Page 133 - NEW ENERGIES Beyond Data

Rashida Abubakar

Rice Production

Riguna, Nasarawa State

I got involved in rice production from a very young age. As a child, I was often tasked with fetching water for
those working in the fields. After I had carried enough water and assisted with the processing, I was rewarded with
a few measures of rice. Those early experiences ignited a deep passion for the work, shaping my future in rice
farming.

Today, I manage the production of rice in large quantities, processing it and selling it in bags at the market.
My journey began with just one small farm, but over time, I’ve expanded to owning more than two large farms
dedicated to rice cultivation.

The production process starts with sourcing rice from other farmers, depending on the quantity I need. Once
purchased, the rice is parboiled by either myself or my workers. After parboiling, the rice is dried before being
taken to the dehusking machine. The dehusker separates the husk from the rice, preparing it for sale at the
market. The most challenging aspects of my job are the parboiling and drying stages. These processes are

time-consuming and require careful attention.

Before the introduction of solar power to our community, we struggled with unreliable power, often relying
on petrol-powered grinding engines or manual pounding.

The arrival of solar has transformed our operations; now, we simply turn
on a switch to start processing.

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