NERICA
Seed for Safeguarding Côte d’Ivoire’s
Future
|
 |
|
|
| Women farmers in Danane
are key to achieving food security and peace
in Côte d’Ivoire. |
|
While images of the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire
were broadcast widely, little is known about the heartwarming
story of NERICA (New Rice for Africa) seeds, saved by
women farmers, helping jumpstart and rehabilitate agriculture
in the war-torn country. NERICA was created by WARDA—The
Africa Rice Center and the new rice is bringing hope to
millions of poor farmers in Africa, particularly women
farmers.
“Despite the conflict, enterprising women farmers
in Danane, western Côte d’Ivoire were able
to harvest and save 25 tons of NERICA seeds last year,”
said Gouantoueu Guei, head of genetic resources at ARC.
“Under the aegis of the Government’s ‘Rice
for All’ program, the saved seeds will help farmers
to plant crops thereby restarting agriculture in war-ravaged
areas and helping lay the foundations for economic growth
and durable peace.”
ARC is providing breeders’ seed of NERICA and other
promising rice varieties to women farmers with the help
of a local NGO, the Organisation volontaire du développement
local (OVDL). Women farmers are also trained in community-based
seed production systems.
NERICA is well suited for use by poor farmers who cannot
afford costly inputs such as fertilizer and herbicides.
Women farmers have found a strong ally in NERICA because
it boosts incomes and helps to better feed their families.
Apart from desired traits such as high productivity, improved
protein content, and weed resistance, NERICA rice matures
30 to 50 days earlier than other varieties grown in the
region. This early-maturing trait is particularly valuable
for rural women because it allows them to bridge the perilous
‘hungry season’ gap when food stocks are exhausted
and the standing crop is not ready for harvest. Early
harvests help feed school-going children in August, and
income earned from selling rice also helps pay children’s
school fees.
“Our experiences once again reveal the fundamentally
crucial role women play in agriculture and seed storage,”
adds Dr. Guei. “Their efforts are crucial to future
food production of the whole country.”
|
|
