Selected features on the impact of rice research in Africa - Special supplement focusing on Africa - AfricaRice
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Special supplement focusing on Africa
www.irri.org
International Rice Research Institute
August 2016
Selected features on the impact
of rice research in Africa
CONTENTS 3
6
Tanzania to lead rice production in Africa
PaPa Abdoulaye Seck: an advocate of research for Africa’s
development
rice TODAY
8 Banking on Africa’s rice potential
10 Cameroon: Central Africa’s potential rice granary
12 Uganda: blazing a trail to rice success
14 Giving an edge to young African researchers
16 From tiger shrimp to rice
18 Rice: Ethiopia’s millennium crop
20 IRRI in Burundi
22 Unleashing the force
24 Women of war turn to rice in Burundi
26 The pillars of Africa’s agriculture
28 Rice for peace
30 Africa seeks “Marshall Plan” for capacity building
32 Pockets of gold
34 Adapting to change
36 Decoding patterns of clImate change and rIce diseases
38 A SMART choice for Africa’s inland-valley rice farmers About the cover
40 Adding value to Africa’s rice Ex-combatant women in Burundi get a second chance
42 Côte d’Ivoire: An emerging rice powerhouse in West Africa
at a peaceful life by turning to rice farming.
44 A game changer in Africa’s rice agronomy
46 Mapping rice in Africa
48 Defining inland valleys in sub-Saharan Africa
50 Scientists from Asia and Africa attend rice crop simulation training
Rice Today is published by the International Rice Research Institute editor-in-chief Lanie Reyes
(IRRI) on behalf of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP). managing editor Alaric Francis Santiaguel
IRRI is the world’s leading international rice research and training
Africa editor Savitri Mohapatra
center. Based in the Philippines and with offices located in major rice-
growing countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on Latin America editor Neil Palmer
improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers copy editor Bill Hardy
and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving art director Juan Lazaro IV
natural resources. It is one of the 15 nonprofit international research designer and production supervisor Grant Leceta
centers that are members of the CGIAR consortium (www.cgiar.org). photo editor Isagani Serrano
Responsibility for this publication rests with IRRI. Designations used
in this publication should not be construed as expressing IRRI policy or circulation Antonette Abigail Caballero, Cynthia Quintos
opinion on the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or its web master Jerry Laviña
authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. printer Primex Printers, Inc.
Rice Today welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. The
opinions expressed by columnists in Rice Today do not necessarily
reflect the views of IRRI or GRiSP.
International Rice Research Institute
DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
Web: ricetoday.irri.org
Rice Today editorial
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International Rice Research Institute 2016
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2
Tanzania to lead
rice production
in Africa by Lanie Reyes
Tanzania is poised to meet the growing demand for rice in Eastern and Southern Africa. It can potentially
double or even triple its production through a strategy that combines improving agronomic practices,
delivering improved high-yielding rice varieties, capacity strengthening in research and outreach, and a
good strategy for seed production and distribution.
anzania is set to become 9*-+/- : its rice production to greater heights
“T the next rice granary in
Africa,” said Abdelbagi
Ismail, principal
scientist at the International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI). “It has
+--+;# $ !
will greatly help boost the country’s
productivity,” Dr. Ismail said.
# ;
in both quantity and quality and be
the leading rice exporter in Africa
and even in the Middle East.
great potential to expand as it has government views its future rice IRRI SCIENTISTS and their partners work
advantages of having ample suitable sector. Komboka means “to be together to improve Tanzania’s rice sector. (From
left) Dr. Rosemary Murori, IRRI rice breeder; Dr.
lands and water resources, and a liberated” and is telling of the Joseph Bigirimana, IRRI coordinator in Eastern
good climate.” government’s desire to be free from and Southern Africa; Dr. Matthew Morell, IRRI
* # +--+ the problem of low rice production. deputy director general for research; Mr. George
Iranga, head of Chollima Research Centre; Dr.
ies jointly released as Komboka and # ! 
Superior performance of new traders,” said Fermin Mizambwa, - - 4 9*-+/
varieties @ IRRI has provided, on the ground, a
Agriculture Seed Agency (ASA). scientist with expertise in agronomy
$ ASA, through a joint demonstration and seed systems and a local liaison.
two new varieties is twice to almost with farmers, millers, and traders '
thrice the average rice yield of the to identify preferred varieties, new varieties is fully exploited, IRRI
country, which is 2.0 tons per hectare. learned that yield, aroma, and is working closely with the Regional
Komboka can yield 6.5–7 tons per & $'$ Rice Centre of Excellence (RRCoE)
# $ => ' $ $ and other local institutions for the
per hectare. Komboka is aromatic demonstration resulted in millers development of improved agronomic
# # G LNPQT management practices and good
rainfed lowland ecosystems, which 5) for production and branding. “In $ & $
; fact, a miller has a contract with production and delivery to farmers.
9 ' # 1,000 rice farmers to produce Saro Moreover, Dr. Rosemary Murori, IRRI
twice a year—during the rainy season 5,” added Dr. Mizambwa. “Based on rice breeder stationed in Kenya, is
from January to June and during the our experience, Komboka has all the overseeing the breeding activities.
dry season from August to December. $ T > “We are also looking to support
Farmers can cash in on their crop such a business model.” ; ;
experience serious weed problems, $
PAPA SECK (third from left) has
helped smallholder farmers gain
access to improved technologies.
