Training young rice researchers and extensionists from Africa in IRM

 A training course on Integrated Rice Management (IRM) was conducted at the AfricaRice Regional Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 15 September to 3 October 2014. The objective of this training was to train young rice researchers and extension specialist from Africa for their comprehensive understanding of rice science and cultivation technologies. 

A total of 25 (16 male and 9 female) participants from seven English-speaking African countries: Ghana, The Gambia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania took part in this training.

The training sessions covered the history of rice cultivation, breeding methods, rice phenology, systems of rice culture, land preparation methods, crop establishment, nutrient-water-weed management, nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, pest and disease management and rice post-harvest technologies. A two-day field trip was conducted to two rice-growing areas of Tanzania for practical training. 

AfricaRice subject-matter specialists from Tanzania, Benin and Nigeria handled the training session and trained the participants. 

“The participant’s feedback at the end of the training was very positive and encouraging.  The trained participants are expected to train other rice researchers and extension specialists in their respective countries,” said the coordinator of this training session Dr Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, Agronomist, AfricaRice, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This three-week training course was sponsored by the Japan Rice Emergency Initiative project of AfricaRice.