abuja on Friday, stated that the product will fill the premium gap in Nigeria’s rice market.
Alaje expressed optimism that the product will boost Nigeria’s economy as well as create employment for Nigerians, adding that the “Queen’s Delight”, one of the varieties which is long grains, is hygienic and will compete with top products in the Nigerian market.
According to him, Zuma Foods is set to come out with 1200 50kg bags daily to reduce the pressure on the availability of rice.
He said, “Zuma Rice is coming to fill the premium gap. When you look at the rice market it is divided into premium and the general market, it is coming to fill the premium gap even though we have a less premium product.
“We are launching today with ‘Queen’s Delight’, which is long grain, delicious and we strongly believe that with 1200 50kg capacity of Zuma rice a day, we can help reduce the pressure on the availability of rice because we are going to increase supply.
“With our price very competitive, having seen what top 3 producers are doing, we have better products to bring to the market. It is purely mechanised from beginning to the end, you don’t need to touch the rice, and it is also very hygienic.
“We strongly believe that it is going to help reduce unemployment, it is going to help boost the GDP which is one of the things we are struggling with in our country today. Most importantly we are going to help with food in our country. The quality is topnotch and we have seen the number of people who have purchased and they have recommended so we keep getting referrals from people after consumption on a wholesale basis.
“1200 bags is 2 trailers coming out of Abuja every day. People have seen Abuja as the city center but now they are realising that you can do production in the city of Abuja. I want to encourage people from all over to take the opportunity that Abuja offers them and to keep pushing for the product everywhere.”
In his remarks, the Executive secretary of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Olalekan Edunjobi commended the management and staff of Zuma Foods for the efforts put in ensuring such a laudable project.
Edunjobi expressed optimism that with the large size of the rice industry, the coming of Zuma Rice would benefit the over 200 million Nigerian populace.
“I must confess to you that the rice industry is a massive one and going by the fact that Nigeria has a population of over 200 million, the coming in of Zuma Foods will mean a lot to the Nigerian populace at large. We have been Campaigning for made-in-Nigeria goods and this is a good one, it is going to add value to the Nigerian economy.
“It is sufficient to say that they need support and in the Manufacturing Association Nigeria we want to give adequate support because the demand for rice, particularly in this part of the world is huge and the demand is increasing by the day so I think there is need to give them adequate support because the market is a sizeable one,” he said.
