TAAT e-catalog
for
government
https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/gov/technologies/cram-varieties-high-yielding-climate-resilient-upland-rice-varieties-for-africa
Climate resilient CRAM varieties for enhanced rice productivity for African farmers
CRAM (Climate Resilient Upland Rice Varieties for Africa) are early-maturing, high-yielding rice varieties developed for rainfed upland production, including sloping fields and areas receiving around 800 mm of annual rainfall. Their 101–104-day growth cycle enables farmers to escape late-season drought and produce food within a relatively short period, while yield potential of up to 5.0 t/ha can contribute to higher domestic rice production. Their resistance to blast and brown spot can reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, while their adaptation to rainfed conditions reduces dependence on flooded irrigation. By increasing productivity in existing upland areas, CRAM varieties can support food security, rice import substitution, climate adaptation, and sustainable agricultural intensification. Their rainfed upland production system can also contribute to lower methane emissions than continuously flooded rice systems.
This technology is pre-validated.
|
Intersectional group |
Positive impacts |
|
Low-income/resource-constrained farmers |
|
|
Farmers in climate-vulnerable areas |
|
|
Women and youth in seed businesses |
|
Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable
Drought tolerance, short duration and disease resistance support production under variable rainfall and moderate climate stress.
Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement
Helps farmers reduce exposure to drought and erratic rainfall through adapted varieties and more reliable harvests.
Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released
Upland rainfed systems generally have much lower methane emissions than continuously flooded rice, but CRAM-specific emission reductions are unquantified.
Water use: Much less water used
Well suited to rainfed upland production, reducing reliance on irrigation, although specific water-use efficiency has not been demonstrated.
Biodiversity: Not verified
Disease resistance and higher productivity may reduce pressure on ecosystems and land expansion, but benefits depend on management.
Environmental health: Not verified
Disease resistance may reduce chemical use and reliable yields may reduce land-expansion pressure, depending on management.
Soil quality: Not yet estimated
CRAM does not directly improve soil fertility; soil health requires complementary fertility and residue-management practices.
By contributing to SDGs 1, 2, 13 and 15, CRAM offers governments an opportunity to address interconnected challenges of poverty, food insecurity, climate vulnerability and sustainable land management through a single agricultural investment. Its combination of high yield potential, early maturity, drought tolerance and disease resistance can strengthen the resilience and productivity of rainfed rice systems while supporting more sustainable use of agricultural land.
To translate these benefits into national-level impact, governments should consider the following key elements when integrating CRAM into agricultural programmes:
By linking climate-resilient varieties with quality seed systems, appropriate targeting and coordinated national support, CRAM can move beyond individual farmer benefits to contribute to broader national goals of food security, climate adaptation, sustainable land use and reduced poverty.
Every USD invested returns USD 0.3 net income.
Certified Seed Purchase
Official Variety Certification & Inspection
Foundation Seed Procurement
Expected Seed Yield
Open source / open access
|
Variety |
Interspecific Name / Pedigree |
Sowing-Maturity Cycle (Days) |
Yield Potential (t/ha) |
Milling Recovery (%) |
Head Rice Yield (%) |
1000-Grain Weight (g) |
Plant Height (cm) |
Amylose Content (%) |
Aromatic |
|
CRAM 1 |
ARICA 14 |
103 |
4.8 |
73% |
56% |
25.29 |
114 |
19% |
No |
|
CRAM 2 |
ARICA 15 |
102 |
5.0 |
72% |
59% |
26.09 |
115 |
19% |
No |
|
CRAM 3 |
ARCC3Fa3L10P1-1-B-1 |
104 |
4.9 |
75% |
57% |
27.07 |
121 |
19% |
No |
|
CRAM 4 |
ART15-16-12-3-1-B-1-B-3-1 |
101 |
4.6 |
66% |
50% |
25.00 |
121 |
19% |
Yes |
|
CRAM 6 |
ART35-49-1-7D-1 |
103 |
5.0 |
71% |
65% |
22.79 |
123 |
19% |
Yes |
|
CRAM 8 |
ART34-120-1-2-B-1 |
103 |
5.0 |
73% |
62% |
38.11 |
123 |
19% |
Yes |
|
CRAM 10 |
BRS PRIMAVERA / WAB638-1 |
102 |
4.0 |
72% |
68% |
37.00 |
112 |
19% |
N/A |
|
CRAM 12 |
ART35-272-1-2-B-1 |
102 |
5.0 |
72% |
68% |
37.78 |
119 |
18% |
Yes |
Scaling Readiness describes how complete a technology\’s development is and its ability to be scaled. It produces a score that measures a technology\’s readiness along two axes: the level of maturity of the idea itself, and the level to which the technology has been used so far.
