Description

Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or Oryza glaberrima (African rice). As a cereal grain, it is the most widely consumed staple food for a large part of the world’s human population, especially in Asia. It is the agricultural commodity with the third-highest worldwide production (rice, 741.5 million tonnes in 2014), after sugarcane (1.9 billion tonnes) and maize (1.0 billion tonnes).

The health benefits of rice include its ability to provide instant energy, regulate and improve bowel movements, stabilize blood sugar levels, and slow down the aging process. It also plays a role in providing vitamin B1 to the human body. Other benefits include its ability to aid in skin care, boost metabolism, aid in digestion, reduce high blood pressure, help in weight loss, boost the immune system, and provide protection against dysentery, cancer, and heart diseases.

These benefits can be found in more than forty thousand varieties of this cereal available throughout the world. The two main categories are whole grain and white rice. Whole grain is not that processed, so it is high in nutritional value, whereas white rice is processed so that the bran or outer covering is removed, leaving it with fewer nutritional value. People choose different types of rice depending on their culinary needs, availability, and its potential health benefits as well.

Rice is an increasingly important crop in Nigeria. It is relatively easy to produce and is grown for sale and for home consumption. In some areas there is a long tradition of rice growing, but for many, rice has been considered a luxury food for special occasions only. With the increased availability of rice, it has become part of the everyday diet of many in Nigeria.

There are many varieties of rice grown in Nigeria. Some of these are considered ‘traditional’ varieties, others have been introduced within the last twenty years. Rice is grown in paddies or on upland fields, depending on the requirements of the particular variety; there is limited mangrove cultivation. New varieties are produced and disseminated by research institutes, or are imported from Asia. Some varieties of rice grown in Nigeria includes Fadama rice, Upland rice, Lowland rice and Indigenous red grain specie (Oryza glaberrina).

Nigerians consume about five point five million (5,500,000) tonnes of rice annually, and even though the amount of rice locally produced is three point six million (3,600,000) tonnes, and the amount imported is one point nine million (1,900,000) tonnes, it’s still enough to put Nigeria as one the highest importers of rice in the world.

Nigeria currently spends roughly N 365 billion yearly on the importation of the remaining one point nine million (1,900,000) tonnes, simply because local production alone has failed to satisfy the very high demand for rice in the country. Every State in the country has chosen an optimal variety of rice according to the soil and weather conditions. Take a close look at top 8 states with rice farming preferences and their choice of rice! Ekiti State – Igbemo Rice Nasarawa State – Olam Rice Ebonyi State – Ebonyi Rice Niger State – Mama Happy Rice Kano State – UMZA Rice Ogun State – Ofada Rice Anambra State – Anambra Rice Kebbi State – Labana Rice.

This report seeks to examine the financial viability or otherwise of establishing a mechanized rice plantation in Nigeria.

The size and locations of the farm is one hundred and ten (110) hectares of land located in Anambra State. One hundred (100) hectares would be used for the farm while the remaining ten (10) hectares would be used for the construction of the office, warehouse and other civil works.

The farm is expected to yield five (5) tons of paddy rice per hectare with the use of improved seedling (SIPPI (FAR0 44), which is adapted to Lowland / Irrigated swamp) which matures in four (4) months with two production cycle per annum.