By Usman Muhammed Zaria
Rural women rice processors in Kwalam, Chuwasu and Kaura communities of Jigawa State have commended the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) and the state government for supporting value addition in rice processing.
During a field visit by journalists to the communities in Gwaram and Taura Local Government Areas, some of the women said the interventions had transformed rice processing from a largely traditional subsistence activity into a more organised and profitable enterprise.
In an interview, Malama Sadiya Abdullahi, said the intervention provided them with processing equipment, technical support and training, as well as access to better production practices.
Sadiya further explained that her organisation, Chuwasu Women rice producers group, had reduced drudgery and improved the quality of their products, thus providing more turn over.
Malama Rabi Ibrahim also said, the technological support provided to the group by Sasakawa and Jigawa state government, had reduced the physical burden associated with rice processing.
According to her, women previously spent long hours manually cleaning, parboiling, drying and processing rice.
Rabi added that, the new machines have reduced the stress and time involved, noting that they can now process larger quantities without depending entirely on manual labour in their community.
She said that improved processing, had also enhanced the appearance and marketability of locally processed rice.
The women therefore, urged the federal and state governments to provide additional machines and establish more processing centres to enable more women to benefit.
In Chuwasu Community of Taura local government, Malama Zainab Sani said the initiative had created opportunities for women to become financially independent.
She said increased income from rice processing had enabled some women to support their children’s education and meet other household needs.
Zainab noted that, many rural women have skills and are hardworking, but need more equipment and support to turn their efforts into profitable businesses.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