PAPA ABDOULAYE SECK:
an advocate of research for
Africa’s development
R RAMAN, AFRICARICE (2)
by Savitri Mohapatra
His vision and commitment to the goals of AfricaRice have taken it to new heights
of excellence and impact
T
he winds of change that swept aim to transform the rice production Inventing a new type of scientist
across the Africa Rice Center of African countries, Dr. Seck has On joining AfricaRice, Dr. Seck
(AfricaRice) were unmistakable. enabled several governments to reiterated his strong conviction that
This occurred from the time formulate favorable rice policies Africa would either develop through
Papa Abdoulaye Seck, a specialist and make rice more available to the science and technology or not
in agricultural strategy and policy poorest in each country. Thanks to develop at all.
analysis from Senegal, was appointed him, AfricaRice has become a catalyst “One of my cherished dreams
as AfricaRice director general in 2006 behind the remarkable visibility of " |
until his departure in 2013 to become the rice sector in sub-Saharan Africa *
Senegal’s minister of agriculture and (SSA). this Center is without doubt an
rural equipment. Today, he is highly regarded invaluable tool to develop a more
His vision and commitment by many young Africans as a man vigorous African rice sector,” he said.
to the goals of AfricaRice have # " * Y As part of his vision and strategy
transformed the Center and have dream of feeding itself and as an "
taken it to new heights of excellence epitome of a new breed of leaders sustainable institute, Dr. Seck put
and impact. who believe in the need to move forward the idea of a “total scientist.”
As an outstanding spokesperson from theory to practice, and from He said that the need of the hour
thinking to action. for Africa was a “total scientist” who
6
36 Rice Today January-March 2014
# ^ " tripled since 2006, which helped
herself to a laboratory or a research substantially increase the number
station. This scientist would also and volume of joint rice projects
be able to listen, understand, and covering member states.
tackle the real problems of end-users, “He has left behind an
develop winning project proposals, exceptionally well-managed,
generate relevant knowledge and " $ " $
$ vibrant organization,” the AfricaRice
with partners, anticipate problems, Board of Trustees commended.
and be ready with options.
“In brief, in today’s world, a Stronger partnership
‘total researcher’ must be able to PAPA ABDUOLAYE Seck has Dr. Seck is a solid believer in the
" received the Legion d’honneur’, power of collaboration. He and
$ France's highest distinction. Robert Zeigler, director general of the
anticipate future research needs,” he International Rice Research Institute,
explained. out policies and projects that helped made history in 2006 by entering into
He called for a change in smallholder farmers gain access a real partnership for rice research.
to improved technologies through “We have to generate knowledge
administrators when spelling out the ; " ; and technology that can have an
'$ # | and farm machinery. $ impact in Africa by pooling together
$&$ " policy activity since the onset of the our resources, our intelligence, and
excellence, interdisciplinarity, a rice crisis has had a positive impact 
Banking on Africa’s
rice potential
R RAMAN, AFRICARICE (7)
by Savitri Mohapatra
The 3rd Africa Rice Congress issued a clarion call to increase
investments in Africa’s rice sector so that the continent can
realize its rice promise
T
he 3rd Africa Rice Congress, under the aegis of the Cameroonian
held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, government.
in October 2013, emphasized “We recognize the need to scale
the need to invest in the up our investments for modernizing
modernization and mechanization of the rice sector and also increase our
Africa’s rice industry and aggregation support to research and extension,”
of farm output, while safeguarding stated Cameroon Prime Minister
land rights of smallholders and Philemon Yang, in his opening
improving livelihoods. There was message that was delivered by
also a call to establish a world-class : U T "
research infrastructure in Africa to Research and Innovation Dr.
identify rice genetic materials for Madeleine Tchuinte.
resistance to major biotic and abiotic The Congress took stock
stresses and to strengthen the rice of advances in rice science
sector development hub network as and technology and provided
well as other rice-related research, opportunities to discuss institutional
extension, and capacity building for innovations, policies, partnerships,
greater and faster impact across the and investments needed to ensure
rice value chain. that rice sector development becomes
Rice has become more critical to a veritable engine for smallholder
achieving food security and political and agribusiness development and
stability on the continent. Despite economic growth in Africa.
rapid growth in rice production “This will not only contribute
in sub-Saharan Africa (8.4% per to food security, but will also help
year) from 2007 to 2012, the African reduce rice imports and create
continent continues to rely heavily on $
the world market to satisfy increasing value chain,” said AfricaRice Deputy
consumption demand for rice, with Director General Marco Wopereis.
imports reaching 12 million tons of “Let’s not forget that, over the next 15
milled rice in 2012, costing more than years, an estimated 330 million young
US$5 billion. Africans will be looking for a job.”
These issues were debated in
Engine of Africa’s growth a Ministerial Policy Dialogue—
Themed Rice Science for Food Security organized with support from FAO—
through Smallholder and Agribusiness involving ministers from Chad,
Development in Africa, the Congress Cameroon, The Gambia, Mali, and
was organized by the Africa Rice Senegal.
