NARES and IRRI advance market-driven varieties and accelerate adoption of new rice varieties in Africa

A photo-op of participants at the 2024 NARES-IRRI Joint Advancement Meeting, with over 90 participants from 12 countries, including 25 online attendees.

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, 4 October 2024 – The 2024 NARES-IRRI Joint Advancement Meeting in Zanzibar, Tanzania, reaffirmed a shared commitment to tackling food security challenges in East and Southern Africa (ESA). Hosted by the Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the meeting served as a platform to assess progress, exchange insights, and develop actionable strategies to enhance rice breeding lines and seed systems in the region. By aligning research with market demands and local farming conditions, governments, NARES, and IRRI aim to fast-track the adoption of improved rice varieties—ensuring higher yields, superior grain quality, and greater resilience to climate challenges.

In her inaugural address, Honorable Zena Ahmed Said, Chief Secretary of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, emphasized the importance of collaboration among the government, the agricultural community, IRRI, NARES, and their partners. She highlighted how these partnerships have enabled Zanzibar to benefit from high-yielding, climate-resilient rice varieties and advancements in agricultural practices.

“This platform provides us with an excellent opportunity to deepen our collaboration, strengthen our partnerships, and chart a path forward for the future of rice production in East and Southern Africa,” she stated.

She also assured participants of the government’s ongoing commitment to agricultural research, farmer support, and climate-smart practices.

Research and Innovation Highlights

Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration to enhance ESA’s agricultural sector, particularly rice production, climate-resilient seed…