ORYLUX varieties: Aromatic Rice for Africa

Local African aromatic rice

This technology is all about growing special types of delicious-smelling rice in Africa. These rice varieties are designed to grow well in African conditions. They taste really good and are in high demand. Right now, not enough of this rice is grown in Africa, so a lot of it has to be imported.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Increased productivity from ORYLUX may lead to higher incomes, enhancing economic stability for families.

The poor: Positive high

Adoption of ORYLUX raises income levels for low-income farmers, contributing to poverty alleviation.

Under 18: No impact

Women: Positive high

Increased income from rice sales can provide women with greater financial autonomy and opportunities for investment in their families or businesses.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Shorter maturity period enables farmers to adapt to unpredictable weather patterns and secure harvests even in challenging climates, contributing to resilience against climate change.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

The improved yields and resilience of these rice varieties enable farmers to maintain production levels despite changing environmental conditions, reducing vulnerability and increasing food security.

Problem

Low production of aromatic rice in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and high dependence on imports from Asia.
Limited access of farmers to seeds adapted to prevalent growing conditions.
Lack of availability of aromatic rice varieties suited to SSA's growing conditions.
Need to improve yields, quality, and resistance of rice crops in the region.
Insufficient connections between stakeholders in the agricultural value chain for the commercialization of aromatic rice varieties.

Solution

Development of aromatic rice varieties specifically tailored to SSA's agroecosystems.
Crossbreeding aromatic rice varieties with elite lines to maintain high yields and other beneficial agronomic traits.
Utilization of genetic mapping and molecular tools to expedite selection and breeding processes.
Dissemination of ORYLUX variety seeds in local markets to increase availability for farmers.
Establishment of connections between farmers, food processors, and consumers through virtual market applications to fully capitalize on the added value of aromatic rice.

Key points to design your project

ORYLUX technology is a solution with positive impacts on gender equality, climate change, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It empowers women economically by boosting household income and access to resources, enhances their roles in agriculture, and contributes to climate resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it supports the achievement of SDGs related to poverty, food security, gender equality, and climate action, promoting a sustainable and equitable agricultural future.

To integrate this technology into your project, and create a list of project activities and prerequisites and plan these activities:

Breeders, farmers and food processors identify ORYLUX varieties that match agronomic conditions and consumer preferences in growing areas,
Awareness-raising with value chain actors about the additional incomes that can be generated by cultivating premium fragrant rice, and
Create equitable access to ORYLUX seed material and financial support for local suppliers and smallholder farmers that enable investments.

Considering the technology cost of USD 1.3 per kilogram and a requirement of 10 - 12 kg rice seed per hectare, estimate the quantity of seeds needed for your project.

As the technology is available in Nigeria and Senegal, include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.)

For better optimization of the improved maize variety, it is recommended to associate this technology with Deep urea placement (nitrogen management), Engineered irrigation surface (water lifting), Foliar nutrient addition, Motorized weeders

To implement the technology in your country, you could collaborate with agricultural development institutes and seed multiplication companies.

Consider the specicifity of each ORYLUX varieites:

Varieties	Agro-ecology	Stade of maturity	Yield kgha-1	Nutritious traits
ORYLUX 1	Lowland - Irrigated	120	8000	Non-sticky, Aromatic
ORYLUX 2	Lowland - Irrigated	123	6000	Non-sticky, Aromatic
ORYLUX 3	Lowland - Irrigated	120	6300	Non-sticky, Aromatic
ORYLUX 4	Lowland - Irrigated	120	6400	Non-sticky, Aromatic
ORYLUX 5	Lowland - Irrigated	110	9000	Non-sticky, Aromatic
ORYLUX 6	Lowland - Irrigated	100	6500	Non-sticky, Aromatic

Cost: $$$ 1,3 USD

A Seed cost per kg

10—12 Kg per Ha

Planting densities

51 USD per Ha

Labour costs for planting

105 USD per Ha

Fertilizer inputs

200 USD per Ha

Harvesting and winnowing of grain

IP

Unknown

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Senegal	–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.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
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.

Goal 2: zero hunger

By increasing rice yields and quality, ensuring that more communities have access to nutritious food.

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

By increasing farmers' incomes through higher yields and access to premium markets, ORYLUX contributes to economic growth and job creation within local agricultural sectors.

Goal 13: climate action

By supporting adaptation to climate change, enabling farmers to continue producing food under changing environmental conditions

ORYLUX varieties are cultivated in the same way as any type of rice.

Manually or mechanically planted by sowing seed at the planting densities of 10 - 12 kg rice seed per ha under the System for Rice Intensification or 50 kg/ha under non-SRI conditions.
Mineral fertilizer and animal manure applied at recommended dosage.
Soil water contents are managed through construction of low embankments around divides paddy fields, and weed control is through manual removal, mulching and chemical agents.

Last updated on 11 December 2024