Perceived Effectiveness of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)‑Rice Processing Technologies Utilization among Rice Processors in Kogi State, Nigeria

In recent years, global rice consumption has seen a substantial increase, and consumption is expected to continue rising due to its significance in household diets worldwide. However, successful rice processing requires specific operations. This study assessed the effectiveness of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Rice Processing Technologies Utilization among rice processors in Kogi State, Nigeria. A three‐stage sampling technique was employed to select one hundred and eighty (180) rice processors for the study. Data collection utilized a questionnaire complemented with an interview schedule, and the analysis employed descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, and mean). Results revealed that the majority (91.1%) of the respondents were female with a mean age of 47.6 years. Additionally, 86.7 percent were married, and 56.7 percent had primary education. It was also found that extension agents (72.2%) were the main sources of information on JICA rice processing technologies in the study area. Furthermore, the study found that all JICA initiatives were effective. However, the false bottom at parboiling for quality paddy rice (X̅ = 3.99) and the Ajifa mill for milling clean rice grains with a good appearance (X̅ = 3.98) were rated as the most effective JICA initiatives by the respondents. Consequently, the study recommends that the government should encourage and organize free adult literacy classes to increase processors' knowledge and orientation toward processing activities.

近年来，全球稻米消费量实现了显著增长，且由于稻米在全球居民膳食中的重要地位，消费量预计仍将持续攀升。然而，优质稻米的加工需要遵循特定的操作规范。本研究针对尼日利亚科吉州（Kogi State）的稻米加工者，评估了日本国际协力机构（Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA）稻米加工技术的应用效果。本研究采用三阶段抽样法，共选取180名稻米加工者作为研究对象。数据收集采用调查问卷辅以访谈提纲的方式完成，数据分析则运用描述性统计方法（包括频数统计、百分比计算与均值分析）。研究结果显示，绝大多数（91.1%）受访者为女性，平均年龄为47.6岁。此外，86.7%的受访者已婚，56.7%仅接受过初等教育。同时发现，农技推广人员（72.2%）是研究区域内受访者获取JICA稻米加工技术信息的主要渠道。进一步分析表明，所有JICA推出的技术项目均被证实具有有效性。其中，用于优质稻谷蒸谷工序的假底设备（X̅=3.99）与用于加工外观优良的洁净米粒的Ajifa碾米机（X̅=3.98）被受访者评为最为有效的JICA技术项目。基于上述结果，本研究建议政府应鼓励并组织免费成人识字课程，以提升加工者的专业知识水平与加工活动认知能力。