By George George Idowu
An international non-profit organization, Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), has conducted training sessions for three rice farmer groups in Nasarawa State on the innovative production of rice husk briquettes as an eco-friendly alternative to firewood.
Programme Officer for Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture, SAA, Dr. Moshood Suleiman disclosed this during a briefing with reporters on Friday in Assakio near Lafia.
According to him, the training forms part of a larger project aimed at revitalizing rice cooperatives and promoting sustainable rice production and processing practices in the state.
The training funded by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP) includes the establishment of two rice aggregation centers equipped with rice processing facilities, including rice mills and briquette-making machines, in Assakio and Agwatashi communities.
Suleiman emphasized that the objective of producing rice husk briquettes is to reduce reliance on firewood for energy, thereby curbing deforestation and addressing environmental challenges posed by rice husk waste.
He clarified that the briquettes, made exclusively from rice husk without additional binding agents, are a value-added product.
Trained experts from Tokyo, Japan, instructed rice farmer groups on operating and maintaining the briquette machines, emphasizing the efficiency and eco-friendly nature of the briquettes due to their slow-burning properties.
“The rice producers will utilize husk from milled rice to produce briquettes, which will be used for rice parboiling and can also be sold within the community,” explained Suleiman.
This initiative aims to generate additional income for farmers while promoting sustainable energy practices.
In response, Mr. Oboshi Osko, one of the trainees, expressed gratitude to SAA for the transformative impact of the project on their rice production capacity, underscoring the benefits of adopting innovative technologies in agriculture.