Two Kano-based rice processors, Didi Rice Limited and Kura Brothers Limited, have launched their whole grain rice products, expanding access to locally produced nutritious rice for households and institutional buyers.
The products were introduced with support from TechnoServe Nigeria under the West African Fortified Parboiled Unpolished Rice (WAFPUR) Project. The launch event in Kano brought together government officials, private-sector representatives, development organisations, traditional and religious leaders, consumer protection agencies and officials from the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
The move comes amid rising concerns over nutrition and the need for healthier food options. Stakeholders described the introduction of whole grain rice as timely in tackling malnutrition and promoting better dietary choices.
Hajiya Umma Dalhatu, Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Budget and Planning, praised the processors. “The launch of whole grain rice is timely, particularly in addressing the burden of malnutrition. We commend the processors for taking this important step and encourage continued collaboration to make nutritious food more accessible,” she said.
Both companies shared their experiences of meeting regulatory requirements, including product registration and certification by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Through the WAFPUR Project, TechnoServe provided continuous training, technical assistance and capacity building to help the processors master whole grain production and move from product development to commercialisation.
Ayo Tella, Portfolio Lead for Large Scale Food Fortification at TechnoServe, congratulated the firms. “What we are celebrating today is the commitment of local processors to take what they have learned, build their capacity and turn it into products that consumers can access. We are proud to have supported Didi Rice and Kura Brothers on this journey,” he said.
Alhaji Misbahu Lawal Didi, Chief Executive Officer of Didi Farms Limited, called the launch a major milestone. He noted that whole grain processing allows local millers to meet growing nutritional demands while strengthening regional agricultural value chains.
The event also featured a market-linkage session where distributors, institutional buyers and other stakeholders expressed interest in the products. Commitments exceeded 600 bags of whole grain rice, with additional interest from potential distributors and institutional buyers.
For Didi Rice Limited and Kura Brothers Limited, the launch marks a key step in meeting rising demand for nutritious food options through locally produced whole grain rice.