Center (AfricaRice), the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the Special events
United Nations (FAO), and the Private-sector and research and
Institute of Agricultural Research for development partners showcased
Development of Cameroon (IRAD) their work in the Congress
8
34 Rice Today January-March 2014
Exhibition, which featured a More than 650 participants
special section on small-scale rice : PN
mechanization. A Cameroon Rice countries—including 35 African
Day allowed participants to visit the countries. They comprised rice
IRAD research facilities in Yaoundé. farmers, seed producers, rice
Realizing Africa’s Rice Promise, processors, input dealers, agricultural
a new book jointly published by machinery manufacturers,
AfricaRice and CABI, was also representatives from agricultural
released as part of the special events ministries, national and international
of the Congress. The book provides rice research and extension
a comprehensive overview of communities, nongovernment
Africa’s rice sector and ongoing rice organizations, donors, and other
research and development activities, development partners.
indicating priorities for action on
how to realize the promise of rice in a Ms. Mohapatra is the head of the
sustainable and equitable manner. Marketing and Communications at
A side event focused on a AfricaRice.
training course in science journalism
relating to rice R&D activities in The Congress formulated the following recommendations for governments, farmer
Africa was organized with support organizations, civil society, the private sector, R&D partners, regional economic
from the Global Rice Science communities, and donors:
Partnership (GRiSP), the CGIAR Investments in Africa’s rice sector and management of abiotic and biotic
Research Program on Rice. y Invest in modernization and stresses in the face of climate change to
A plaque of appreciation was mechanization of Africa’s farming and sustainably increase rice production;
presented to Cameroon President Paul in aggregation of farm output, while yEstablish world-class research
Biya for the support of the Cameroon safeguarding land rights of smallholders infrastructure in Africa to evaluate rice
government to the rice sector. A and improving livelihoods; genetic material for major stresses
distinguished service award was y Strengthen farmer organizations to and consumer demand, and ensure
presented to Dr. Papa Abdoulaye Seck, ensure that farmers capture a fair share of that progress made worldwide in rice
former AfricaRice director general and value added in the value chain; genetics and breeding can be captured;
current minister of agriculture and yStimulate the development of public- yStrengthen and expand the rice sector
private partnerships and small-scale development hub network and facilitate
rural equipment of Senegal.
enterprises, and provide technical and rice knowledge exchange to achieve
business training to Africa’s rapidly greater and more rapid impact across the
Promising initiatives and growing cadre of unemployed youth to rice value chain;
exchanges find jobs in the rice sector; yUrge African governments and their
During the closing ceremony, awards yCombine supply-shifting, demand-lifting, development partners to substantially
were presented for best papers, and value-adding investments to ensure strengthen the retention and training
best posters, most promising young rapid and sustainable development of of new research and extension staff,
scientist, and outstanding local affordable rice and rice-based products while updating agricultural curricula
entrepreneurs from Africa in seed for different consumers; in vocational training schools and
production and local manufacturing yConsider the establishment of strategic universities;
of small-scale machinery. regional rice reserves, relying on national yUrge African governments to comply
stocks, but with coordination at the with the Maputo Declaration and
Immediately after the closure
regional level to reduce price volatility; increase the proportion of their national
of the Africa Rice Congress, the yEstablish minimum and maximum budgets to scientific research to levels
2013 Global Forum of GRiSP was import tariffs agreed upon at the regional commensurate with international
held, at which updates on global level that allow for raising import tariffs in standards;
and African rice initiatives were times of low world market prices and vice yAcknowledge AfricaRice as leading the
presented, followed by sessions versa; African component of GRiSP to enable
on Bilateral support for African rice yDevelop sustainable seed systems the pooling of resources, building
and Coordinating investments in rice through coherent policies, strategies, and capacity, and aligning of national and
development in Africa involving a functional public–private partnerships. international rice research agendas;
broad range of investors interested in yAsk FAO to stimulate national, regional,
Africa’s rice sector. Investments in rice R&D and capacity and global partnerships to develop
building Africa’s rice sector, as part of the
!T @ # "
yFoster greater regional and international efforts of the Coalition of African Rice
ways to leverage opportunities and collaboration on the development Development and under the overall
make the most of our resources and and diffusion of improved varieties, umbrella of the Comprehensive Africa
knowledge to boost Africa’s rice sec- ecological intensification of rice farming, Agriculture Development Program.
tor,” said GRiSP Director Bas Bouman.
Rice Today January-March 2014 935
by Savitri Mohapatra
government is
strengthening the
country’s rural
Cameroon: Ce
potential ri
Cameroon may soon gain infrastructure such
as irrigation, milling
fame as a rising star in rice and processing
production facilities, and farm-
to-market roads.
Government-
owned corporations,
T
he Republic of Cameroon is such as the
often described as “Africa in Company for the
miniature” because of its rich Expansion and
diversity of climate, ecology, Modernization of
landscape, and culture. Few are Rice in Yagoua in
aware that the country has huge Far North province
potential to not only achieve rice self- and the Upper Nun
$ Valley Development
granary of Central Africa. Authority (UNVDA)
The country is endowed with in the Northwest
large areas of arable land, abundant province, are being
water resources, and favorable revamped to support
agroclimatic conditions that are rice farmers.
R RAMAN, AFRICARICE (2)
conducive to rice production. UNVDA, for
Recognizing its agribusiness example, supports
EXCLUSIVE SHOWROOM for rice of the Upper Nun Valley
potential, and in response to the food about 13,000 rice Development Authority (UNVDA) in Ndop, Cameroon.
