Varietal Improvement

Three improved varieties released in the Sahel in 1994 have shown a 10% yield advantage over popularly grown varieties. One of them, Sahel 108, also has a short life-cycle, enabling double-cropping (two crops per year, instead of one) and effective doubling of annual production.

A series of lowland varieties, originally developed at WARDA's Nigeria Station, are being released in various countries of the subregion, mainly for their improved grain yield, resistance to diseases (blast and rice yellow motle virus), and tolerance to drought and iron toxicity.

The 'New Rice for Africa' (NERICA) was WARDA's major breakthrough in the early 1990s, and opened up a new era of varietal improvement for West and Central African rice. NERICA was the result of successful crossing of indigenous African rice with exotic Asian rice. From its African parent, the new rice derived profuse early growth (which means fewer weeds, and reduced labor input from women), and resistance/tolerance to local stresses. From its Asian parent, it inherited greater grain production and retention on the plant. NERICA is proving popular with farmers, not only because of its growth characteristics, but also for its grain quality (it is good to eat!). It has proved to be particularly well suited to low-input conditions, where farmers lack the means to apply chemical fertilizer or pesticides.