Fazenda Camicundo Agropecuária
Producing, husking and selling
Located in Camacupa, in the Bié province, the Fazenda Camicundo Agropecuária farming estate is geared towards rice production, husking and bagging for sale. Pedro Marques, an agricultural engineer in charge of all operations, tells us about the process: «Everything is mechanised, starting with the levelling of the land, which must not be terraced. This is done using a laser system, sowing is also done by machines, as is the application of herbicides and fungicides, and finally, harvesting. The only human involvement is in driving the machines.» Flattening the land is perhaps the greatest secret of rice planting, as this crop grows in semi-aquatic land, which is therefore very attractive to weeds, and as the water line constant, controlling them is more effective.
The cereal species used is originally from Brazil, and the managing director explains why: «Our rice seed, which is of the long-grain type, is a Brazilian variety that has undergone excellent genetic improvement.» This agro-industrial unit wants to reverse dependence on rice imports in a short space of time, and already has proof that it is on the right track. «In 2020 we cultivated around 820 hectares and harvested close to 6200 tonnes. For the new harvest we aim to reach seven thousand, and we are also finishing new areas, which will increase production,» stresses Pedro Marques, adding that «we are developing one sowing and two harvests.»
«The only human involvement is in driving the machines»
In terms of area, Fazenda Camicundo Agropecuária will soon have two thousand hectares that will result in a harvest of 15,000 tonnes of rice. «We have four or five workers to do this work, because everything is mechanised, however, as we are operating in a new productive area, we now have close to 80 workers, mostly nationals, although there are some expatriates for specific jobs, such as product applications in the field.»
Sowing rice begins in August, finishing in mid-November, it can, however, extend until January, and the harvest normally starts in February. But, during these months, there are processes that take place at the same time, such as fertilising and fighting pests or other invasive threats.
From the fields, you can see the large storage silos in the distance, indicating that the factory is close by, and the agricultural engineer, a rice specialist, explains that, «after being harvested, the grain goes into a drier, still in its husk, and the lower its humidity, the longer it can be stored; it is then stored and enters the factory; after cleaning, it goes to the husking machine and, once husked, it is bleached, at which point the tegument is removed – the most nutritious part of the rice, which is normally used for flour. Then it’s polished, separated by categories and packaged.»
«We are developing one sowing and two harvests»
There is a surplus of rice husk on this farm, but with a noble destination: «We deliver the husk that remains in the surrounding neighbourhoods, because it has small pieces, the broken rice, which, like flour, I believe is for food and a part for sale, generating an extra income. It is also normal for us to donate rice,» says the director of the estate. «Whenever we can, we help the community and now we are renovating the road leading to the village of Txinani. We have already made a football field and the small water courses, resulting from the ditches, end up being nurseries for fish that can be eaten and that kids go there to catch.» The water for the rice irrigation comes from ditches, primary and secondary ones, where there are dikes that serve as protection from river floods, but as with everything there is always a primary work with machines so that the water, from the tertiary ditch, keeps the rice paddies flooded.