$ : farmers, facilitating
in 2008, the government is taking their access to
measures to revitalize the rice sector. improved seeds, fertilizer, herbicide, Highlighting the vital role of
information, and training as well as research in the revival of the rice sec-
improve the country’s food security equipment rental services for farm tor, IRAD Director General Noé Woin
are supported by the World Bank, the operations. said, “The government recognizes
International Fund for Agricultural The company also provides a the need to support a strong research
Development, the Japan International market for farmers by buying rice and development program to develop
Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Afri- from them. “Thanks to the UNVDA improved technologies for smallhold-
can Development Bank (AfDB), and support, I have been able to pay er farmers to help them raise their
the Food and Agriculture Organiza- school fees for my children and output and income.”
tion of the United Nations (FAO). medical bills from the sale of my rice
harvest,” remarked Mr. Ako Thea Serious constraints
Reviving the rice sector Francis, a rice farmer from Ndop. [
Rice is still a relatively new crop in constraints hinder the country from
certain areas of Cameroon although Connecting researchers expanding and intensifying its
the Far North, Northwest, and West and farmers rice production. These challenges
provinces have a long tradition of rice The Institute of Agricultural Research include a lack of good-quality
cultivation. for Development (IRAD) is a public seed and adequate equipment for
Moreover, rice is increasingly institution that has been collaborating labor-intensive tasks, and a lack of
becoming an important commodity with international partners to postharvest technologies to make
fueled by shifts in consumer develop improved rice varieties local rice competitive in the market.
preferences and rapid urbanization. and technologies to increase rice The country’s rice production has
In Tonga, for example, homage is paid productivity in the region. Technology not yet been able to keep pace with
yearly to the farmer who introduced packages developed by IRAD are the increasing demand. Over the last
rice in the region. Here, local rice is shared to farmers for faster adoption. #$ $
preferred over imported varieties; “We multiply the foundation seed has been less than 20%, according
when quality concerns are met, of improved rice varieties received to the United States Department
consumers are prepared to pay a from IRAD and provide seeds to of Agriculture and FAO. In 2012,
premium for local varieties. farmers at subsidized rates,” said Cameroon produced 102,000 tons of
With renewed interest in the Ms. Lilian Yacoumbo, UNVDA chief paddy rice and had to import up to
rice sector in recent years, the 375,000 tons of rice to meet its demand.
10
36 Rice Today October-December 2013entral Africa’s local rice in Central
Africa.” Carried out
by AfricaRice and
project to enhance the quality and
marketability of locally produced
rice through improved harvest and
ice granary
its national partners postharvest technologies.
from Cameroon, The project, which is carried
the Central African out by AfricaRice with its partners,
Republic, and Chad, aims to develop and evaluate suitable
it aims to build harvest and postharvest technologies
rural enterprises that help produce quality rice
through co-sharing products that respond to market
mechanisms. demand.
Upland The project gives households
and lowland opportunities to raise their income
NERICA varieties by promoting the development of
selected through new rice-based products and rice by-
participatory products. Now, it is exploring the use
varietal selection "
were introduced items.
along with “Strengthening the capacity of
improved crop rice stakeholders throughout the
management value chain, from farmers through
practices to boost millers and parboilers to marketers,
rice productivity. is a major part of the project,” said
After that, the Dr. Jean Moreira, AfricaRice project
Ndop Rice Value Chain Cooperative project established coordinator.
Quality Processing and Training
Center, Ndop, Cameroon.
a “rapid-impact”
seed program, Looking forward
postharvest The Cameroon rice sector is
Overcoming challenges technologies, processing activities, $ "
Another constraint is the long distance and links with input dealers and collaborative research for
between the major rice production " development activities carried
facilities and the main cities, which are “To ensure competitiveness, out by AfricaRice and its partners
" # ‘one-stop shop’ quality-processing with support from several donors,
“Cameroon-made” rice. centers, were established to enhance including the AfDB, CFC, Canada,
“Thus, JICA has launched a quality along the whole value chain the European Union, Japan, the Arab
program to support mainly the from seed through milling, sorting, Bank for Economic Development
production of upland rice in the and packaging to marketing,” said in Africa, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Center, South, and East provinces Ms. Dorothy Malaa, IRAD national Foundation, and the Global Rice
of Cameroon, so that people living project coordinator. Science Partnership, the CGIAR
in these areas can eat their own The quality-processing center in Research Program on Rice.
rice,” said Dr. Yoshimi Sokei, a JICA Ndop, which was inaugurated in 2013 IRAD is involved in all the
advisor based in Yaoundé. $: Y " Africa-wide Rice Task Forces covering
The National Rice Development " breeding, agronomy, processing
Strategy, drafted in 2009 within the success of this model. and value addition, mechanization,
the framework of the Coalition for Quality rice as well as rice bran policy, and gender. It has welcomed
African Rice Development, has an and other by-products are sold an approach, rice sector development
ambitious aim to raise domestic to both wholesalers and retailers. hubs, for greater coherence and
production to 627,250 tons by 2018. The production and marketing "
To achieve this vision, the Cameroon # hubs representing the main rice
government has deployed the opportunities for women farmers ecosystems in the country.
following strategies. who can process and sell rice-based With all these measures in place,
products. Cameroon is well on its way to realize
Building rural enterprises its vision for a high-quality
y rice sector
Some challenges are being tackled Focus on postharvest serving the entire region.
through collaborative research such technologies
as the innovative Common Fund for Cameroon is one of eight pilot
Commodities (CFC)-funded project countries that are partnering Ms. Mohapatra is the head of Marketing
on “Improving the competitiveness of in a pioneering Canada-funded and Communications at AfricaRice.
Rice Today October-December 2013 11
37UGANDA:
blazing a trail
to rice success
R. RAMAN, AFRICARICE (4)
by Savitri Mohapatra
Uganda’s rice imports decreased and its food security improved because of its
growing rice production
U
ganda—widely known and Market Access at Sasakawa upland rice as a major strategic
as “the pearl of Africa” Global 2000 (SG2000). intervention for food security and
for its exquisite natural poverty reduction. Because of Dr.
$ T ['$Y $4 #
fauna, and rich mosaic of cultures— Africa would like to achieve. Yet, 10 Museveni launched the Upland
$ years ago, Uganda was barely known - 4 ^ NN # $
potential rice basket for eastern $ acknowledged as the turning point for
Africa. region. So, what triggered the rice the growth of Uganda’s rice sector.
