The Baklang Farms of Nigeria in Africa, an indigenous company with interests in agriculture, signed a memorandum of agreement recently with SL Agritech Corp. to utilize the latter’s SL-8H hybrid rice technology to increase production and develop its agricultural economy.

The agreement was signed by Henry Lim Bon Liong, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of SL Agritech Corp. and Bakiang Farms of Nigeria consultant Rahrnon Animashaun.

“We carried out a pilot test (phase 1) in three selected sites – in Shonga, Lade and Patigi of the SL Agritech’s SL-8H seeds last year and this year and the result we obtained was very encouraging, so much so that in the next phase, we will already include demonstration of the technology on a commercial scale using biochemicals and small farm machinery,” Animashaun said.

He said Nigeria. which is considered the most populated country in Africa with over 140 million people, has a goal of developing its agriculture sector to create more jobs and provide food security to its populace.

Lim said the SL-8H hybrid rice seed variety has also been successfully tested in several Asian countries including Vietnam where it yielded 11 tons per hectare – Malaysia, 14.8 tons! hectare; China, 10.5 tons! hectare – and in Indonesia, 13.5 tons!hectare.

He said, his SL-8H yield in a field trial in Madagascar was likewise encouraging at it registered an average of 9.5 tons per hectare.

Data shows that older African rice plants produced only about 75-100 grains per panicle or head of grain. However, the hybrid rice varieties produced by SL Agritech could produce up to 400 grains per panicle and they could also be harvested 30-50 days earlier, thus allowing farmers to grow other crops such as beans and vegetables.

“In addition, the SL Agritech hybrid rice varieties have about two percent more body building proteins than the older African rice varieties. This is an important benefit for a region such as Africa where malnutrition affects millions of children and pregnant women,” Lim added.