© IRC. 2023
How sub-Saharan Africa can transform itself from a rice importer to the next basket of global food security
by Abdelbagi M. Ismail, Regional Director, IRRI-Africa
The rice consumption in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is rising more rapidly than any other commodity. Because of economic growth, increasing urbanization, and changing consumer preferences, rice is rapidly replacing traditional staple crops, such as millet and sorghum, as SSA's primary source of calories. This makes rice the new foundation of food security and social stability in the region.
The rising demand for rice will outpace any increases in domestic production, making SSA the leading destination in the global rice trade. Its projected rice imports are expected to surpass those of Asia.
Over the last 10 years, the demand for rice in SSA has increased at 6% per annum, making it the fastest growth rate in the world. In 2018, rice consumption in the region was estimated at 33 million tons, and almost half of that was imported. The USDA estimated the cost of imported rice that year to be USD 6.4 billion. By 2030, the region’s rice imports could reach USD 11 billion.
Many African countries have prioritized becoming self-sufficient in rice and less dependent on imported rice. Although the goal is immense and ambitious, it is not only possible to achieve but is, in fact, the best option for the region.
What makes rice self-sufficiency in Africa attainable is the presence of all the elements needed for producing enough rice domestically to meet local demands. The space to grow rice is there. Over 190 million hectares of inlands are estimated to be suitable for rice production but only about 12 million ha are currently being used. In Asia, where 90% of rice is produced, the total rice production area is about 137 million ha. Imagine the rice that African farmers would produce if they could harness the full potential of these “sleeping” lands.
How do African countries that are currently heavily dependent on rice imports move towards becoming rice self-sufficient and even future exporters? That path is heavily laden with challenges.
Let’s start with the dominant rice varieties being planted by African farmers, which are mostly low-yielding (almost 50% below world average) with poor tolerance to environmental stresses and high susceptibility to pests and diseases.
Then, modernizing the crop production aspect. Most African farmers still use traditional production and processing systems, and rainfed farming dominates Africa’s rice production, which is reliant on water sources that have become even more unpredictable in the face of climate change. They lack access to affordable agrochemicals, particularly fertilizers, and to output markets because of the fragmented value chains.
Inadequate post-harvest management practices and storage are major contributors to low rice output. In 2018, total postharvest losses in SSA reached 48% valued at USD 10.24 billion.
Although urban consumers are willing to purchase domestically produced rice at a premium price only if its quality is comparable to imported rice. However, rice producers in SSA are unlikely to tap local markets given the relatively poor quality compared with imported rice.
The region’s rice sector is further saddled by labor shortage— which is linked to gender inequality and limited opportunities for women and youth—and insufficient local agricultural policies to enable it to take meaningful progressive steps.
None of these problems are easy to solve, but none of them are insurmountable.
The engine that will move the continent’s rice sector forward from where it is now to where it should be is a dynamic and thriving rice research sector in Africa to develop scientific breakthroughs, technologies, strategies, and empowering and enabling policies for Africa.
The world has witnessed the transformative power of rice research in Asia. It began with the Green Revolution in the 1960s and led to the rise of countries such as India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam, into massive rice producers and exporters.
Africa may have missed the first Green Revolution but it’s not too late. In fact, this is a critical time when science and technology interventions can have maximum impact on Africa’s rice industry that will ensure sustainable and healthy rice systems that are resilient and profitable for smallholder farmers.
Many of these scientific and technological interventions will be highlighted during the Sixth International Rice Congress (IRC2023) in Manila under the theme Accelerating Transformation of Rice-Based Food Systems: From Gene to Globe. Convened by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) every four years, IRC2023 is a global platform for rice-based food systems innovators to work towards shaping a food- and nutrition-secure future.
During this pivotal summit, which will be held on 16-19 October, delegates composed of governments, private, and public sector scientists, experts, and decision-makers will share their insights about the conference themes and formulate evidence-based solutions to some of the biggest challenges of the global rice sector, including those that afflict Africa.
Africa’s rice-based food systems hold considerable promise. With the increasing number of people facing food and nutrition insecurity due to climate-induced disasters, the devastating socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and food trade restrictions, among other factors, those of us who have a role to play in converting the challenges into opportunities for promoting food security and poverty reduction in Africa cannot afford to waste any time.
The science is there, the technologies exist, and the expertise is available. These will come together at IRC2023.
