Rice Farming in West Africa: AfricaRice Launches a Regional Initiative to Ensure Access to Climate-Resilient Rice Seeds with High Market Value

A view of the discussions among participants during the workshop held on April 9 and 10, 2026, in Saint Louis, Senegal @ Photo credit: Malick N’DIAYE

Bridging the Gap Between Research and the Field

While rice is a strategic crop central to food security and the livelihoods of millions of households, its production still struggles to meet the ever-growing demand in most countries of the West African subregion. One of the major obstacles remains the limited access to improved seeds, due not only to the lack of functional seed production systems at several national research institutes but also to shortcomings in the functioning of the value chain in most countries.

In Saint-Louis, AfricaRice is taking action

Through this workshop, AfricaRice is establishing itself as the driving force behind an unprecedented regional initiative. The Center brings together the strengths of each member country of the REWARD-AfricaRice project and aligns the priorities of the seed sector so that all parties move in the same direction. More than just providing support, AfricaRice works with each country to establish robust and coordinated seed systems, thereby ensuring a steady supply of high-quality seeds to sustainably feed the people of West Africa.

The Data Revolution: Toward a Regional Database

The key innovation of this meeting is the creation of a centralized, digitized seed tracking system. Currently, the lack of reliable data hinders effective planning. By digitizing the collection and management of seed stocks, AfricaRice and its partners aim to ensure clear visibility into available quantities and regional needs.

In opening the proceedings, Dr. Saidu BAH, coordinator of the seed unit at the AfricaRice research center, stated:

Rice is a strategic commodity for food security in West Africa. However, regional production is struggling to keep pace with growing demand, forcing countries to rely on costly imports. To reverse this trend, access to high-quality seeds of improved, climate-smart varieties and the availability of data remain essential levers.

It is in this context that AfricaRice, as part of the REWARD program, brought together its partners—representatives from national agricultural research institutes, national seed certification agencies, and the private sector—for a regional workshop to identify seed requirements and varieties by country. The objectives were :

• identify priority varieties by country and estimate seed requirements,

• define strategic priorities and actions for the development of a national seed roadmap.

• develop a variety promotion plan that includes communication strategies and the roles of stakeholders.

At the conclusion of the two-day meeting, participants developed draft seed roadmaps, explored the eProd digital platform for tracking seed data, and outlined a regional plan for variety promotion. Concrete recommendations were made for the next steps, including the national validation of these roadmaps and their integration into national seed policies. »

The REWARD – AfricaRice project coordinator, Dr. Edgar Stanislas Valentin TRAORE, emphasized the urgency of the situation:

« Rice is a strategic crop in West Africa, but production remains insufficient. Strengthening seed systems is essential to increasing productivity and ensuring our food security. This workshop is a major step toward building effective national seed systems for sustainable rice production. »

Group photo of the participants in the workshop held on April 9 and 10, 2026, in Saint Louis, Senegal @ Photo credit: Malick N’DIAYE

Tangible results for a long-term impact

Beyond the technical aspects, this workshop aims to achieve two key outcomes:

1.    The validation of at least three (3) climate-resilient rice varieties per country, identified for their high yield potential and their alignment with market expectations

2.    Strengthening the capacity of national stakeholders to use digital monitoring tools, thereby improving the flow of information to donors and enhancing responsiveness to seed crises

About the REWARD Program :

The Rice Efficient West Africa Regional Development (REWARD) program, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to transform rice value chains in 14 countries to increase productivity and climate resilience.

About the Rice Center for Africa (AfricaRice)

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is a pan-African center of excellence for research, development, and capacity building in the rice sector. It helps reduce poverty, ensure food and nutritional security, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and other stakeholders in Africa’s rice value chain by increasing the productivity and profitability of rice-based agri-food systems, while ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research centers of the CGIAR, a global research partnership for a sustainable future. It is also an intergovernmental association of African member states.

About the African Development Bank (AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is a leading multilateral financial institution established in 1964 to support economic growth and social progress in Africa. It comprises three entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Trust Fund, which together provide financing, technical assistance, and policy advice to African countries. The Bank’s primary mission is to reduce poverty, improve living conditions, and mobilize resources for sustainable development across the continent.

For media inquiries:

AfricaRice Communications Unit

Email: F.Famey@cgiar.org

Website : https://www.africarice-fr.org/