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IRRI-AFRICA has been developing and delivering solutions in Africa for nearly 60 years. Across the countries, we are working in over 15 countries in Africa with offices in five countries. IRRI-AFRICA leverages the extensive technologies and expertise from its work globally, to customize solutions for Africa in Africa.
The needs and opportunities—why it is critical to invest in rice in Africa Consumption of rice is rising more rapidly than any other commodity in sub-Saharan Africa.
Rice imports are soaring in sub-Saharan Africa, already costing the region USD 6.4 billion/year in 2018 and expected to reach USD 11 billion by 2030 unless serious measures are taken. Many countries in Africa have a high policy priority to reduce dependence on imported rice and be self-sufficient.
Over 230 million ha of inlands are estimated to be suitable for rice production yet roughly only 12 million ha are currently being used for the crop.
Yields have been improving but are still too low, at about half of the world average. It is a critical time where the rice industry is significantly expanding in Africa, when we can achieve the greatest impact in ensuring sustainable and healthy rice systems that are resilient and profitable for the smallholder farmers.
It is a critical time where the rice industry is significantly expanding in Africa, when we can achieve the greatest impact in ensuring sustainable and healthy rice systems that are resilient and profitable for the smallholder farmers.
IRRI-Africa Research Partners Adopt the Tricot Research Methodology
IRRI-Africa Research Partners Adopt the Tricot Research Methodology
IRRI-AFRICA introduced this new method to help farmers identify the most suitable technologies and products via field trials. It has been was widely adopted by three partner countries:
In Kenya where 24 tricot trials were conducted in 11 rice-growing hubs.
In Tanzania where 12 trials were distributed in 10 districts.
In Mozambique where 14 trials were held in 10 rice-growing hubs.
These field trials—along with product profiling—generated key information on varietal advantages over the benchmark and local check varieties. This served as the basis for strategic product positioning and scaling in the respective market segments.
The introduction of the tricot methodology is part of IRRI-AFRICA’s effort to unify and modernize existing IRRI-AFRICA introduced this new method to help farmers identify the most suitable technologies and products via field trials. It has been was widely adopted by three partner countries: In Kenya where 24 tricot trials were conducted in 11 rice-growing hubs. In Tanzania where 12 trials were distributed in 10 districts. In Mozambique where 14 trials were held in 10 rice-growing hubs. rice-breeding efforts in sub-Saharan Africa—as well as South Asia—under the Accelerated Genetic Gain in Rice (AGGRi) Alliance. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AGGRi’s aim is to increase rice yield and improve livelihoods of farmers in these diverse regions by strengthening its partnership with national research and extension systems.
Komboka, a New Superior Rice Variety Reaches Farmers
Komboka, a New Superior Rice Variety Reaches Farmers
One key rice variety promoted by IRRI-AFRICA is Komboka, which has several important traits superior to the commonly grown local variety including producing a higher number of tillers, longer panicles, and higher yields. In addition, the grains are aromatic and easy to thresh.
In crop demonstration sites, African farmers unanimously preferred Komboka. The variety has achieved widespread adoption by farmers in Kenya, where certified seed sales increased from less than 1 ton in 2020–21 to 66 tons in 2021–22. A similar trend is also expected to take place in Tanzania and Mozambique.
Komboka was developed through a collaboration among the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the National Irrigation Authority, and IRRIAFRICA. It was released in 2020 by KALRO. Other organizations such as the Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, the County Government of Kirinyaga, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and the Kilimo Trust under the Competitive African Rice Initiative in East Africa provided support via assessment and demonstrations of Komboka.
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