West African Farmers Report Success of Rice Project

The African Development Bank (AfDB) funded project of disseminating New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties in West African countries is sowing success, according to the Africa Rice Center (WARDA). Through the project, improved rice varieties have reached farmers in numerous countries like Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.

Farmers who benefited from the project reported the advantages of adopting the improved rice varieties. Bakary Togola, a Malian farmer was able to get a profit of USD 124,000 from the sale of NERICA seeds. Suleyman Mboob from The Gambia reported that he grew NERICA on 25 ha in 2006 and earned about USD 26,300. An impact study conducted by WARDA in Benin has shown the positive impacts of NERICA adoption on farmers’ livelihoods. Better harvests with more yield put extra cash in NERICA farmers’ pockets to support schooling, medical care and better diet. By the fifth year of the project, about 400,000 hectares of land are expected to be planted with NERICA in the pilot countries. The rice import bill of these countries is expected to be reduced by $ 100 million. The project started its operation in 2006.

Read the press release at http://www.warda.org/warda/newsrel-AfDB-nov07.asp