Abia Rice Expansion Programme Completes Pilot Phase

The Abia Rice Intensive Cultivation and Expansion (ARICE) Programme of the State Government has successfully completed its pilot phase, marking a significant step towards establishing Abia as a major Rice-producing state.

The proof-of-concept project was conducted on 150 hectares of land in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, and harvesting is currently underway.

According to a release by Oluchi Franklin-Oji, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, revealed that the programme will be rolled out to other identified locations, targeting 8,500 hectares.

Agbaeze noted that mechanized farming techniques will be employed to maximize efficiency and productivity.

“Today, we celebrate a major milestone in our Agricultural development journey. The ARICE programme’s pilot phase has demonstrated the vast potential of our land and the dedication of our farmers.

As we scale up this initiative, we’re confident that it will not only boost rice production but also create economic opportunities for our citizens.

I will like to express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Alex Oti, for his unwavering support and vision for Agricultural development in Abia State. His leadership is pivotal to the success of this programme.
I commend the tireless efforts of all stakeholders and look forward to the programme’s continued success.”