Over the last few years, Uganda transformation? The campaign encouraged several
has been experiencing a remarkable nongovernment organizations (NGOs)
rice boom supported by good farming NERICA fills the void and development partners to join
practices, premium market prices, In 2000 and 2001, when the price forces with the Ugandan government.
and favorable policies that have of maize plunged in the region, These were the Japan International
stimulated large private investment Uganda’s government and farmers : * $
in the rice sector. were desperate for an alternative crop / 4
The growth of Uganda’s rice that could provide food security and Food and Agriculture Organization
production has contributed to greater income. of the United Nations, Oxfam, and the
food security and a reduction in Through the timely assistance United States Agency for International
rice imports. For instance, according provided by SG2000 and the National Development, in addition to SG2000.
to the Ugandan government, rice Agricultural Research Organization The government and these
imports dropped between 2005 and Q/*- /-+:* ^
2008, which helped save the country varieties developed by the Africa promote rice and strengthen the
about US$30 million in foreign - :Q* - capacity of rice farmers, millers,
exchange earnings. /-+:*N#" traders, and extension workers.
The area sown to rice nearly as a suitable replacement for maize. The rice scheme also motivated
doubled from about 80,000 hectares in /-+:*# NN $
2002 to about 150,000 hectares in 2011. # $/-+:*N /*T:T: $ #U
Similarly, paddy production jumped !+ /-+:* T 4 T T
from about 120,000 tons in 2002 to became so popular that, by 2008, it +:*T
more than 220,000 tons in 2011. occupied almost 70% of the upland ! - 4 ^
“The rice industry in the country area under production,” said Dr. $
has rapidly moved from improved Jimmy Lamo, a rice breeder at NARO. partnership, with each partner playing
seed to production to processing "
and to the markets over the last few The turning point and commercialization,” said Nicolai
years,” said Robert Anyang, program Gilbert Bukenya, the then vice Rodeyns, managing director of
4 4 4 " /*T:T: $/*T:
12
16 Rice Today April-June 2013MAP BY NEL GARCIA
was instrumental in the production value by developing niche products Y # “The activities involved in rice The boom in Uganda’s rice production
(35% for Kenya), according to Mr. value addition have potential to create is also partly due to the resurgence of
Anyang. wealth for all in the value chain, the Kibimba Rice Scheme. It currently
“As the Ugandan government including farmers, transporters, produces about 20,000 tons of rice per
didn’t have the money to support middlemen, millers, traders, and the year, which is 20% of the total rice
subsidies, this was a good way to $Training Africa’s national partners in rice biotechnology
Giving an EDGE to young
African researchers by Savitri Mohapatra
I
t was a proud moment for three knowledge of rice in Africa,” declared DR. NDJIONDJOP of AfricaRice, second from left, is
helping national partners to use molecular breeding
PhD students from West Africa Prof. Mark Laing, director, African techniques to speed up the process of developing
participating in the graduation Centre for Crop Improvement at the disease- and pest-resistant rice varieties.
ceremony at the University of University of KwaZulu-Natal. “They
9#] / 4 are also keen to apply their newly
South Africa. They had just acquired skills in their respective extinction. These varieties were then
taken a decisive step forward in countries.” ; "
" Their doctoral research was /* "
$ supported through a USAID-funded -U
Mounirou El-Hassimi Sow AfricaRice project on the application resistance.
of Niger, Honoré Kam of Burkina of marker-assisted selection (MAS).
Faso, and Kouadio Nasser Yao of " The making of a work force
Côte d'Ivoire all had worked in $ # Q-U + $
$ $ (see the news report on page 8) and MAS to transfer major rice genes is
the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) # ## $ ;
in Cotonou, Benin, under the stresses, African rice gall midge $
supervision of Marie-Noelle Q*-U develop varieties that are resistant
Ndjiondjop. Their sense of pride was (BLB). to diseases and pests and tolerant of
$ ^ As part of their studies, the
Benin, who successfully defended his students traveled thousands of However, many African countries
PhD thesis in front of an international ' $ $ lack adequate local research capacity
panel of scientists at the University of to interview rice farmers and collect in this area. In response to a strong
* $: [ their local varieties. Mounirou, for
“These students have each =N AfricaRice is progressively helping
^ rice varieties, many of which face develop a work force of national
14 Rice Today October-December 2012 31R. RAMAN/AFRICARICE (3)
researchers trained to apply
$ & that scientists can apply their
critical to solving agricultural newly acquired skills when
they return to their countries,
For Dr. Ndjiondjop, the Dr. Ndjiondjop and her
overall strategy is to advance team have helped purchase
Africa toward the concept of &
! From
tiger
shrimp
to rice
by Savitri Mohapatra
A rice breeder from The Gambia looks back at his humble
R. RAMAN, AFRICARICE (2)
R
eminiscing about his early U Y @
years, Baboucarr Manneh $
" @ stages of his career. farmers through research.
with research was a few For Dr. Manneh, working
months after high school in 1988. A lover of nature and science # ^ $
He served as a hatchery assistant in Born to a farming family in a small humbling. He is most touched when
an aquaculture lab where he looked village called Sukuta, Dr. Manneh $
has always been fascinated with @
larvae. the beauty and diversity of nature. # '
U ' @ $ ^ # ! $ #
biology, chemistry, and agriculture. last chicken to a visiting agricultural
$![ !+# $ $ |" fellow in the Biotechnology Unit in An advocate for partnership
Cotonou, Benin, where he worked Dr. Manneh is a strong advocate for
Agricultural Engineering Unit and closely with his team on using !/
then in the Socioeconomics Unit. marker-assisted selection and -
4 # '# sources to tackle the challenges faced
& in converting Africa from a net food
for rice and coarse grains and to Drought stress causes substantial @ Ethiopia’s
Rice by Savitri Mohapatra
millennium crop
Rice is now a major livelihood option for farmers in Ethiopia
and an important crop for the country’s food security
E
thiopia, Africa’s oldest
independent country and the RICE HAS become a profitable crop for farmers
of Fogera District in northwestern Ethiopia.
cradle of an ancient civilization,
is fast emerging as one of the big
rice-producing countries in sub-Saharan
Africa.
