INTRODUCTION

Everyone knows that rice farming is an important sector of the economy of

Nigeria. Due to urbanization,
change in employment patterns, rapid population growth, change in diets of
Nigerians on account of income
expansion, rice has become a staple food to the average Nigerian leading
to an increase in the demand –
standing at an annual growth rate of about five percent.
Annually, Nigerians consume around 5.5 million tonnes of rice, of which 3.6
million tonnes are locally
produced – mostly by farmers for personal consumption. Currently, we
spend roughly ₦365bn per year
importing the remaining 1.9 million tonnes, because local production is
unable to satisfy the huge demand
for rice in Nigeria. This figure also makes Nigeria the world’s largest
importer of rice. So there is a genuine
demand, and genuine opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses in
Nigeria.
Considering the fact that Nigeria has a huge market for rice, youths have
the chance to invest in the farming,
processing, and sale of rice. One can equip business to cultivate and
harvest rice, construct rice mills for
milling and processing, or working within wholesale distribution. The
avenues and opportunities are
endless.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rite Rice Farm Enterprise is a recognized crop production and processing
farm to be located in Etsako
West, Edo State – Nigeria. We have done our detailed market research
and feasibility studies and we were
able to secure a well – situated and suitable farm land to start our
commercial rice farming business.
Our commercial rice farming business is a going to be standard commercial
rice farm hence will be involved
in both commercial rice cultivation and processing and packaging of rice.
We will be involved in both
organic commercial rice farming and non – organic commercial rice
farming.
We have put plans in place that will help us launch a standard rice
processing and packaging farm within
the first three years. We will process and package rice and ensure that they
are supplied to Nigerian markets.
We want to compete favorably in the market, which is why we’ve secured
ten (10) acres of farming land.
We are looking forward to securing most of the farming equipment and
machines and hired experienced
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farmers so as to be able to fit into the ideal picture of the 21st century
commercial rice farming and rice
processing and packaging workforce that we want to build.
We are in the commercial rice farming business because we want to
leverage on the vast opportunities
available in the commercial farming industry, to contribute our quota in
growing the Nigeria economy, in
national food production, raw materials production for industries, to export
agriculture produce to other
countries and over and above to make profit.
Rite Rice Farm Enterprise is well positioned to become one of the leading
commercial rice farms in the
Nigeria, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands to
work with. We have put process
and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it
comes to commercial rice farming
and rice processing and packaging as necessary.
PRODUCT OFFERING
Rite Rice Farm Enterprise is a world class commercial farm that is
committed to cultivating both organic
and non – organic rice for the Nigerian market and the global market
(processed and packaged rice).
We are in business to produce food and raw materials for people and
industries in commercial quantities.
We will also ensure that we operate a standard rice processing and
packaging plant as part of our
complimentary business.
We are in this line of business to make profits, and we will ensure that we
do all that is allowed by the law
of Nigeria to achieve our business goals and objectives. These are the
areas we will concentrate on in our
commercial rice farming business. If need arises we will definitely cultivate
related crops;
 Cultivation of short-grain rice, medium-grain rice and long-grain rice
(organic and non – organic)
 Standard rice processing plant (rice production and packaging)
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MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
 Our Vision is to become one of the leading commercial rice farms and rice
processing and packing
brand not just in Nigeria but also on the global stage.
 Rite Rice Farm Enterprise is a world class commercial rice farms that is in
business to cultivate
rice in commercial quantities both organic and non – organic and process
and package rice for both
the Nigeria market and the international market.
 We want our well – packaged rice to flood every nooks and crannies of
Nigeria and other countries
of the world.
Sponsorship
The farm is financed and owned by Hanny Abubakar and family along with
a group of investors,
shareholders and bank loans. The farm is directed and managed by Hanny
Abubakar, who has extensive
knowledge in the field of rice farming and production. Other experienced
agro-allied specialists were also
hired.
BUSINESS STRUCTURE
Rite Rice Farm Enterprise is a commercial rice farm that intend starting
small in Jattu-Edo state, but hopes
to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading commercial rice
farms in the commercial farming
industry both in Nigeria and on a global stage.
We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that
can support the picture of the
kind of world class business we want to own which is why we are
committed to only hiring the best hands
in and around Nigeria.
Rite Rice Farm Enterprise, we will ensure that we hire people that are
qualified, hardworking, dedicated,
customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous
business that will benefit all the stake
holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).
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As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all
our senior management staff
and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more
as agreed by the management
of the farm. In view of the above, Rite Rice Farm Enterprise have decided
to hire qualified and competent
hands to occupy the following positions;
 Chief Operating Officer
 General Farm Manager
 Administrator / Accountant
 Rice Cultivation Manager / Supervisor
 Rice Processing and Packaging Manager
 Sales and Marketing Executive
 Field Employees
 Front Desk Officer
Job Roles and Responsibilities
Chief Operating Officer:
 Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
 Evaluates the success of the organization
 Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting,
training, coaching,
counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies,
and objectives; assigning
accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results;
developing incentives;
developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing
educational opportunities.
 Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision,
mission, and overall direction –
i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall
organization’s strategy.
General Farm Manager
 Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient
resources (manpower,
equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests
involved are satisfied.
 Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
 Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
 Oversees the smooth running of the daily farming activities across the
various farming sections.
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Administrator / Accountant
 Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
 Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial
statements for the organization
 Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
 Handles all financial transactions for the company
 Serves as internal auditor for the company
Rice Cultivation Manager / Supervisor
 Responsible for managing the rice cultivation section of the commercial
rice farm
 Supervises other workers within the department
 Works closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’
goals and objectives
Rice Production Manager / Supervisor
 Responsible for managing the rice processing and packaging(rice
production) section of the
commercial rice farm
 Supervises other workers within the department
 Works closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’
goals and objectives
Sales and Marketing Officer
 Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business
opportunities et al
 Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads
and contacts; participates
in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of
relevant projects.
 Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with
company policy
 Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and
feasibility studies for clients
Field Workers / Contract Staff
 Responsible for preparing farm lands for rice cultivations
 Handles farm implements and machines as instructed by the section
manager / supervisor
 Assists in transport working tools and equipment from the farm and back
to the designated store
room
Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer
