By Rashidat AbdulRahman
Farmers and key stakeholders from Niger and Kaduna States have received intensive training on post harvest management and rice bran utilization for cattle feed production, in a programme supported by AGRA and organized by Niger Foods.
The two day training, themed “Increasing the Competitiveness of Rice through Market Oriented Systems,” held at Niger Foods office and the Feedlot Breeding Centre in Tagwai, Minna. The initiative aimed at improving rice quality, reducing post harvest losses, and creating additional income streams within the rice value chain.
Speaking during the first day of the programme, the Project Manager of Niger Foods, Abdul Hakeem Oluwaseun Balogun, identified poor threshing, inadequate drying methods, and weak transportation systems as major causes of post-harvest losses. He emphasized the importance of improved milling, sorting, and proper storage techniques to enhance grain quality and increase market value.
Balogun urged participants to adopt pest resistant storage solutions and replicate the knowledge gained in their communities to promote best practices among fellow farmers.
The second day focused on value addition through the transformation of rice bran, commonly regarded as a by product, into nutritious cattle feed. The Coordinator of Livestock at Niger Foods, Dr. Tumsiyya Mann Isah, educated participants on the nutritional benefits of rice bran, feed formulation processes, and safe handling techniques necessary for producing quality livestock feed.
Practical demonstrations were facilitated with support from Dr. Mahmud Suleiman Abdullahi, enabling participants to learn ingredient selection, percentage composition, and accurate measurement in kilograms.
Speaking on behalf of participants, Chairman of the People Living with Disabilities Farmers Cooperative in Niger State, Mahmmed Abubakar Enagi, described the training as impactful, noting that it has shifted farmers’ mindset from subsistence farming to market driven agribusiness.
Niger Foods expressed appreciation to AGRA for sponsoring the programme, describing the partnership as a significant step toward building a more resilient and competitive rice value chain in Nigeria.