“Area rose from 6,000 hectares
in 2005 to nearly 222,000 hectares in
2010 and paddy production from 15,460
tons to 887,400 tons,” Dr. Tereke Berhe,
former regional rice coordinator at
Sasakawa Africa Association and current
special advisor for rice at the Agriculture
Transformation Agency in Ethiopia, said.
“At the same time, the number of rice
farmers increased from 18,000 to more
than 565,000.”
R. RAMAN, AFRICARICE (4)
Millennium crop
Although rice has just been recently
introduced to Ethiopia, recognizing its
importance as a food security crop and
a source of income and employment
opportunities, the government of available labor, and vast areas suitable for have switched to this crop in the rainy
Ethiopia has named it the “millennium both rainfed and irrigated systems. season and have become prosperous
crop,” and has ranked it among the In Ethiopia, about 30 million since then.”
priority commodities of the country. hectares are suitable for rice, according Rice has also become popular
The national rice research and to the NRRDS. Vertisols, or black clay because it can be used to make many
development strategy (NRRDS) for soils, are abundant in the country and valuable by-products, such as rice husk,
2010-19 has been prepared to tackle have a high agricultural potential. But, rice bran, and beer. It can also partially or
rice-related progress in rice value chain, to work with, as they fully replace teff in the making of injera.
postharvest, grain quality, and marketing are hard when dry and sticky when
issues. wet. Contribution of research
According to Dr. Berhe, the rice “Earlier, farmers used to abandon Thanks to active rice R&D activities and
sector in the country saw a phenomenal the waterlogged vertisols in the Fogera with strong support from the Ethiopian
growth from 2005 to 2010. plains—a major rice belt in northwestern government, Sasakawa Global 2000
Ethiopia—during the rainy season,” (SG 2000), and the Japan International
Abundant rice explained Bayuh Belay Abera, national Cooperation Agency (JICA), farmers
Until a few years ago, the staple food rice research coordinator at Adet have access to several improved varieties
crops in Ethiopia were maize, wheat, Agricultural Research Center in Bahir and crop management techniques.
Dar. SG 2000 introduced NERICA rice
to the country, which is used for making “But now rice serves as a major varieties from the Africa Rice Center
“injera,” a traditional Ethiopian bread. livelihood option in this area,” said Mr. (AfricaRice). In the last few years,
Rice started to be recognized in the Abera. “When farmers saw that it grows NERICA 1 and NERICA 2 have been
country because of its good productivity, well under waterlogged conditions, they
18
26 Rice Today January-March 2012irrigated ecologies; NERICA 3, ONE OF the main thrusts of the national
NERICA 4, and SUPARICA rice development strategy in Ethiopia is the
1 for upland ecologies; promotion of postharvest technologies such
as rice threshers and rice mills.
and NERICA 14,
NERICA 15, and
NERICA 16 for
irrigated ecologies.
In addition,
various other improved
varieties, such as Shebele
(IR688059-76-3-3-3-2), Gode-1
(BG-90-2), and Hoden (MTU-
1001), have been released for
irrigated systems. Among the
traditional varieties, farmers
continue to grow “X-jigna,”
which was introduced by the North
Koreans for the rainfed lowlands.
However, since much of the
arable land in the country is located in
mid to high altitudes, cold-tolerant rice
varieties are essential for these areas. tolerant varieties have been selected— Breeding Task Force, which has been
As part of the IRRI-AfricaRice joint FOFIFA 3737 from the Madagascar launched to build the rice breeding
Stress-Tolerant Rice for Africa and South national program released in 2010 for capacity of national partners and stimulate
Asia (STRASA) project, researchers are the irrigated ecology and WAB 189 from the delivery of improved technologies
focusing on developing cold-tolerant rice AfricaRice released in 2011 for rainfed through strong partnership between
varieties for such regions. lowlands. Through participatory varietal international and national rice scientists.
“We have been evaluating varieties Such partnership will be vital to
for cold tolerance in partnership with varieties have acceptable grain quality. realizing the Ethiopian government’s
the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural “The farmers showed great interest plan to raise paddy production to about
Research and the Amhara Region in WAB 189 because of its earliness, high 4 million tons in 2019 and increase rice
Agricultural Research Institute,” said yield, and good biomass,” said Tadesse area to 774,000 hectares.
Dr. Negussie Zenna, an AfricaRice Lakew, rice breeder at Adet Center.
researcher who is closely involved with Dr. Lakew is among the new
the STRASA project. generation of young African rice scientists
As a result of this work, two cold- who are trained through the AfricaRice
DR. BAYUH Belay Abera, national rice research
coordinator at Adet Agricultural Research Center in
Ethiopia, hopes to strengthen R&D partnership with
international organizations.
DR. TADESSE Lakew, rice breeder at Adet Agricultural
Research Center, shows variety WAB 189, which was
Paddy production in Ethiopia, 2005-2010 released in 2011 for the rainfed lowlands.
