The main theme of the Africa Rice Congress 2010 is: ‘Innovation and
partnerships to realize Africa’s rice potential’.
The following sub-themes will be discussed:
- Breeding and seed system innovations raising yield and yield potential
in farmers’ fields
- IPM, ecological intensification and diversification of rice-based
systems
- Crop and natural resources management innovations achieving lasting
gains in rice productivity
- Adapting African rice farming to climate change
- Developing competitive rice value chains
- New alliances and tools for rural learning and innovation
- Policy instruments and investments for pro-poor and competitive rice
sector development
Keynote papers will be presented for each of the sub-themes on the first
day. This will be followed by a farmer/private sector forum on the second
day, with displays of equipment, technologies, etc. and will include a round
table discussion on the challenges of investment in African agriculture
(family - commercial farms). The third and part of the fourth day will be
devoted to scientific presentations in parallel sessions and poster displays
during coffee breaks. In the afternoon of the fourth day, there will be
round-table discussions on the Center's new strategic plan and the Africa
Rice Research Network followed by general discussion and closure. A field
trip to the ‘Office du Niger’ rice irrigation scheme, in Mali, will be
organized during the last day of the Congress.