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 Welcomes guests and clients to the farm by greeting them in person or on
the telephone; answering
or directing inquiries.
 Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or
phone) provides the client
with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
 Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to
build client’s interest in
the company’s products and services
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
With the financial support from my family, investors and loans granted from
the Bank of Agriculture (BOA)
we will be making use of the factors of production we pulled in with their
help. The Abubakar family has
working relationships with and linkages to industry players in the project
area who will offtake products
through a purchase and sale contract agreement.
TARGET MARKET AND SALES
PROJECTION
With the large market for rice both domestically and internationally, our
target scope is considerably wide.
Apart from those along the rice value chain we will be targeting domestic
consumers that include
households, eateries, hotels, schools and also export these to rice
consuming countries across the world.
We have come up with a 3 year projected sales from research conducted.
The results show promising growth
for our sales. This uses current economic realities. It, however, discounts
unforeseen factors such as sudden
inflation and natural disasters. The chart below summarizes the findings of
the research conducted on our
sales projection;
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Our competitive advantage is the world-class marketing department
established at Abro farms. This
department is manned by experts in marketing with years of experience in
the agro-industry. With the vital
contribution they will make, our rice farming business will be propelled into
the big league within the
shortest possible time.
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Also, this rice farming business will have a highly motivated workforce that
will be regularly given
incentives to get the best from them. In addition to this, a work-friendly
environment will be provided to
enhance productivity.
TARIFF AND IMPORT RESTRICTION
Forex restriction on food importation and zero duty on imported agricultural
equipment will favour the
project under consideration.
MARKET POTENTIAL
One of the common trends in the commercial rice farming line of
business is that most players in
the industry are no longer concentrating only on non – organic rice
farming. They are now finding
it easier to run both organic rice cultivation and non – organic rice
cultivation. It is fact that despite
that organic food are expensive, the sale for organic food is on the
increase and it is indeed
profitable.
In spite of the fact that commercial rice farming has been in
existence since time immemorial,
which does not in any way make the industry to be over saturated;
commercial rice farmers are
exploring new technology to continue to improve the cultivation
processes and also rice processing
and packaging processes; mechanized farming has indeed
increased the tons of food produced by
farmers.
The fact that there is always a ready market for rice makes the
business highly thriving and
profitable. Lastly, it is a common trend to find standard commercial
rice farmers run a rice
processing and packaging plant alongside their farm. It is a means
of maximizing profits in the
business. With this, it is easier for them to expand the scope of their
market beyond Nigeria to
other countries of the world.
There is strong demand for rice across the country. The state of
infrastructure supports production and trade
within Nigeria.
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TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
Rice farming is highly technically feasible. The needed machines and tools
for rice production are readily
available and our experts have hand on experience in the usage and
maintenance of the equipment.
On the rice production, we have specialists in mechanization, irrigation,
farm management, crop
production, weed science, market development, agricultural extension and
accounting as part of our
management team. The infrastructure in Etsako West local government
area is adequate and suitable for
the location of the farm/firm for efficient production, processing and
marketing.
Raw materials will be produced and sourced locally.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND
REGULATION
The project conforms with the economic diversification objective of the
government. It also supports
foreign exchange and import reduction conservation of government. It
creates economic opportunities,
market access, improved income for farmers and support food security
objective of government. The project
will benefit from government intervention fund in the agriculture sector. The
project will also benefit from
the favourable policy of zero duty for agricultural and equipment importThe
project will contribute
significantly to employment, output increase, stable price and stable
exchange rate.
PROJECT TIMELINE
The project will be completed within 11months between February and
December for benefits of low
humidity that aids land clearing during that period.
FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS AND COSTING
Rite Rice Farm Enterprise would need a good amount of capital to ensure
that your employees are well
taken care of, and that your farm is conducive enough for workers to be
creative and productive.
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This means that the start-up is high depending on our goals, vision and
aspirations for your business. The
tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere,
and any difference in prices
would be minimal and can be overlooked.
As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a commercial rice farm; it might
differ in other countries due
to the value of their money. Below are some of the basic areas we will
spend our start – up capital in setting
up our commercial rice farm;
 The Total Fee for incorporating the Business in Nigeria– N75000.
 The total cost for payment of insurance policy covers (general liability,
workers’ compensation and
property casualty) coverage at a total premium – N94,000
 The amount needed to acquire / lease a farm land – N50,000,000
 The amount required for preparing the farm land – N70,000,000
 The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment /
machines / fencing et al–
N10,000,000
 The amount required for purchase of the first set of rice seedlings et al –
N50,000,000
 The amount required to set up a standard rice processing plant within the
farm facility –
N100,000,000
 Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments
of bills et al) –
N40,000,000
 The Cost of launching an official website – N300,000
 The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months –
N50,000,000
 Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and
Promotions et al) – N200,000
Equipment
Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies
conducted, we will need an average of
N50,000,000 to start a standard commercial rice farming with rice
processing plant business in Nigeria.
These are some of the equipment that we would need to fully launch our
commercial plantain farm,
 Tractor
 Soil cultivator
 Plough
 Planter
 Plastic mulch layer
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 Transplanter
 Sprinkler system irrigation
 Mower
 Sickle
 Wheel Barrow
 Truck
Basically, the nature of commercial rice farms does not require an office
space; most people that run
commercial farms operate directly from their farms. But we have decided to
open a small liaison office; a
place where administrative jobs will be carried out on behalf of the
business.
SOURCE OF REVENUE
Our source of revenue generation will come from our income-generating
activities which include the commercial
cultivation of rice, in addition to the processing of the same which will be sold
to the open market consisting of
both domestic and international.
FUNDING MECHANISM
We have been able to generate about N100,000,000 (Personal savings
N80,000,000 and soft loan from
family members N20,000,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a
loan facility of N400,000 from
our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and
submitted, the loan has been approved and
any moment from now our account will be credited. The 500Ha of land,
silos, and other heavy machinery
will be bought with money from the Abubakar family, money from investors
and loans at the rate of 8.75%
from the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and commercial banks. Part
of the start-up capital required
will also be obtained through sale of shares.
CONCLUSION
This business plan sample has made available a rice farming business plan
sample, targeting specifically
entrepreneurs with little to no experience in writing a good business plan.
This sample provides the
necessary guidance, and although it can be used as a guideline, the
contents should solely consist of the
farmers/entrepreneur’s unique business realities.
BUSINESS DESCRITION

