Feature Stories
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From dust bowl to rice bowl
Conservation agriculture has a vital role to play in sub-Saharan Africa’s food security for a population projected to rise to 2 billion by 2050.
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The hybrid alternative for Africa
Developing the hybrid rice technology capacity of national partners, farmers, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector is a major component of the AfricaRice strategy.
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Africa's rice farmers lose millions of dollars to parasitic weeds
Until now, there has been little information on the regional spread and economic importance of parasitic weeds in rice in Africa.
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Senegal’s quiet rice revolution
Seed growers turn Anambé into a valley of prosperity
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“Dam” good heroes
A small dam in M’bé near Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire represents the inspiring story of unsung heroes who helped more than 300 farming households survive...
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A SMART choice for Africa’s inland-valley rice farmers
“The potential is there, but you can’t eat potential.” This is one of the most memorable statements of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug. His remark would perfectly fit the case of the inland-valley lowlands in Africa, which are known to have high agricultural production potential, but have...
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Hats off to a master juggler
A dynamic research leader, a well-respected rice agronomist, a mentor to young scientists, a widely published author, and a loving family man, Marco Wopereis wears many hats and juggles them all with equal efficiency.
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A “GEM” for women rice processors in Benin
A rice parboiling system improves the livelihood of hundreds of women in Benin. ...
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Côte d’Ivoire: An emerging rice powerhouse in West Africa
Once a rice exporter, Côte d’Ivoire has spent in recent years nearly USD 500 million annually on rice imports. Now, the country has set its sights on...
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Two new cold-tolerant rice varieties expand options for Madagascar farmers
Two new cold-tolerant varieties, FOFIFA 183 and FOFIFA 184, were released for the high-altitude rainfed lowland rice ecosystem through activities of the...
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Averting hunger in Ebola-hit countries
The Ebola epidemic had caused a significant shock to the food and agricultural sectors in the affected countries
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Adding value to Africa’s rice
Africa researchers are looking at every step rice goes through to lessen wastage and improve its value to help raise income, improve rice quality, and expand the market for locally produced rice products.
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A game changer in Africa’s rice agronomy
From the football field to rice fields, Kazuki Saito is proving to be one of Africa’s most valuable players
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Climate-smart rice for Africa
Africa faces the reality of climate change with new rice varieties adapted to environmental stresses expected to become more frequent and intense
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An interview with Peinda Cissé, Senegal’s mother of modern rice farming
Peinda Cissé proves that rice farming is not just a man’s world anymore
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Banking on Africa’s rice potential
The 3rd Africa Rice Congress issued a clarion call to increase investments in Africa’s rice sector so that the continent can realize its rice promise
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Papa Abdoulaye Seck: an advocate of research for Africa
His vision and commitment to the goals of AfricaRice have taken it to new heights of excellence and impact
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Cameroon: Central Africa’s potential rice granary
Cameroon may soon gain fame as a rising star in rice production.
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Decoding patterns of climate change and rice diseases
A study in East Africa seeks to quantify yield losses that are caused by rice diseases under various climate conditions.
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Uganda: blazing a trail to rice success
Uganda’s rice imports decreased and its food security improved because of its growing rice production.
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Giving an edge to young African researchers
Training Africa’s national partners in rice biotechnology.
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Trouble from the sky
Best agricultural practices may be the best scarecrows for Africa’s nemesis in rice fields.
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The little machine that could
Africa shifts from backbreaking operations to almost labor-free threshing
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Rice: Ethiopia's millennium crop
Rice is now a major livelihood option for farmers in Ethiopia and an important crop for the country's food security
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Feeding the world in 2050
To feed the world in 2050, an intelligent combination of four factors is essential: appropriate technologies, good infrastructure, favorable economic and institutional environment, and the preservation of natural resources.
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Unleashing the force
“Africa needs trained rice breeders—most African countries have none,” said Kofi Annan.
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Beware of bronzing
Rice faces its own kryptonite—iron toxicity—and AfricaRice is finding a way to help rice survive
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The pillars of Africa's agriculture
In Africa, women play a central role in rice farming, and targeting women in technology dissemination can have a greater impact on poverty than targeting men.
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Quality matters
Africa shifts its focus to producing quality rice
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Rice for peace
War-torn African nations turn back to rice to rebuild lives and regain peace
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Africa seeks "Marshall Plan" for capacity building
African states work together to unlock the region's potential to increase rice production
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Pockets of gold
Scientists find a treasure trove of information in Africa's indigenous rice
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Adapting to change
Africa develops climate change-resilient rice technologies
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Weathering the cold
Africa develops rice that can thrive in the region’s cooler zones
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Never an empty bowl
African countries come together to work toward self-sufficiency
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Uganda's rice revolution
Sub-Saharan Africa’s “new kid on the block” positions itself as the rice granary of the region by adopting the right policies and appropriate technologies, strengthening capacity building, and engaging both the public and private sector
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Drought-proof rice for African farmers
Can farmers continue to grow rice if the water supply becomes increasingly scarce?
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Making science work
A communication campaign designed to link rice production with relevant science promises to help African farmers and processors boost their productivity
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Moving up in Ethiopia
If successful, initiatives to boost rice production in Ethiopia can help the country achieve food security
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Opportunity from crisis
From the chaos of the recent rice crisis comes opportunity for African countries intent on boosting production of the continent’s fastest growing staple.
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The rice AIDS of Africa
Poor farmers in Africa call it the “rice AIDS” because of its potential for devastation. But a strategy blending cutting-edge biotechnology with regional knowledge may yet stifle the impact of rice yellow mottle virus.
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African rice research expands
Four new countries have become members of the Africa Rice Center, signaling increased investment in rice research and the growing importance of rice in Africa.
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Three heads are better than one
In the face of steeply rising rice prices, three of the world’s leading international agricultural research institutes plan to combine their activities in Africa and so create a powerful new force focused on boosting African rice production.
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Forging a rice partnership for Africa
When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion!”—so goes a well-known Ethiopian saying. This could be an apt description for the new partnership being forged among international research centers to address sub-Saharan Africa’s enormous rice challenge.
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The rice man of Africa
Growing up in Sierra Leone, rice researcher Monty Jones was encouraged to become a priest. It’s lucky for Africa he didn’t.
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In search of new seeds
The improved New Rice for Africa varieties are helping not only African grain farmers but seed producers as well.
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Putting rice on the African agenda
The recent Africa Rice Congress in Tanzania helped chart the course for the future of the rice industry in sub-Saharan Africa