During the economic summit at Eze Igwe Ojike’s palace in Nkwebi Ohafia, Mr. Rachan Fakmeh, a Thai investor, expressed his country’s readiness to bring rice-planting Technology to the people of Abia State. The plan involves cultivating rice on 22 hectares of land using drone technology, paving the way for technological advancements in Agriculture for the state. Fakmeh said rice production in Ohafia will highly increase in the near future thanks to advanced technology and the accessibility of a nearby river. He stated that the Thailand Embassy in Nigeria is eager to collaborate with the Ohafia monarchs to replicate the rice production methods used in Thailand.
Former chairman of the Ohafia LGA Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Ojike mentioned that he has brought in both foreign and domestic Investors to collaborate on projects involving the Uduma River in the area. These projects include hydroelectric development, dredging, and expansion of the river, as well as initiatives for rice farming and utilization of the river’s aquatic resources. He said the Ohafia Traditional Rulers Council has recently inaugurated a microfinance bank to provide affordable interest rates to the local community.
These projects would benefit the people of Ohafia.
Eze Ojike mentioned that the Abia State government has shown a strong interest in participating in the different projects. Eze (Dr.) Uduma Ezera, who serves as the Secretary to the Conference and Secretary of Ohafia Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers, also highlighted additional initiatives planned by the conference to bring about positive change in Ohafia. Additionally, Prof. I. U., the Vice Chancellor of Akaeze University in Ebonyi State, shared insights on ways to engage with the government on these projects. During the event, Kalu said it is saddled on the traditional leaders to explore and initiate projects that could have significant economic impacts within their localities.
Speaking earlier, Eze Ukoha Kalu Ukoha, the chairman of Ohafia Traditional Rulers Council, emphasized the significant advantages that the projects would bring to the people of Ohafia, as well as to every community within and outside the state. Thailand is renowned for its robust rice production heritage, with the fifth highest acreage dedicated to farming globally and holding the position as the world’s second largest exporter. Thailand has introduced a groundbreaking approach to cultivating rice that focuses on rejuvenating soil health, conserving resources, and offering small-scale farmers more options for growing profitable crops.
Innovative farming methods are making a difference.
Also, Thailand stands out as a significant global player in the industry, producing around 16 million tons of paddy annually and exporting up to 4.5 million tons of white rice each year. Despite challenges like increasing prices, unpredictable weather patterns, and a worldwide food shortage, innovative sustainable farming methods are making a difference in Thailand’s agricultural sector. In Thailand, innovative techniques like rain machines, water canals, and laser-levelling are being implemented to improve the Sustainability of the agricultural supply chain in response to the increasing global food crisis.
The cultivation in Nigeria sustains the livelihoods of countless farmers, ensuring both Food Security and economic stability. The process of growing in Nigeria encompasses a multitude of techniques, from planting seeds to processing the final product. Different planting methods are used by Nigerian rice farmers based on their individual choices, technological resources, and soil quality. Rice Cultivation in Nigeria typically involves either direct wet seeding or transplanting rice seedlings. Transplanting is preferred for its ability to enhance weed management and maximize land utilization.
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However, direct seeding may be quicker, but it leads to reduced crop output as it faces tough competition from weeds, lack of water, and various environmental pressures. Dealing with pests and diseases poses a major obstacle for farmers in Nigeria, greatly affecting their harvests. Stem borers, rice bugs, and rats are frequently encountered pests, causing harm to crops. In addition, farmers grapple with issues like limited financial resources, poor infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change. Therefore, introducing Thailand’s rice-planting technology with the people of Abia State have the potential to revolutionize the cultivating process in the state and lead to higher yields.