Rice producing states in Nigeria ~ Zeniths Blog

What role is occupied by rice production in Nigeria? What are the major rice producing states in Nigeria? Nigeria is the largest producer of rice in West Africa.

The demand for this product in Nigeria still continues to grow. The government is making efforts to promote rice production and import to meet the demand of the population.

Increasing importance is given to rice cultivated in the valleys of Niger and its tributaries – Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue. In the province of the Niger was established country’s first experienced irrigation system, in order to irrigate rice fields in the area of about 400 ha. Rice production in the country reaches 200-250 thousand tons.

Bear in mind that rice is mainly grown in moisted areas of Eastern Africa (the Nile valley or Madagascar).

Rice farming types

Nigeria has rice fields of three types.

1st type

On the first type of fields rice is grown with continuous flooding until the crop is almost ripe, and before gathering harvest the water is eliminated. This method is used in about 90% of world rice production.

2nd type

Such rice is grown without irrigation in areas with high rainfall. Both of these methods can be used to plant the same sorts of rice, but in the first case, the crop is usually better.

3rd type

Such rice is grown in floodplains during floods. It is done with rapidly elongating stems, and panicles float on the water surface. Annually, this method of rice growing is only possible on small pieces of land, in comparison with the other types of rice farming, it gives much poorer crop even at the time using of other methods. However, it is a very important source of food for the population of river valleys in Asia.

Rice producing states in Nigeria

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Main pecularities of Nigeria rice farming

The main environmental factors limiting rice production are temperature and soil moisture. Rice is a plant which loves plants, but too high temperature can lead to its excessive vegetative growth and mutual shading of shoots in crops. The abundance of sunny days, creating favourable conditions for photosynthesis, usually contributes to a greater harvest.

Nigerian farmers tips

On rice fields with the hilly terrain, rice is growning on sloping terraces, enclosed by ramparts that keep water. Sandy soils, despite the low natural fertility, with adequate treatment often give the highest yields.

When sowing rice in dry soil, it should be immediately flooded, and then you need to change the water depth, depending on the phase of development of plants, control weeds and pests. When gathering crops with combine, grain moisture content should in average be 18-22%, and it should not be lower than 16%, otherwise it can crack.

What are rice producing states in Nigeria?

Rice producing states in Nigeria

Here you will see a list of rice producing states in Nigeria

Northern states:

It’s the main producing rice state.

Nigerian farmers produce here UMZA rice.

Mama Happy rice is the main product of rice production in this state.

Southern states:

Enugu;
Cross River;
Ebonyi.

Here they produce rice having the same name as the state has.

Nigeria largest rice production enterprises

Capital Rice, the largest rice exporter in Thailand, has offered to combine efforts with West African conglomerate Stallion Group to create a joint venture for the management of rice plant in Nigeria.

African countries buy different varieties of Thai rice, but parboiled rice still remains the most loved among consumers of the Western coast of the continent.

Former President of the Association of Thai rice exporters said that Nigeria permits foreign companies to grow rice and manage enterprises specializing in the processing of grain to reduce dependence on exports of rice and achieve food sovereignty.