Current Progress/Outcomes:
We have been working closely with the United Nations Environment Programme Africa Regional Office, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Uganda Agricultural Research Organization, Burkina Faso Ministry of Agriculture, and other institutes to jointly promote the breeding and cultivation demonstration of low-carbon emission, water-saving and drought resistant rice for Africa. At present, five of this kind of rice varieties have passed the new variety certification in Burundi, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Nigeria. Adaptive planting and demonstration culture, promotion of water-saving and drought resistant rice have been carried out in 11 countries in Africa. Only in Uganda, Malawi, Burundi of East Africa and Ghana, Burkina Faso of West Africa have demonstrated and promoted 8000ha, increasing grain yield by 30-50% compared with local varieties, bringing visible results and benefits to local people, and generating good social benefits. The innovative achievements in seed industry technology driven by the project provide replicable water-saving and drought resistant rice solutions for African countries to achieve food self-sufficiency as soon as possible. With the expanded application of water-saving and drought resistant new varieties, it is possible to help Africa achieve multiple goals of food security, biodiversity and nature conservation, as well as addressing climate change.
