1 Background. 2 Objectives

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1 Emergency Rice Initiative project second phase Technical Report May 2013 January 2014 February 2014 (This is a revised version of the technical report for May December 2013 submitted to the Government of Japan in December 2013) 1 Background Substantial progress has been made in terms of increasing rice production in sub Saharan Africa (SSA) since rice prices peaked in 2008, resulting in riots in major African capitals ( the rice crisis ). Rice production has increased by about 8.4% in the period (USDA data, accessed 7 February 2013), despite setbacks due to major droughts and floods in the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. Weather related drops in production were, for example, observed in 2012 in Madagascar, Nigeria and Tanzania (FAO Rice Market Monitor, January 2013, Volume XVI Issue No. 1). These calamities have caused enormous damage to crops and seed stocks, particularly in the Niger River basin irrigation schemes. This situation is exacerbated by the socio political and security situation in and around Mali. To ensure that rice production can continue its path of growth witnessed since the rice crisis in SSA, it is important to support poor rice farmers by providing access to essential inputs such as seed, mineral fertilizer, machinery, and knowledge with respect to improved agricultural practices. To allow continued and sustainable intensification of rice production in SSA, it is equally important to address the general lack of energy in the farming system. As a result of the food crisis in 2008, there was a need to quickly increase rice production in SSA countries. With support by the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Emergency Rice Initiative was established through which seed and small scale machinery were supplied to rice farmers in most SSA countries. This contributed to the increase in rice production quoted above. However, rice prices have remained high, although they are lower than the peak in 2008, due in part to the increasing demand for the commodity and the series of natural disasters that occurred in Consequently, the necessity arose for a second phase of the Emergency Rice Initiative ( ). The Government of Japan has provided the sum of USD9 million to support the production and distribution of good quality seed of popular improved, high yielding rice varieties as well as rice production and processing machinery to rice farmers in 27 SSA countries. 2 Objectives This project contributes to the Emergency Rice Initiative and aims to boost rice production in 2014 and beyond through improved farmer access to quality seeds and reduced postharvest losses in 27 SSA countries, thereby reducing rice imports and averting the need for costly food relief actions. The countries concerned are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, 1

2 Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. 3 Planned activities Identify best partners and procedures to produce quality seed to be used by farmers in 2014 Identify foundation seed needs per country as starting capital to the production of quality seed; if needed foundation seed will be produced by AfricaRice at its facility in M Bé, Côte d Ivoire Produce quality seed in two consecutive growing seasons to reach on average at least 15 ha per Rice Sector Development Hub (Hub) in the second season, aiming at an average yield of 4 t ha 1, and a total of 60 t per Hub. Dissemination of seed to farmers in need by collaborating partners, in particular farmer organizations, extension agencies and NGOs Train two extension staff in seed multiplication per country (participants will also profit from training in good agricultural practices before and after harvest Identify kits for each Hub and decide on equipment to buy and to fabricate local Purchase kits and ship to Hubs Provide backstopping where needed to ensure collective governance and maintenance of equipment by farming communities in the Hubs Train 2 extension staff in good agricultural practices before and after harvest (participants will also profit from training in seed production) Train agricultural machinery manufacturers in the development of small scale equipment such as rotary weeders (at least 2 manufacturers trained in an estimated 10 countries through in country training) 4 Expected outputs Partners and procedures to produce quality seed clarified in each of the Hubs, which will contribute to a sustainable and harmonized seed production and distribution system Needs for foundation seed quantified per country At least 60 t of quality registered and/or certified seed of improved varieties, including NERICA varieties, available for farmers in 2014 per Hub Quality seed (25 kg per farmer) distributed to farmers in need, with recommendations on good agricultural practices in each Hub (total of 2400 farmers reached per Hub) Trained extension staff in seed multiplication (total of 50 extension agents from national agencies or NGOs) Kits of agricultural machinery purchased and shipped to countries Management of agricultural machinery clarified in each Hub Agricultural machinery operational in each Hub Trained agricultural extension staff (total of 56 people) Trained agricultural manufacturers (total of at least 20 people) 2

