Kenyan Ambassador Visits AfricaRice: Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

On Friday, February 7, 2025, AfricaRice had the honor of hosting the Kenyan Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire at its research station in M’Bé. This visit marked a significant step in strengthening collaboration between Kenya and AfricaRice in the field of agricultural research and innovation. It highlighted AfricaRice’s efforts to transform African agriculture while emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in addressing food security challenges.

A Symbolic Visit for Enhanced Collaboration

The visit began with an opening speech by the Director General of AfricaRice, Dr Baboucarr Manneh who expressed gratitude for the Ambassador’s interest in the work being carried out at M’Bé. He underscored Kenya’s key role in Africa’s agricultural landscape and the importance of fostering partnerships to advance rice research and production across the continent. The Ambassador’s decision to visit the research facilities rather than hold discussions in Abidjan, the economic capital city, demonstrated a hands-on approach, reflecting a genuine commitment to understanding the tangible impact of AfricaRice’s initiatives.

Dr. Aliou Diagne, during his presentation, highlighted the efforts of the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) to promote sustainable and innovative agriculture in Africa. Through international collaborations and targeted research programs, AfricaRice plays a central role in developing the rice sector across the continent. The organization focuses on improving productivity while addressing the needs of farmers and rural communities.

Kenya’s Commitment to Rice Self-Sufficiency

In his remarks, the Kenyan Ambassador, H.E. Prof. Hon Christopher Andrew Lang’at, expressed admiration for the work being conducted by AfricaRice. He emphasized the critical role of research in addressing food security challenges and stressed the need to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and its practical application. “Africa is one of the leading continents in research, but our greatest challenge remains the disparity between research output and its effective utilization,” he stated. Before becoming an ambassador, he was a professor at the University of Nairobi and the University of Israel, which allowed him to observe the differences in how research is applied across regions.

The Ambassador also highlighted the necessity of regional collaboration to increase rice production and reduce dependency on imports. “Rice production in Kenya is currently estimated at between 45,000 and 80,000 tons per year, which accounts for only 16% of our national consumption. It is essential for us to work with institutions like AfricaRice to enhance our self-sufficiency and support our farmers,” he added. He concluded by reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to strengthening ties with AfricaRice and other African institutions to support agricultural development.

Innovative Solutions for the Rice Sector

The visit also provided an opportunity to introduce Kenyan colleagues working at AfricaRice, including Esther Mokeira, Head of Accounting, Gatoru Ernest, Finance Expert, and Ndung’u Maina Joseph, Technology Transfer Officer.

The latter delivered a detailed presentation on the rice sector in Kenya and AfricaRice’s impact, outlining the challenges faced by the country and the technological solutions offered by the institution.

Among these solutions are climate-resilient rice varieties, such as drought-tolerant, cold-tolerant, salinity-tolerant, and submergence-tolerant varieties. These varieties enable increased yields under challenging conditions. AfricaRice also promotes climate-smart agronomic practices, including no-till farming, mulching, and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), as well as innovative post-harvest practices, such as hermetic storage and the valorization of rice by-products.

Two ongoing projects in Kenya were also highlighted: EARiSS (Strengthening the Rice Sector in East Africa) and MHRA (Multiple Harvest Rice for Africa). These projects aim to improve productivity and farmers’ incomes through training, seed production, and the promotion of the best agricultural practices.

Promising Discussions and a Symbolic Ceremony

The visit continued with a series of presentations on AfricaRice’s research programs, particularly in rice breeding and sustainable farming practices. The Ambassador was then given a guided tour of the research facilities, where he observed the advanced methodologies and technologies being used to enhance rice production across Africa.

visit concluded with a tree-planting ceremony, symbolizing the shared commitment to sustainable and resilient agriculture.

Towards a Collaborative Future

This visit strengthened the ties between Kenya and AfricaRice, paving the way for future joint initiatives to improve rice productivity and food security in Africa. AfricaRice expressed its gratitude to the Ambassador for his visit and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting agricultural development through international collaborations.

In conclusion, this visit underscores the importance of regional cooperation and innovation in transforming African agriculture. Through strong partnerships and tailored solutions, AfricaRice and Kenya are working together to build a more sustainable and prosperous future for farmers and rural communities across the continent.