The Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD) and its development partner, AfricaRice, have identified three rice production zones in Cameroon with specific species which could be publicized to step up quality and quantity production in the country.

Which are the Hubs? Researchers say the country has three strategic regions for rice development where rice research products and innovations are integrated across the rice value chain to create outcomes and impact. These include Ndop notably with the Upper Nun Valley Development Authority (UNVDA) and the North with Lagdo Rice Development Corporation (SEMRY) and the emerging Mbam hub in the Centre Region.

Which Specie For What Zone? According to Dorothy Malaa, Coordinator of Rice Project at IRAD, before the 70s, there were some rice species like upland rice (today Madame Blanche) and when UNVDA and SEMRY came in they brought in new varieties like Irri 46 in SEMRY, Tox 34, 35 in Ndop, Ita 222, Sica 8 and 4, IRAD 112 and many other species. All these have yields of one metric ton per hectare.

She said the birth of New Rice for Africa (Nerica) was to solve the problem that the other species had as they were imported and not well adapted to the African conditions. Nerica is high yielding, disease and drought resistant.

“The farmer did varietal selection and coincidentally, they came up with some common species where in the Western highland (Ndop plain) they selected Nerica L 42 and 56 for lowland that yield above six metric tons per hectare, in the northern part of the country, they selected Nerica L 36 and 60 that as well yield above six metric tons per hectares.

The latest technology that research introduced in 2008 was the upland rice which could be grown anywhere. Here, they selected Nerica 3, 8, 9 and 13 and that is what is currently being promoted across the country.

The peculiarity of Nerica, researchers noted, is that it takes only three months from when it is planted to when it is harvested given that its roots do not sink deep and can be grown on dry ground. It does not necessarily need irrigation given the country’s abundant rainfall.

What Publicity Strategy? Actors have come up with “Cameroon Rice Hubs Partners Programme” which targets a widespread propagation of research products.

Speaking during their meeting in Yaounde on Wednesday August 27, the Programme’s National Coordinator, Dr Francis Ngome Ajebesone, said the programme “intends to train farmers on good rice production and processing practices (how to prepare their land, plant and when to harvest.”