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INGER-Africa: revolutionizing the rice map in Africa
 An impact study conducted by Timothy J. Dalton and Robert G. Guei in the seven major rice-producing countries of West Africa has revealed that despite limited investment in rice research, about 200 improved rice varieties have been released over the past 25 years.
Improved rice varieties generated a producer surplus gain of about US$360 million in 1998 in these countries. By contrast, only about US$5.5 million is invested annually in regional rice improvement research.
The study also projected that more than 100 improved rice varieties—products of rice R&D conducted in the 1990s and regional germplasm exchange mechanisms—would be released during 2000-2004. The average number of variety releases is expected to rise from 7 varieties per annum to 30 varieties!
It concluded that without regional efforts in rice improvement, the regional balance of payment deficit for rice imports in 1998 would have been 40% higher and an additional 650,000 hectares of farmland would have to be under rice cultivation to maintain consumption levels at their current standard.
“This impressive testimony to productive public-sector rice research which provided a steady stream of improved rice varieties in the region is largely thanks to the catalytic effect of the International Network for the Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER)-Africa,” stated Dr Guei, Head of the Africa Rice Center’s Genetic Resources Unit (GRU) and Coordinator of INGER-Africa. “It demonstrates the efficiency of our new approach to germplasm exchange and information.”
The overall objective of INGER-Africa is to link national rice improvement programs in Africa and international centers, and to promote genetic diversity for different ecosystems through exchange, evaluation and utilization of improved breeding materials originating from worldwide sources.
For instance, the sources or origins of parents of rice germplasm distributed by INGER-Africa have been Asian, Latin American and African countries as well as international research Centers. This helps to broaden the genetic base of the breeding material provided to the national agricultural research systems (NARS).
“INGER-Africa serves as a two-way conduit for the exchange of rice breeding material between the international agricultural research Centers and NARS. The NARS scientists are provided with the means to test the stability and adaptability of their elite varieties in multi-locational trials,” Dr Guei explained.
INGER-Africa’s activities cross all political boundaries. It facilitates the distribution of seeds to cooperating countries, following guidelines of safety, quarantine, and FAO’s Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) for exchanges of germplasm that has been designated to FAO. The partners share their most promising rice varieties, which are evaluated through the network for yield performance and resistance to diseases, pests and environmental stresses.
The highly successful INGER concept was launched 30 years ago by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) as a program for the global collection, distribution and testing of rice genetic materials.
The African wing of INGER was created in 1985 and was initially housed at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. Between 1994 and 1996, with support from the UK Overseas Development Administration, INGER-Africa activities were transferred to WARDA, and a new germplasm exchange mechanism was established using WARDA’s successful Task Force approach.
Over the years, INGER-Africa has been fine-tuned to adapt to African conditions and to better address the needs of NARS. In contrast to the previous INGER-Africa, where the same nurseries were sent to all participants, nurseries are now tailored to meet the specific needs of each national program.
Through the activities of INGER-Africa, NERICA breeding lines are being used and tested in rice improvement programs throughout Africa. In addition to formally released varieties, many farmers have the opportunity to evaluate new NERICA material for themselves through the Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) method.
 With the arrival of INGER-Africa, WARDA’s products and services could spread across the continent, beyond the Association’s traditional mandate region of West and Central Africa. INGER has thus led the way in advancing WARDA’s geographical borders and making it truly eligible to become the Africa Rice Center.
INGER-Africa, covering 35 countries in SSA has a much greater reach and relevance than ever before. In addition to the West African countries, it facilitates the exchange of germplasm and related information with several Central, Eastern and Southern African countries, such as Burundi, Congo Brazaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Emphasizing the incredible increase in the number of participating countries, Dr Guei wondered aloud, “Who would ever think that Namibia grows rice?” Indeed, INGER-Africa is quietly revolutionizing the rice map in Africa.
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