Rice farming is the business of growing rice in large quantities for sale and consumption. This will basically involve planting,
growing and harvesting rice in large expanse of land commercially.

VISION
To become one of the top biggest Rice farm in the West Africa.
MISSION
To provide an acceptable and healthy source of Rice for human consumption while creating employment
opportunities for Nigerians.

MANAGEMENT

The success of a Rice production business is greatly influenced by the management of the farm. The aim is to
produce as much healthy and good looking rice as possible over the cycle of production. An increase of
over 300% can be projected within a space of 4 years if farm is well managed. This quality management
team lies in their expertise and devotion.

The farm manager

This should be experienced personnel who must have a basic training in Rice farming with proficient skill
in hatchery and tendering of small fingerlings and juveniles. There will be two helpers, a male and a
female, to assist in all the departments of our operations, from nursery to the sales aspect

Accountant/Admin

This should be an experienced staff with basic knowledge of stock inventory and bookkeeping. The accountant will be
responsible for interfacing with clients/customers to guarantee satisfaction and accountability.

Marketer

with proficient skill in harvesting and sales will be hired as need arises

Security officer
will also be required for 24 hours watch, depending on the location of the farm.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Both the farm manager and Accountant would have a record book on which information on the area
that is cultivated. Record keeping helps the farmer to budget accurately and make informed decisions

about the project.

The following records would be adequately kept.

–
State of the soil (acidicty)
–
High yield variety rice specie

The right fertilizer and the application

–
Good weed control

Time of cultivation (Early Cultivation)

Proper Irrigation

Labor and other variable cost.

RISK FACTORS AND MITIGATION

Payback period of 6 months; a small scale startup other sources of revenue will be
engaged while business is still budding
•
Requires skillful Labor - adequate hands will be employed
•
Pest and Insects which can cause massive loss - clean and hygienic environment will be
strictly maintained and neat
•
Lack of support from the government - proper business planning based on personal funding
will be done without reliance on government input
•
High start-up capital - Accurate financial analysis will be carried out to maintain
proper cash flow.