Globe Spotting

Januar 2014: Aus der Ankündigung: Rice has become a strategic and political crop in many African countries. The hikes in rice prices since 2007 have shown the vulnerability of many African countries that depend on the world market for rice imports and the need to boost Africa's domestic production. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the rice sector in Africa and the ongoing rice research and development activities in the region and discusses challenges and opportunities related to increasing rice production and rice productivity, enhancing rice quality and marketing, promoting conducive policies for smallholder and agribusiness development, and strengthening impact-oriented rice research, extension and knowledge management. It also indicates priorities for action on how to realize Africa's rice promise, i.e. the notion that Africa has sufficient land and water resources to produce enough rice to feed its own population and, in the long term, generate export revenues.

Wopereis, M. C. S. Johnson, D. E. Ahmadi, N. Tollens, E. Jalloh, A. (Editors), Realizing Africa's Rice Promise. November 2013 (Africa Rice Center) 150,00 Euro

First-ever field trials of genetically engineered rice in Africa - USAID promotes gene technology and US-biotech-companies

by Uwe Hoering, January 2014

In the late 1990s it was NERICA, the 'New Rice for Africa', on which hopes were pinned to increase yields of smallholder farms, improve incomes and reduce hunger. Now it is ARICAs, which stands for 'Advanced Rices for Africa', which "can be considered as the next generation of rice varieties for Africa". In future it shall be NEWEST rice varieties, genetically modified to be adapted to African conditions like depleted soils, water scarcity, and salinity. More

November 2013: Aus dem Abstract: "This report highlights the great potential of the agribusiness sector in Africa by drawing on experience in Africa as well as other regions. The evidence demonstrates that good policies, a conducive business environment, and strategic support from governments can help agribusiness reach its potential. The report pursues several lines of analysis. First, it synthesizes the large body of work on agriculture and agribusiness in Africa. Second, it builds on a diagnosis of specific value chains. As part of this effort, the value chain for Africa's largest and fastest-growing food import, rice, is benchmarked in Senegal and Ghana against Thailand's rice value chain. Third, 170 agribusiness investments by the Commonwealth Development Corporation in Africa and Southeast Asia are analyzed to gain perspective on the elements of success and failure. Fourth, the report synthesizes perspectives from the private sector through interviews with 23 leading agribusiness investors and a number of other key informants. In conclusion, the report offers practical policy advice based on the experience of countries from within and outside Africa."

Growing Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Agribusiness. By D. Byerlee, et al. World Bank, 2013. Download (pdf-file)

von Uwe Hoering, Juli 2012

Der steile Anstieg und die starken Schwankungen der Nahrungsmittelpreise haben Vorschläge angestoßen, durch Vorratshaltung auf nationaler und internationaler Ebene Instrumente zu schaffen, die diese Entwicklung steuern und die Auswirkungen auf die Ernährungssituation abfedern sollen. Die Publikation "Grain Reserves and the Food Price Crisis" des Institut for Agricultural and Trade Policy, IATP, beispielsweise stellt Beiträge dieser Debatte zusammen. Weitere Beiträge zur Diskussion in einer Zusammenfassung: Mehr

Januar 2009:Nerica, Kreuzungen zwischen afrikanischen und asiatischen Sorten, wurden als 'Wunder-Reis' gelobt, der Afrika zum Selbstversorger machen kann. Eine Studie von GRAIN zeigt an ausgewählten Beispielen aus mehreren Ländern auf, dass die Erwartungen höherer Erträge durch den 'Neuen Reis für Afrika' nicht erfüllt werden und der Anbau mehr Dünger und Arbeit erfordert. Erträge von wieder ausgesäten Saatgut gingen zurück, sodass für jede Saison neues Saatgut gekauft werden muss. Ähnlich wie bei den Reissorten der 'Grünen Revolution' fallen geringere Strohmengen und damit Futter an, weil Nerica kürzere Halme als traditionelle Sorten hat. Zudem warnt die Studie davor, dass traditionelle Sorten verdrängt werden könnten und damit die Abhängigkeit von Saaatgutunternehmen zunehmen würde.

GRAIN, Nerica - another trap for small farmers in Africa. January 2009. Download (pdf file)

by Uwe Hoering, September 2008

An increasing number of farmers in Cambodia are turning to the so-called "System of Rice Intensification" (SRI method for cultivating rice. The SRI method enables farmers to increase their yields while using less seed, less water and fewer external inputs, helping them to attain secure livelihoods. Farmers from Cambodia's Takeo Province who increased both production and profit with the help of this new cultivation method talk about their experiences.  

Rich Harvest. The System of Rice Intensification, 16 pages, ed. by CEDAC Cambodia) and EED (Germany): Download (pdf-Datei 1,8mb)