Rice Today January-March 2012 19
27COUNTRY SNAPSHOT:
IRRI in Burundi
Compiled by Sophie Clayton
Kirundo
Kireka
Muramba
Rugombo Ngozi
Akagoma
Cankuzo-Mishiha
Mbaraga
Mwiruzi
Gihanga
Mugerero
Mutimbuzi
Kirekura
Kinama Bujumbura
Mubone
ice was introduced in Burundi Burundi. The International
naational
R
IRRI Sites
in 1890, but it did not develop Rice Research Institute
tuute
Lowland
(IRRI) estimates that,
hatt, in
High elevation
irrigated scheme of 2,550 2010, about 75,000 to
tons
ons of rough
ORGES
hectares was installed. rice were produced inn the country,
RUGIRA GE
Traditionally, in Burundi, rice was and another 40,000 to
tons
ons of rice
eaten only once or twice a year during were imported.
MAP: HABA
feasts and festivals. In the 1980s, with
the introduction of locally adapted rice IRRI in Burundi
and the distribution of rice in schools IRRI started working in Burundi in 2008
and the military by the government, when a Memorandum of Understanding
it rapidly became popular. Now, many between the country and the Institute was
Burundians eat rice every day. signed. The beginnings of this agreement
Burundi has three major rice- came after current IRRI Liaison Scientist Burundi: fast facts
producing ecologies: the irrigated and Coordinator for Burundi Joseph Population (July 2011 estimate): 10.2 million1
areas of the Imbo plain, the rainfed Bigirimana attended the Rice Research Total land area (2011): 2.8 million ha1
2
Annual rice consumption (2007): 6.2 kg/person
(nonirrigated) areas of Imbo and Moso to Production Training Course at IRRI Area of rice production (2008): 21,000 ha
2
lowlands, and the nonirrigated areas of in 2006. Average rice yield (2008): 3.38 tons per ha
2
the elevated marshland region. !! 1
CIA World Factbook
Rice is grown once a year in University of Burundi campus, in the 2
World Rice Statistics, www.irri.org/world-rice-statistics
20
18 Rice Today October-December 2011Burundi: average rice consumption
1961-2007
Rice production training for women
In 2010, 398 ex-combatant women were
Kilograms per person per year
7 trained in a joint IRRI-CARE project
in all aspects of rice production. (See
6 Women of war turn to rice in Burundi on
5 page 28.)
4 Tackling blast
3 Blast is the most serious disease that
affects rice production in Burundi. A
2 total of 29 rice lines, each containing one
1 by Savitri Mohapatra
The Africa Rice Breeding Task Force responds to the call for an improved research and extension capacity
on the continent through a collaborative approach to rice breeding
R. RAMAN
R
ice breeders in sub- that will build much-needed
Saharan Africa (SSA) rice breeding capacity, facilitate
are an endangered access of African rice breeders
species, according to Dr. to new materials, stimulate rice
Moussa Sié, Africa Rice Center germplasm evaluation across
(AfricaRice) senior scientist. the continent, and, in general,
“Since classical plant breeding shorten the time needed to deploy
is no longer fashionable, very new climate-resilient and stress-
few students are taking up this tolerant rice varieties for major
discipline,” he remarked. “Even production systems in SSA.
the handful of rice breeders who “The international
are working in national programs agricultural research centers
today are generally above 45 years (IARCs) cannot do this alone nor
old.” can the NARS,” said Dr. Sié, who
A survey, which was is the overall coordinator of this
conducted among AfricaRice’s Task Force, which is supported by
+ the joint IRRI-AfricaRice Japan-
observation. It showed that even funded breeding project.
a country the size of Nigeria has Dr. Sié described the
only two rice breeders. “Africa Breeding Task Force as a
needs trained rice breeders—most partnership of rice breeders
African countries have none,” said from NARS and IARCs in
? @ @ Africa, which will provide
for a Green Revolution in Africa, synergy to breeding efforts
pointing out the lack of national across the continent, thereby
SOME MEMBERS of the Africa Rice Breeding Task Force team (from left
capacity in rice breeding. to right): Ms. Bernice Bancole, laboratory technician; Mr. Abdoulaye increasing impact. To enhance
Drawing attention to the Sow, agronomist; Dr. Mamadou MBare Coulibaly, chair; Breeding Task communication and collaboration
desperate lack of research Force; Dr. Jimmy Lamo, vice-chair, Breeding Task Force, and Dr. Moussa among all the partners of the
Sié, coordinator, Breeding Task Force.
and extension capacity, which Breeding Task Force, a dedicated
threatens to impede the progress Web site has been developed. (See
in developing Africa’s rice sector, of critical mass, and ownership by the www.africarice.org/afribreed/.)
participants of the Second Africa Rice national agricultural research systems
Congress, held in March 2010, urged (NARS). The scope of the “force”
African governments and their partners The Breeding Task Force covers mainly
to substantially strengthen the training The Africa Rice Breeding Task Force the four mega-environments in SSA—
and retention of new staff. In response to this call, the Africa Rice the rainfed lowland, irrigated, upland,
The Congress also called for the Breeding Task Force was launched in and high-elevation ecologies. The
revival of the successful Task Force June 2010 to regroup scarce human challenges in these mega-environments
approach, introduced by AfricaRice in resources devoted to rice breeding in are many and breeders must be able
the 1990s. The Task Force consists of Africa and help build a new generation of to tackle these challenges through
an Africa-wide collective research for rice breeders across the continent. improvements in productivity, stability
development effort on critical thematic The main thrust of the Breeding and adaptability and grain quality of rice.