3 5 Achievements The following achievements were recorded between May and December Project launching The project was launched in Cotonou on 18 April, 2013, with 22 countries and an international NGO (BRAC) in attendance. During the launching, project objectives, expected outputs and approaches were discussed and adopted by all participants. Each country elaborated a draft workplan which was later finalized back home. Activities under the Initiative commenced on 1 May, Work plans development Each country presented a finalized workplan and budget indicating the specific activities, varieties to be used, approaches to mobilizing seeds, and the type of equipment they need to purchase. Three approaches are being implemented for seed production: Breeder seed and foundation seed production by NARS Contract with seed companies to produce seed Negotiation with farmers or seed out growers Three to four varieties per country were to be produced in the wet season and under irrigation in the dry season. 5.3 Signing of implementation agreements In order to establish the interest and commitment of participating countries, an implementation agreement was signed by AfricaRice and the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of each country. The agreement stipulated the roles and responsibilities of the contracting parties, the activities to be carried out, the workplan, reporting requirements and budget. 5.4 Funds transfer Upon signing the agreement, each country received 50% of the agreed budget. After the submission of technical and financial reports, the balance of 50% of the budget was released to each country. The exception was South Sudan which received the first installment late and is yet to send any report. Consequently, the second installment has not been sent to South Sudan, in which there is an ongoing strife. Accountants from participating countries were trained at AfricaRice, Cotonou on financial management and reporting under the project. 5.5 Seed production and mobilization The first activity was the identification of seed production partners. This was done at a national meeting of actors in rice production value chain in each country. The meeting decided on the partners to be involved and the mechanisms of implementation. 3

4 In each country, the following types of seed are being produced: Breeder seed by NARS partners Foundation seed by NARS and some seed companies Certified seed by seed companies and seed producing farmer organizations. Based on monitoring tours by AfricaRice staff and reports submitted by national project coordinators, seed production has progressed very well in most countries (Table 1; Figures 1 7) and the expected production level will be achieved in these countries. Technical reports on seed production are still being awaited from 8 countries (Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gabon, Madagascar, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda). A deadline of 31 December 2013 was given to these 8 countries to submit technical reports. However, these countries have not yet submitted reports. AfricaRice continuously urges those countries to respect the agreed reporting schedule. AfricaRice staff will visit all countries for monitoring. Between May and December 2013, AfricaRice conducted monitoring visits to Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Visits will be made to Benin, Ghana and Togo in February 2014 and other countries later. In West and Central Africa, seed production will be completed in April Seed produced under the project was distributed to farmers in Niger in Seed will be distributed to farmers in the coastal countries in early April 2014 and the Sahelian countries in June In Eastern and Southern Africa completion of seed production will be by May Seed distribution in Eastern and Southern African countries will take place in September, 2014 the planting season starts in November. Figure 1: Land preparation for seed multiplication at Kpatawee, Liberia 4

5 Figure 2: A seed production plot at Tchitchao, Togo Figures 3 (left) and 4 (right): Mr Kaninet Traoré, a seed producing farmer (Figure 3), and his seed multiplication plot, variety Semaka, in Guinea, Conakry (Figure4) 5

6 Figure 5: Bags of rice seed produced in the Central African Republic in 2013 Figures 6 (left) and 7 (right): Seed in produced in Sierra Leone threshed (Figure 6) and stored without means of threshing (Figure 7) Table 1: Varieties multiplied in each country wet season 2013 S/No Country Area (ha) Varieties Benin 15 Burkina Faso 28.5 Cameroon 4 4 Central African Republic NERICA 1, NERICA 2, NERICA 4, BL 19, NERICA L 14, NERICA L 20 and IR 841 FKR 45N, FKR 62N and FRK 19 NERICA 8, TOX31 45, NERICA L 42 and NERICA L 56 NERICA 7, NERICA 13, IRAT 213 and Quantity of seed expected (Tonnes) Comments 63 Kou Valley and Cascade 16.5 Ndop and Lagdo PK 26, Sakai, Gbanaye, Akio, 6

7 Côte d'ivoire 29.5 Democratic Republic of Congo 35 The Gambia 15 Ghana Guinea Bissau 15 Guinea Conakry 15 (Certified),0.4 (Foundation), 0.01 (Breeder) and0.01 (Basic) 17 NERICA L 60 Gbadou and Ngoumangou, WITA 9, IDSA 10 and 60 IDSA 6 NERICA 4, NERICA 7, Baibinge, Lienge, IRAT 112, NERICA L 17 and NERICA L 14 9 sites TMS 14, P163, NERICA 6, ROK5 and Contract with CK 73 seed producers Jasmine 85 (Gbewaa rice) Sahel 222, Sahel 317 NERICA L 19, NERICA L 14, NERICA S 19, ROK5, Banmalo, Nhasene, Yaca Sau, Cablac, Cataco and Sampena ROK5, RD15, Kablack, Kinsampena, Fodeyanna, TAB, Samaka and Nankin Liberia 44 NERICA L 19 Mali 37 Mauritania 9 Niger 45 Nigeria 17.1 SIK350 A150, BW348 1, Kogoni 91 1, WATT 310, NERICA 4 DKA P27 and DKA P16 NERICA S 44, Sahel 108, Sahel 201 and Sahel 202 Gambiaka and IR 1529 FARO 44, FARO 52 and FARO (Certified) 1 (Foundation) 0.02 (Breeder) 0.01 (Basic) Seed producers in Navrongo Contuboel and Caboxanque Koba and Faranah 111 Kpatawee and other sites Office du Niger and Sikasso Ganki Doumbodji, Silbé, Mbothio Garacké, and R geiwatt Direct from seed fields, Wushishi, Edozhigi and Washi 7

