Nigerian Farmers To Benefit From Chinese High-Yield Rice Seed

News in Brief:
– Chinese agricultural experts develop a high-yield rice seed and transfer advanced techniques, benefiting millions of small-scale farmers.
– The “green channel” initiative has enhanced market access for African agricultural products, including Kenyan flowers, by simplifying export processes and reducing tariffs.

At the Nigerian Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center near Abuja, Chinese agricultural experts have developed a high-yield rice seed tailored to local conditions.

This seed, produced by Green Agriculture West Africa Ltd, has outperformed native varieties by over 20 per cent, according to a report. Already endorsed by Nigerian agricultural authorities, these seeds are now planted in two-thirds of Nigerian states, marking a significant advancement in the country’s rice production.

Over the past decade, the Nigerian Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center has been one of 24 centres established by China across Africa. These centres are crucial in transferring over 300 advanced agricultural techniques to local farmers. These techniques have boosted crop yields by 30 per cent and positively impacted over 1 million small-scale farmers across Africa.

Improving crop diversity and quality across the continent

Chinese agricultural specialists have significantly improved the yield and quality of staple crops such as rice, cassava, and soybeans. Additionally, they have introduced new varieties of fruits, vegetables, and beans which not only enhance the diversity of African diets but also opened new avenues for agricultural progress in the region.

In Kigali, Rwanda, for example, Leonidas Mushimiyimana operates the largest mushroom cultivation workshop in the region, producing 30,000 mushroom tubes monthly and 600 kilograms of fresh mushrooms weekly. Mushimiyimana learned Juncao technology—a method of using a hybrid grass for mushroom cultivation—from Chinese experts. This technology has benefited over 4,000 Rwandan farmers and created more than 30,000 jobs along the agricultural value chain.

Kenya, a major global exporter of fresh flowers, has also benefitted from China’s “green channel” for African agricultural products. This initiative has simplified inspection and quarantine processes and expanded tariff exemptions, making it easier for Kenyan flowers to enter the Chinese market. Companies like Hunan Xiyue Culture Media Co Ltd now sell 100,000 Kenyan flowers monthly across 14 Chinese cities and export to Russia and Australia.