By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Limited, a leading Chinese food processing company, aimed at enhancing the rice value chain and boosting food production in the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, currently in China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), witnessed the signing of the MoU on Wednesday. The Lagos State delegation, led by the governor, is exploring agricultural partnerships to improve the state’s food security.
Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture (Rice Mill Initiative), signed the agreement on behalf of the Lagos State Government, while Mr. Wang Wei, Group Director of the Rice Industry Division at Yihai Kerry Arawana, represented the Chinese company. The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Prashant Trikha, Group Head of Rice at Wilmar Group.
This partnership aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s commitment to improving agricultural output and securing food sustainability in Lagos. The state has already established a 32-metric-tonne-per-hour rice mill in Imota to meet the growing demand for rice.
Yihai Kerry Arawana, one of China’s largest food processors, operates an integrated rice business, from cultivation to distribution, and is expected to contribute significantly to Lagos State’s agricultural revolution.
