By Umar Sani

Farmers in Bauchi State have been advised to adopt advanced dry season rice farming techniques to improve yield and profitability.

The advice was made by a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Bauchi State Agricultural Stakeholders Interactive Forum.

The forum, which aims at educating farmers on modern rice production practices, emphasised the need for technology-driven approaches to bridge the gap between local rice production and national consumption.

Speaking during the session, the Deputy Director of Agricultural Technical Services at BSADP, Yaribe Hussaini, noted that many farmers engage in rice farming without adequate technical knowledge, leading to suboptimal yields.

According to him, “Dry season rice farming requires a higher level of technology and investment.

“Farmers need to apply the right techniques to achieve a higher yield that can compensate for the costs incurred.

“Nigeria’s domestic rice production is significantly below the country’s consumption needs. With an annual consumption rate of 5.5 million metric tons, the nation produces only 3.6 million metric tons locally, creating a reliance on rice imports.”

While noting the need to reverse this trend, he pointed out that to reverse this trend, dry season farming, which has the potential to close the production gap, must be promoted.

Hussaini explained that with proper implementation of the techniques taught at the forum, farmers can expect substantial profits.

“A farmer can harvest up to 1,000 tons of rice per hectare, which translates into profits of over N2 million in just three to four months,” he educated.

The agric director insisted that “This approach does not only improve food security but also boosts economic opportunities by creating jobs for farm labourers.

“Dry season farming is also an opportunity for farmers to recover losses incurred due to climate-related disasters.

“Farmers should adopt best practices, including timely planting and the use of quality inputs, to ensure successful harvests, “he counselled.

On his part, Chairman of the Agricultural Stakeholders Forum in Bauchi, Rafilawus Iliya, praised the training session for its comprehensive coverage of rice production –  from nursery preparation to post-harvest management.

He revealed the key recommendations made by the facilitators during the forum including: “The provision of dams across local governments to support irrigation farming.

“If these dams are provided, they will significantly increase rice production, enhance farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute to the state’s economic growth.”

Addressing issues of agricultural inputs, Iliya called for the various governments’ intervention in combating the problem of fake and adulterated products in the market.

He further stressed the importance of investing in agriculture, noting that the sector offers vast opportunities for economic empowerment.

“Farming is a lucrative venture. With the right investment and innovative practices, farmers can significantly improve their standard of living,” he insisted.

Further encouraging more farmers to join and explore the benefits of modern farming at the forum, Iliya appealed to the government to continue supporting agricultural initiatives, emphasising that investments in the sector would yield significant returns for the state and its farmers.

Umar Sani

Published Date: October 15, 2024