Production has hit 5.8 million metric tonnes milled rice ( about 10 million metric tonnes paddy) making Nigeria to top the list of rice producing nations in Africa ahead of Egypt, despite the increase in production over the years the nation has not attained optimal production in rice, one of her dearest grains as our consumption rate is put at 7.9 million metric tonnes milled rice per annum (13 million metric tonnes paddy).
Rice being a very popular grain eaten all over the world raises farmers' income and boost nations economy, Nigeria rice farmers have witnessed increase in revenue most especially this closed borders regime as the Price of the commodity skyrocketed because of the increase in demand for local rice, it's obvious now that if the borders are reopened local rice will continue to thrive. Investment in rice production over the years have been with mixed feelings with the good, the bad and the ugly experiences but it remains one of the most profitable crops with ready market within reasonable time frame.
Upland rice is the safest and most guaranteed investment platform in paddy rice production as it is less prone to flooding since it's planted on dry land, the species are long, durable and sweeter than lowland rice, the demand for upland rice is higher as it's use to complement lowland rice and the cost of production per hectare is lower compared to lowland.
The upsurge of rice mills across the nation is a pointer to the potential market and profitable feasibility of paddy rice, our stand as a Nation with a developing economy should be producing what we consume and consuming what we produce, with local rice one is very sure of eating rice milled under 12 months compared to foreign that most are about 36 months with reported cases of rubber rice imported into the country, the more we invest in paddy rice production the larger the quantity of milled rice that will be produced and the higher our chance of self sufficient and perhaps exportation. Apart from defeating capital flight, investment in local production aids industrialization, facilitate urban rural migration, support human development and fights insecurity.
Join us in the upland paddy rice project, over 100 hectares of land available @100k/slot with 20% return on investment (ROI).
Subscription ends February 2020.
Land preparation commence March 2020.
Planting start April 2020.
Harvesting September 2020.
For further enquiries call or chat 08072402217, 09019899971.

Upland rice remains the best in cultivation, taste and cooking.

Quality paddy gives premium rice

Upland rice production accounts for 20% of the total rice produced in Nigeria. Upland is one of the potential and suitable agro-ecologies to attain optimal production in Nigeria, it is estimated that 4.6 to 4.9 million hectares is available for rice production, but only about 1.7 million hectares of this land is presently being cropped. The rainfed upland rice ecology represents 25% of the 1.7 million hectares. About 800,000 hectares is still available for rainfed upland rice across the following States;Benue, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Sokoto States.

The challenges that can be faced in upland rice farming are;
1. Weeds
2. Insect pests; Stem borers and Termites
3. Diseases; Blast, Brown spot
4. Nematodes
5. Vertebrate pests; Birds, Rodents
6. Drought
7. low soil fertility
8. Soil acidity
9. Soil erosion
These challenges and remedy will be discussed later in this write up.

Cultivation
Land
Fertile land with good drainage and good water retention capacity (sandy loam soil) is the most suitable for upland rice.
Land preparation
For forest areas, destump big trees before the rains preferably from November to February, and remove all stumps,roots and trees before ploughing (Early March in the south) to make a good tilth and harrow two weeks after plowing to allow the weeds to die. You can divide the field to plots of 50 m2 or 100 m2 for easy coverage and supervision of the farm.

Cultivar (Seeds)
The choice of good quality seeds with a high percentage of viability (>80%) and without insect damage or contaminants (weed seeds, stones, other seed types) is extremely important as all other factors of cultivation depend on seed for good output, seeds of mixed varieties should be avoided completely.

Allow rains to be well established before seeding and sow seeds when the soil is moist; if possible immediately after a good rain. April to May is the most suitable period in the south.
Sowing methods
Direct seeding by:
1. Dibbling: opening up a spot in the soil and sowing 5 to 8 seeds at a depth of 2–3cm with 30cm X 30cm spacing requiring 60 - 70kg/ha.
2. Drilling: making a small groove, 2–3 cm deep in the soil, and sowing the seeds sparsely in the groove and covering with soil 30cm row spacing and 5cm within row and seed rate is 80 - 90kg/ha.
3. Broadcasting: spreading the seeds on the soil surface without any Spacing and seeding rate

It should be noted that drilling and broadcasting are not recommended in early season droughts prone areas.

Thinning seedlings
At 2–3 weeks after sowing, thin the seedlings to 2–4 per stand for dibble-seeded seedlings. density of 22–44 plants/m2 for 30 × 30 cm and maintain only one seedling per stand for drill-seeded seedlings.

weed control
Pre - emergence
Apply glyphosate 2-3 days after sowing or just after seeding at the rate of 4–6 liters/ha.

DO NOT spray glyphosate after the germination of paddy seeds, to avoid killing the seedlings.

Post-emergence:
Apply selective herbicide at the rate of 4–6 liters/ha at 2 to 3 weeks after seeding. Propanil, Tamarice or Basagram are good post emergence herbicides for rice.
Resistant weed species or newly germinating weeds like corn grass–Rottboellia cochinchinensis– should be rogued and burnt.

Fertilizer
Apply liquid organic fertilizer twice (5 & 10 weeks). It's cheaper and easily applied by spraying.

Upland paddy rice now available. Long, durable and tasty grains @185k/ton.

Erukulele:
Upland paddy rice now available. Long, durable and tasty grains @185k/ton.

Mr. Razak please go and pay the capital and interest of investors who invested in your Plantain scheme.

alekuwodo:
Quality paddy gives premium rice

he