Rice production: Japan-funded proderip faces smuggling challenges

The Rainfed Rice Development Project (Proderip) financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Cameroon is facing smuggling issues. Official data indicate that a large portion of the project’s production is smuggled into Nigeria. “We don’t know the exact volume of the local production that goes to Nigeria illegally. The Semry (operated by Yagoua Rice Expansion and Modernization Company) and Undva (operated by the Upper Noun Development Valley Authority) production basins are both affected. Since the two companies that operate them are unable to absorb the whole production, speculators see an opportunity to smuggle large quantities to Nigeria. That’s…