A
project to help African rice farmers maximize the vast potential of inland
valleys through ecological management was launched in Cotonou, Benin, 16-17 Aug
2010, by the Benin-based Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) with technical and
financial support from Japan.
The
new project will focus on the testing and adaptation of a proven rice
production technology used in Asia – known as Sawah – which helps to boost rice
production through improved water and soil management. The Sawah system
includes the use of small machinery for land preparation and good crop
management practices.
“With
increased risk of droughts in large parts of Africa because of climate change,
well-managed inland valleys can contribute to food security through enhanced
productivity of rice-based systems,” explained Dr Paul Kiepe, speaking on
behalf of the AfricaRice Director General at the project launching meeting. Dr
Kiepe is heading the Center’s Sustainable Productivity Enhancement Program.
It
is estimated that the annual potential production of 20 million hectares of
Sawah systems in sub-Saharan Africa would be at least 30 to 40 million tons of
milled rice. The increased production would help African countries to sharply
curtail their risky over-dependence on rice imports and stave off future food
crises.
The
new project will initially cover Benin and Togo and is expected to expand to
other countries that are members of the Inland Valley Consortium (IVC). The
Consortium is convened by AfricaRice.
The
project partners include the International Water Management Institute (IWMI),
the national programs of the IVC member countries, Hitotsubashi, Tsukuba and
Kinki Universities in Japan and the Universities of Hohenheim and Munich in
Germany.
In
addition to the representatives of all project partners and other organizations
with related expertise, the meeting brought together high-level dignitaries of
the Government of Japan, notably the Ambassador of Japan in Benin and
representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Japan
has prioritized agriculture in its support to African development at the Tokyo
International Conference on African Development-IV in 2008. As Japan has a long
tradition and expertise in rice production, it has forged strong collaboration
with AfricaRice since more than three decades. Currently seven Japanese
scientists are working in several joint projects at AfricaRice.
