After the introduction of the Nerica rice variety in western Kenya five years ago, farmers who embraced the species are now reaping the benefits.
The variety, which received the backing of the Lake Victoria Basin Development Authority and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, has outdone local species that have dominated the region for the last 45 years.
Cosmas Agumba Ouna, the chairman of Miguye Rice Irrigation Scheme in Nyando District, says, "The IR varieties take over 120 days to mature, but the Nerica and Basmati species mature in 90 days," said Mr Ouna. Besides, he said, the varieties are resistant to weeds and pests and are blessed with a characteristic of forming ratoons - new shoots that sprout from the main plant. This leads to increased yields per hectare.
According to Evans Atera, a rice mill production officer at the Lake Basin Development Authority, the organisation has engaged in research in conjunction with Kari and Maseno University on the physiology of rice. He says in 2006, western Kenya produced 40,000 metric tonnes of rice, about half of the country's total output.This follows the partnership of various institutions among them the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (Jica), Kari, Maseno University and Sustainable Agriculture Centre for Research and Development (Sacred) Africa in doing research and offering extension services to the farmers.
The variety yields four to five metric tonnes per hectare compared to 1.5 to two tonnes produced by local varieties on the same size of plot. The annual consumption of rice in the country stands at 250,000 metric tonnes.
In 2006, 18 New Rice for Africa (Nerica) varieties were introduced as species that could increase rice production in the country. The project evaluated the adaptability of the Nerica rice varieties in different settings in western Kenya. Various research institutions provided scientific backup for the project.
Farmers' groups were trained to serve as focal points for training in Nerica production technologies, post-harvest handling, value adding, marketing, and good business practices.
allafrica.com