Each axis goes from 0 to 9 where 9 is the “ready-to-scale” status. For each technology profile in the e-catalogs we have documented the scaling readiness status from evidence given by the technology providers. The e-catalogs only showcase technologies for which the scaling readiness score is at least 8 for maturity of the idea and 7 for the level of use.
The graph below represents visually the scaling readiness status for this technology, you can see the label of each level by hovering your mouse cursor on the number.
Read more about scaling readiness ›
Uncontrolled environment: validated
Used by some intended users, in the real world
| Maturity of the idea | Level of use | |||||||||
| 9 | ||||||||||
| 8 | ||||||||||
| 7 | ||||||||||
| 6 | ||||||||||
| 5 | ||||||||||
| 4 | ||||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||||
| 2 | ||||||||||
| 1 | ||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
|
Intersectional group |
Positive impacts |
|
Low-income/resource-constrained farmers |
|
|
Farmers in climate-vulnerable areas |
|
|
Women and youth in seed businesses |
|
|
Intersectional group |
Potential unintended impacts |
Mitigation measures |
|
Low-income/resource-constrained farmers |
|
|
|
Climate-vulnerable farmers |
|
|
|
Women and youth in seed businesses |
|
|
|
Intersectional group |
Adoption barriers |
Mitigation measures |
|
Low-income/resource-constrained farmers |
|
|
|
Climate-vulnerable farmers |
|
|
|
Women and youth seed entrepreneurs |
|
|
|
Cost of the investment Sum of all fixed and operational expenses.. |
USD 1,012 USD per hectare |
|---|---|
|
Gross revenue Sum of all income before subtracting costs. |
USD 1,320 USD per hectare |
|
Net income Gross revenue minus total cost. |
USD 308 USD per hectare |
|
Return on investment Percentage of income earned for each dollar invested, calculated as: (income ÷ cost of investment) × 100 |
30 % per hectare |
| Country | Testing ongoing | Tested | Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Côte d’Ivoire | –No ongoing testing | –Not tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
| AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arid | – | – | – | – |
| Semiarid | – | – | – | – |
| Subhumid | – | – | ||
| Humid | – | – |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
Higher and more reliable yields, early maturity and stress tolerance can reduce production risks and strengthen smallholder incomes.
More reliable rice harvests, good yield potential and early maturity can improve household food security and local rice supply.
Drought tolerance and short duration strengthen farmers’ adaptation to erratic rainfall and climate stress.
1. Select the right variety:
Choose the variety according to local agroecological conditions and production objectives. CRAM 4, 2, 10 and 12 are among the earliest varieties, while CRAM 4, 6, 8 and 12 offer desirable aromatic qualities.
2. Choose the right field:
Plant CRAM in well-drained upland or sloping fields, preferably with sandy loam or loamy soils. Avoid excessively sandy or heavy, compacted clay soils that can limit crop performance.
3. Prepare the field:
Establish a clean, loose seedbed by clearing and ploughing the field. Deep-plough to 20–25 cm, followed by a second ploughing shortly before sowing.
4. Plant at the right time:
Sow directly at the onset of reliable rains to ensure good crop establishment. Use 40–60 kg of seed/ha, with 20 × 20 cm spacing and a sowing depth of 2–3 cm.
5. Fertilise and control weeds:
Apply 200 kg/ha of NPK during the second ploughing. Maintain good weed control, particularly during the critical first 30–40 days. Apply 100 kg/ha of urea in two doses at 21 days and 55–60 days after sowing, ensuring the field is weed-free before each application.
6. Monitor the crop:
Regular field monitoring is important to detect insects, rodents, and birds early. Pay particular attention from the milky stage through maturity, when grain losses can increase.
7. Harvest at maturity:
Harvest when approximately two-thirds of the panicle has turned straw-coloured or when grain moisture reaches 22–25%. Depending on the variety, maturity occurs around 101–104 days after sowing.
8. Dry and store correctly:
Clean and thresh the paddy carefully, then dry it to approximately 14% moisture. Store in clean bags in a dry, well-ventilated facility to maintain grain quality and prevent spoilage.
Last updated on Sep 7, 2026
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones.
CRAM varieties: High Yielding Climate Resilient Upland Rice Varieties for Africa
https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/gov/technologies/cram-varieties-high-yielding-climate-resilient-upland-rice-varieties-for-africa
Last updated on 7 September 2026, printed on Sep 8, 2026
Enquiries e-catalogs@taat.africa
