Rice Farming on the Plateau

Active and systematic rice research started in Nigeria in 1953 with the establishment of the Federal Rice Station in Badeggi, Niger State which has now become the head quarters of National Cereals Research Institute. The focus on rice research at the station was to develop varieties with improved grain quantity, uniform shape and size with minimal breakages during milling. Thus 1954 to 1970, thirteen improved varieties made up 2 upland, 8 shallow and 3 deep flooded rice were released to Nigerian farmers.

Rice Famers in Plateau State

In 1974, The National Accelerated Food Production Project (NAFPP)was set up. Also in 1976,peration Feed the Nation (OFN) came on board while other projects such as the River Basin Development Authorities all established in 1977 to tackle the problem of shortage in food supply and to boost agricultural prospects of the country prior to the discovery of oil. In spite of all these laudable programs, local rice production never meet the dometic demand of rice consumption as population continues to be on the increase. Consequently, rice imports became the bedrock of meeting domestic demand eventually, rice farming are indeed agriculture was neglected upon the discovery of oil. Inconsistent government policies on rice imports have seriously affected local production.