FMARD trains female rice processors  on parboiling technique

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has organised a three-day training for female rice farmers in the South-South Zone on modern rice parboiling techniques.

The new technique which is the use of modern false bottom parboiling technology was developed by a donor partner, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the false bottom parboiling technology is a technique of parboiling paddy with the use of steam on a panel.

This is against the soaking and boiling of a rice paddy in water as practised by many small scale processors.

Dr Fatima Aliyu, the National Coordinator, Rice Value Chain, said at the training in Calabar on Thursday, that one of the major challenges of milled rice in the country was poor quality due to poor parboiling methods.

Aliyu was represented by Mr Samaila Shiko, Assistant Chief Agricultural Officer in the FMARD.

She said for the country to fast track the attainment of self-sufficiency in rice, there was a need to enhance the quality of rice produced locally.

“Part of the strategies of FMARD to make Nigerian milled rice competitive is the promotion of modern simple and efficient parboiling technology.

“This is because most small scale rice processors end up cooking the paddy during parboiling using their local method which results in delayed drying, non-uniformity of grains and a lot of breakages,’’ Aliyu said.

She said the technology would not only improve the quality of milled rice but also reduce wastages and save time.

In his remarks, Mr Okon Owuna, Cross River Commissioner for Agriculture and Mineral Resources, said farmers should not just think of subsistence but how to make a profit and live a better life.

Represented by Mr Bassey Edet, Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Owuna said the quality of a farmer’s end produce mattered,  hence the need for the false bottom parboiling technology.

“The training is not meant for the classroom but the field. So, I urge you to take what you have learnt to your respective states, practice it in your communities and also teach others,’’ he said.