8 Rwanda 5 Senegal 10 Sahel 108 NERICA L 67 (Gyambere), NERICA 13 (Fashingabo), NERICA 12 (Rumbuka), 08 fan 10 (Buryohe), Basmati, IR B 17 3, NERICA 12 (Rumbuka), WAT 87 TGR 3 5 (Mpembuke), V13, V30, V15, V3, V5, Yunyine, Yunkeng, Yunertian, TOX 4331, WAT (Gakire), TOX 4331, WAT (Intsinzi), WAT1395 B 24 2 (Instindagirabigega), NERICA 12, Mpembuke; NERICA L 50 (Ndamirabahinzi), V7, V13, V16, V19, V21, V22, V23, Chomrong Dhan, Fofifa 172 and Scrido Sierra Leone 38 NERICA L 19 Togo 18.5 IR Contract wiith seed producers Tikonko, Bayama and Chenese Farm and 20 other sites Contract with farmers ; Tchitchao and 8 other sites 8

9 5.6 Small scale machinery Each country indicated the type of machinery it would like to get in relation to the ecologies of the Hubs. Based on this, Japanese manufacturers of agricultural machinery were consulted to submit quotations for the supply of the equipment to the participating countries. During TICAD V in Japan, Drs Marco Wopereis and Takashi Kumashiro visited Yanmar Company and discussed the possibility of buying the equipment from them. Yanmar indicated that they could supply equipment to only 16 of the 27 countries since they do not have representatives in the 11 other countries. Consequently Kubota and Satake were also contacted. In addition, during the 3rd Africa Rice Congress in Yaoundé, Cameroon, discussions were held with local machinery fabricators in four African countries Mali (SOCAFON), Mauritania (GIEMSA), Senegal (AGRITECH) and Chad (ECAA) for the supply of machinery to the 11 countries not served by Yanmar. Based on the quotations received (from Yanmar, Satake and Kubota) and the available funds, it was decided to procure 2 kits for each country (4 for Mali), comprising 1 power tiller, 1 reaper, 2 rice mills, 1 destonner and a set for parboiling equipment. The equipment are expected to be ready for shipping in April 2014 and will be collected at the factories and delivered to each country by SAGA, a specialist freight company. The suppliers will provide training for local staff in each country on the use and maintenance of the equipment supplied. AfricaRice staff will visit each country during the training and thereafter for monitoring and backstopping. Training on the management and maintenance of agricultural equipment supplied to the countries will be done in early June AficaRice staff will visit each country during the training and again in September 2014 to monitor the use of the equipment. 5.7 Training Training courses on seed production for seed producers, farmers and extension staff were reported by five countries (Burkina Faso, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Liberia, Mali, and Senegal) (Table 2). Further training courses will be conducted on seed production, integrated rice management (IRM) and fabrication of the ASI thresher/cleaner in the first quarter of Table 2: Training on seed production during 2013 Country Dates Participants Total Female Burkina Faso 3 6 Oct 20 Technicians/students Burkina Faso Seed producers 25 Oct Burkina Faso Technicians (At AfricaRice) July 2013 Guinea Conakry (35 farmers + 6 research staff) 9

10 Aug Guinea Conakry (22 farmers + 10 research staff) Aug Liberia 10 Aug 53 farmers 21 Mali 30 Aug 20 Seed producers Mali 12 Sep 37 Seed producers Senegal July Seed producers Photo 3: Training on seed production in Sikasso, Mali, September

11 6 Way forward Seed production was the main activity in all countries in the first and second quarters of Some countries also conducted training on seed production. The next quarter will focus on: Training of trainers on seed production, IRM and mechanization Distribution of seed and agricultural machinery to farmers in the Hubs Monitoring tours by AfricaRice staff 11