Cameroon improved rice varieties in specific zones

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."