On the occasion of the Ethiopian Millennium and
the 40th Anniversary of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural
Research (EIAR), Africa Rice Center was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation
for its “invaluable cooperation and support” to the country’s rice research and
development activities.
Ethiopia is emerging as an important rice
growing country in Eastern Africa. The area under rice production in Ethiopia
is estimated to have increased from 49,000 ha in 2007 to about 90,000 ha in
2008. It is projected to reach 400,000 ha by 2010.
Key to this success has been the immense effort
made by Dr Tareke Berhe, Director of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA)’s
regional rice program and his colleagues. Dr Berhe was instrumental in
introducing improved rice varieties in the country, especially the upland NERICA varieties developed by Africa Rice
Center.
Between 2005 and 2007, four upland NERICA varieties from Africa Rice Center
were released to Ethiopian farmers. According to Dr Berhe, the NERICA varieties
produce yields of 3–6 t per hectare in farmers’ fields.
Ethiopia is part of the new initiative on
stress-tolerant rice varieties led by IRRI and Africa Rice Center with
financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“ Africa Rice Center is deeply honored to
receive this recognition from Ethiopia for the strong partnership that has been
forged between us,” stated Director General Dr Papa Seck.
This partnership ranges from governance to
research. The current Board Chair of Africa Rice Center is Mr Getachew Engida from
UK/Ethiopia. Dr Tsekede Abate, former Director General of the Ethiopian
Institute of Agricultural Research Organization has served as a Africa Rice
Center Board member.
Senior Ethiopian scientists have also been
working with Africa Rice Center, including Dr Kassa Semagn, former
Post-doctoral Fellow (PDF) and Dr Negussie Shoatatek Zenna, current PDF.
