Nigeria can compete favourably in global rice production – JICA

Nakamura Hirotaka, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), says Nigeria with its rich environment, has potential to compete with other countries of the world in rice production.

Hirotaka stressed the importance of Rice Post-Harvest and Marketing Pilot Project (RIPMAPP) technology in boosting rice production in the country.

JICA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) recently concluded a workshop on RIPMAPP technology to upgrade the knowledge of local farmers in rice production.

According to the JICA official, the post-harvest system consists of a set of operations which cover the period from harvest through to consumption.

He stated further that an efficient post-harvest system was necessary to minimise losses and maintain the quality of the crop until it reaches the final consumer.

‘’When food losses are minimised, both food security and income increase, and this is of vital importance for small and medium farmers, particularly in developing countries.’’

Hirotaka said as Nigeria continued in its rice self sufficiency plan, RIPMAPP technology, under its integrated rice farming project has unveiled techniques to increase local farmers’ prospect and strategist of other developed societies.

‘’What the workshop has done is enormous, and it is my belief that if FMARD will continue to put the local farmers through with the emergence of this technology, there will be great harvest in rice production.

‘’In addition, the country will compete favourably with other agriculturally developed countries of the world in rice production, following its rich environment.

‘’In few years time, Nigeria will be able to bridge the demand and supply gap with the pursuit in its self-sufficiency in rice production, ‘’ he said.

According to him, rice production through adopting RIPMAPP technology, will drastically reduce foreign exchange spending on rice importation.

Hirotaka, however, reiterated JICA’s commitment to assist Nigeria in ensuring that the country sustains the RIPMAPP technology to boost rice production.