Expert says lack of funds, technology hampers rice production

An agricultural expert, Mr Ogunsina Solomon, has identified lack of funds, technology and manpower as well as the activities of middlemen as the major constraints limiting rice production in Nigeria.

Solomon, who is the General Secretary of the Global Feeders Farmers in Oyo State, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday.

Global Feeders is a non-governmental organisation that coordinates the activities of small groups of farmers to enhance the production and marketing of rice in the south-western part of the country.

Solomon, an integrated rice farmer, said that for the country to become self-sufficient in rice production, government should make concerted efforts to address these constraints.

According to him, Nigeria has the potential to become a major rice producing and exporting country in Africa.

“If Nigeria exports rice to other African countries, it will boost the national economy, encourage the youth to engage in rice farming and add value to the farmers’ income,’’ he said.

Solomon said there was a cooperative arrangement for millers in his neighbourhood, in which rice millers procured the commodity directly from farmers to produce rice and minimise the price differentials between the local and the imported rice.

“The production capacity of our machine is five tonnes per day, translating to 100 50kg. bags of rice."

“In the South-West, we do milling with locally fabricated machines."

“We source paddy from individuals, farm associations and cooperative bodies."

“Many of the farmers have also been trained on how to grow rice in large quantities,’’ he said.

Solomon said that his organisation was in the process of creating a commodity market to enable rice farmers to sell their produce directly in Oyo State.

He, however, said that a programme on large-scale rice production, which would involve state governments, was being initiated.

“More states have been added to the number of states producing rice and the government also makes loans available for farmers to cultivate more rice."

“Besides, FADAMA III, a World Bank programme initiated to assist our farmers with funding for rice production, is still in progress,’’ he added.