areas in the rice sector, based on the Task Force is to adopt a systematic Responsibilities for the different
principles of sustainability, buildup collaborative approach to rice breeding mega-environments have been divided
22
20 Rice Today October-December 2011among AfricaRice and IRRI breeders conditions. “This feature is a bit like the are expected to enhance the quality of
based in Africa, who work closely with Olympic Games,” Dr. Kumashiro said. evaluation.
their NARS colleagues. The second unique feature is that the This will result in increased
The main thrust of the Breeding breeding lines will be cultivated at many credibility on recommended varieties as
Task Force consists of a 3-phase sites and exposed to not just a few but well as credibility of data accumulated.
evaluation of rice breeding lines from many breeders from different institutes. “We expect that this will shorten the time
IARCs and NARS, starting from the The multiyear and multilocation trials lag between the completion of breeding
regional trial, then national +
trials, and participatory varietal release,” Dr. Kumashiro
varietal selection trials (a rice Multistage Regional Trial Network stated.
garden followed by 2 years Africa Rice Breeding Task Force Training programs for
of mother/baby trials). These Lines developed by ongoing AfricaRice breeding, experimental design,
Varieties dveloped by
trials are done in multiple Projects STRASA, GSR, GCP, Japan Rice
NARES, IRRI, CIAT and germplasm database
Breeding, etc.
locations in different countries management have been
(please see the map of Africa organized to upgrade the skills
Rice Breeding Task Force trial of rice researchers, including a
sites). Regional trials 500 lines/year training course held at IRRI in
The International Network Breeding October 2010 for rice breeders
Task Force
for the Genetic Evaluation of from various Asian and
National trials 100 lines/year
Rice (INGER)-Africa plays a African countries as well as a
key role in the multiplication training workshop organized by
and distribution of new seed Rice garden 50 lines/year AfricaRice in December 2010
for in-country hotspot testing Multilocation trial Baby trial 5 nominated to introduce the principles and
and participatory varietal Multilocation trial Baby trial lines/year new concepts of the experimental
testing trials and genotype- planning for plant breeding.
environment analyses. The Task Force will also
Takashi Kumashiro, Recommendation to target countries support MSc and PhD students,
regional theme leader of and link up with Global Rice
GRiSP Themes 11 and 22 Science Scholarships (GRiSS)
and leader of the AfricaRice and other types of scholarships.
Program on Genetic Diversity Map of Africa Rice Breeding Task Force trial sites.
and Improvement, explained Spotting the champions
that one of the unique features The key to the success of the
of such an approach is that Africa Rice Breeding Task Force
the breeding lines that enter will be timely and quality data
the Task Force are provided collection, management, and
by not one but many institutes interpretation for sound decisions
such as NARS in Africa as on moving germplasm forward
well as IRRI, the International in the various trials, according to
Center for Tropical Agriculture Dr. Kumashiro. “If that is done
(CIAT), and AfricaRice. well, smart G × E (genotype
For example, in 2011, by environment) analyses will
the breeding lines nominated enable us to select promising
for the lowland regional trial breeding lines to proceed to the
consisted of 13% lines from the High elevation next phase, that is, spot potential
Irrigated lowland
NARS, 34% from AfricaRice, Y[ \ >]
Rainfed lowland
14% from IRRI, and 39% from Rainfed lowland and upland
Hopefully, these “Olympic
CIAT. Upland champions” will help remove
The Task Force thus some barriers toward improved
enables the evaluation of many quality and quantity of rice
breeding lines with prior production on the continent
data on performance from kilometers
and put Africa on the map of
different sources under different potential sources of rice food
biophysical and socioeconomic security in the world.
1
Theme 1: Harnessing genetic diversity to chart new productivity, quality, and health horizons.
2
Theme 2: Accelerating the development, delivery, and adoption of improved rice varieties.
Rice Today October-December 2011 23
21JOSEPH BIGIMANA (2)
Women of war turn
by Sophie Clayton and Alaric Francis Santiaguel
Ex-combatant women in Burundi try a second chance for a peaceful life by turning to rice farming
B
urundi is a small landlocked = ~ ~ +
country in Central Africa. Long- ~ +
^ > ~ socially.
country broke out into a civil war > @! "++
}
_ # " @
#$$ $$$ > >]
#$$ ^ @ =#} resources to rebuild businesses or ! % !!
day.1 ' #$$ ' ~ + > @ +
! outcasts.
{ >
world.# ~ + =< !
> ' ' ' Country snapshot
Women of war {%
' ! + >
~ =4 = $$ = = !~ !! %
+ ! + " @ >
@ =< Replacing bullets with skills
' 3 #$$ >]
1
' ~ > ~>.
#
@ @ * ~ >
3
! * = >
}
% + @ + * >
+ ' ' >
24
28 Rice Today October-December 2011SOPHIE CLAYTON
n to rice in Burundi
+ +
“With IRRI’s assistance, I + > +
!! @!
produce rice myself and I ' + > >]
> " "
can eat rice with my children = !! % Participatory science
!! { +
whenever I need it.” '
us produce rice for family consumption. +
+ +
Ms. Elisabeth Nibigira + ] >
+ >
~ !! % >
~ ~
used small quantities because we could + >
> >]
! + % to perform well in different growing
+ '
+ !!
> ' ~ I now feel reintegrated into society. I
~ > ~ => @ +
* ' =
= = to be released soon as an outcome of
] >
] > ' ]
+ The future
] > ~ + ~ *
< > @ { + '
+ !! ~
' >] > > '
~ it also seeks funding to include more
In their own words +
+ + = +
++ ] > > ~ +
[ >
Rice Today October-December 2011 25
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