NERICA: High yield rice varieties for Africa

NERICA: Higher Yields, Resilience, and Profitability for African Farmers.

NERICA varieties exhibit exceptional agronomic traits tailored to African growing conditions. With potential yields ranging from 2 to 6 tons per hectare, they offer a significant boost in productivity. These varieties demonstrate low susceptibility to weed infestations and display resilience to short-term drought, making them well-suited for regions with unpredictable rainfall patterns. Furthermore, their adaptability to poor soils underscores their suitability for diverse agricultural landscapes. NERICA's moderate resistance to major diseases like rust and leaf blight, along with its tolerance to pests such as nematodes and leafminers, minimizes the need for chemical interventions. This robust combination of traits positions NERICA as a vital asset for sustainable and resilient agriculture in Africa.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Its enhances food stability and economic security for adult farmers.

The poor: Positive medium

Its strengthens local food availability, reducing the need to purchase imported rice.

Under 18: Positive medium

Its improves food security, helping to prevent childhood malnutrition.

Women: Positive high

Its empowers women farmers, who often manage rice production, by offering a resilient and profitable crop

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Designed to thrive in drought-prone and upland areas, making it suitable for regions affected by climate change.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Its requires fewer inputs, which eases resource demands on farmers, allowing them to manage climate challenges more effectively.

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Less reliance on chemical fertilizers contributes to a lower carbon footprint in farming practices.

Problem

Low Yields: Traditional rice varieties often yield less, impacting food security and farmers' income.
Pest and Disease Vulnerability: Conventional varieties are more susceptible to pests and diseases, leading to yield losses.
Limited Resilience to Harsh Conditions: Many varieties struggle in nutrient-poor soils and under erratic rainfall.
Reliance on Imports: Insufficient local production leads to heavy reliance on imported rice, affecting economic stability.

Solution

Increased Yields: NERICA varieties yield more, ensuring food security and higher income.
Pest and Disease Resistance: They resist pests and diseases, reducing chemical use.
Adaptability: Thrives in poor soils and limited water, suitable for diverse environments.
Reduced Imports Dependency: Boosts local production, enhancing economic stability.
Empowering Farmers: Accessible to small-scale growers, improving practices and income.
Nutritional Value: Higher protein content for a healthier staple.

Key points to design your program

A Solution for Rice Farming in Africa

The NERICA improved rice varieties address key challenges in rice farming, particularly low yields, drought resistance, and adaptability to upland environments. The varieties have a yield of six to seven tonnes per hectare and a good resistance to major lowland stresses such as iron toxicity and weed infestation or highly destructive diseases.

This technology supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 by boosting rice yields and promoting food security, SDG 5 by empowering women farmers who are often key rice producers, and SDG 13 by enhancing climate resilience and reducing the need for intensive irrigation.

NERICA varieties contributes to economic resilience by providing farmers with a high-yield crop that requires fewer inputs and is adaptable to various agro-ecological zones. It also helps open up market opportunities, promoting local economies and food stability.

As part of a Rice technologies toolkit, NERICA varieties works in synergy with other innovations like Precision Rice Irrigation and Surface Leveling technology, enhancing productivity and resilience in rice farming.

NERICA varieties have been introduced in Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda through the Enabling Sustainable Regional Agricultural Extension (ENSURE) project, funded by the African Development Bank.

It is an ideal choice for development programs focused on enhancing food security, improving farmer incomes, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Partnerships with AfricaRice institution provide essential technical support and monitoring to ensure successful adoption and long-term impact.

Cost: $$$ 0.8—1.2 USD

Per kg of seeds

ROI: $$$ 25—39 %

1.7—0.7 ton per ha

with and without fertilizer

IP

Open source / open access

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
Benin	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Burundi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Gambia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Guinea	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Mozambique	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Sierra Leone	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Uganda	–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, supporting food security and nutrition in regions where rice is a staple.

Goal 13: climate action

By promoting sustainable farming practices that reduce reliance on intensive irrigation, lowering environmental impact.

Goal 5: gender equality

By empowering women farmers, who are often key players in rice cultivation, by providing a crop that is both high-yielding and resource-efficient.

Select the Appropriate Variety: Choose based on your specific growing conditions (lowland or upland) and field characteristics.
Prepare the Field: Ensure thorough ploughing, and levelling, and create bunds if needed for water management.
Planting Options: Direct seeding by broadcasting, drilling, dibbling, or transplanting seedlings from a well-maintained seedbed.
Maintain Proper Spacing: Allow for optimal plant growth and development.
Monitor and Manage Water: Ensure consistent moisture levels, especially during critical growth stages.
Weed Control: Regularly remove weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and space.
Fertilize Appropriately: Apply recommended fertilizers based on soil nutrient levels and variety requirements.
Manage Pests and Diseases: Monitor and take necessary measures for control.
Harvest at Maturity: Harvest when grains are mature and moisture content is 18-22%, using sickles or mechanical harvesters.
Dry and Thresh: Reduce moisture content through drying, then separate grains from stalks through threshing.
Store Properly: Keep harvested rice in well-sealed containers in a cool, dry place to prevent damage from moisture and pests.