Rice is one of the few agriculturalcommodities that is in relatively high demand in Nigeria. Rice is highly in demand as a staple food and currently it is said that we spend above 1billion naira everyday on rice (importation) . Any investment in local production of rice will continue to be a profitable venture for a long time to come. Rice is a staple food that is widely consumed by all ethnic groups in Nigeria, both young and old.Globally, there are more than 40,000 different varieties of rice, species name Oryza sativa. The NERICA (New Rice For Africa) variety popularly grown in most African countries .New Rice for Africa ('NERICA') is an interspecific cultivar of rice developed by the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) to improve the yield of African rice varieties.The new variety combines the ruggedness of local African rice species with the high productivity traits of the Asian rice. Unlike traditional African rice, but similar to the Asian varieties, Nerica produces significantly bigger harvests..Key features of the new varieties include:(Africa Rice Center).An increase in grain head size from 75-100 grains per head to 400 grains per head.An increase in yield from 1 tonne per hectare to 2.5 tonnes per hectare, yield increases to 5 tonnes per hectare with fertilizer use.Contains 2% more protein than their African or Asian parents.They are taller than most rices, which makes harvesting easier.They resist pests, and they tolerate drought and infertile soils better than Asian varieties.The cost analysis of rice planting and processing as described by Mr Tony Amuninuaran, a rice farmer in Iju local government in Ondo State.: the stages in rice production are as follow :Seeds about 50kg/hectare.1.Land preparation : Ploughing (Hiring and Diesel) N10,000 Harrowing (Hiring and Diesel) N7,300.2.Planting (manual) spacing of 20cm by 20cm N30,000.3.Weed Control : Apllication before planting N5,000 Apllication after palnting N6,000.4.Fertilization : 1st application about 8bags of NPK (15 15 15)/pa Hectare.Application 2-4weeks after planting.2nd Application : 4bags of urea/hectare.Application 6 -8weeks after planting.Weaver Birds Control; Weaver birds are one of the major constraints to rice production in Nigeria. Farmers spend between N5, 000 - N7, 000 to control the birds.5.Harvesting : this is usually 3months . Yield per hectare 5-7tonnes.Post Harvesting operations include threshing, parboiling, drying and ShellingThe post harvesting operations of rice in Nigeria need the attention of both the federal and state Government. The local and traditional methods used over the years in processing rice cannot be used if Nigeria is really serious about producing her own rice. Since rice can grow in every ecological zone, Nigeria has such a tremendous potential for rice production.The establishment of small and medium scale Rice milling industries by each local government will go along way to boost rice production in Nigeria. The establishment of rice mills will also encourage farmers to grow more rice. Mr tony explained that there were several rice farmers in his area some years back but a lot of farmers have abandoned rice cultivation because it is a highly labour intensive venture. In developed countries, combined harvester are used to harvest rice and process at the same time.Rice milling processes include parboiling, drying, milling, and packaging. Setting up a Rice milling factory involves getting a medium-sized warehouse with all the necessary equipment installed. Self-sufficiency in rice production would improve food security and aid economic development in Nigeria.Please send your suggestions, comments on how Nigeria can successfully produce her own rice.
Click here to read full news..
