STORY: With just one yearly harvest, Ivorian rice farmer Francois Kasse Yao struggled to make ends meet.

His fortunes changed when he planted a new weather-resistant rice variety, capable of producing larger yields.

SOT: “I can truly say that rice nourishes us today.”

In the village of Subiakro, just over 8 miles from the Ivorian capital Yamoussoukro, rice farmers previously struggled to produce about one metric ton of rice per hectare (one US ton per 2.4 acres).

But now things have changed.

The new grain lets them harvest rice twice a year, with a yield of up to five metric tons per hectare (5.5 US tons per 2.24 acres).

“Since we started with the new variety, we’re doing just fine.”

Introduced through a program designed to boost local rice production and reduce reliance on imports, the new variety has become a local favorite.

Its scent and flavour as well as its capacity to withstand frequent water shortages have made it a highly prized commodity on the local rice market.

“When you plant it, whatever the weather, it adapts; it’s good. It adapts to all climates.”

The new grain offers a promising boost for local farmers and could significantly reduce the reliance on foreign rice imports.

Ivorian production of local white rice currently stands at 1.4 million metric tons (1.5 million US tons) far below the national consumption of 2.1 million (2.3 million US tons) according to Yacouba Dembele, managing director at the Agency for the development of the rice sector (Aderiz).

To fully cover domestic demand, Ivory Coast imports rice mainly from countries such as India, Thailand and Pakistan.

However, a decision by India to curb its exports last year has raised shortage concerns in several African countries.

Aderiz says the latest investment made by the state, its partners and the private sector, will enable the country to be self-sufficient in three years.

Published Date: August 2, 2024