Researchers with the West Africa Rice Development Association have introduced a hybrid strain of rice, Nerica, which will allow African farmers to obtain higher yields without significantly altering current farming practices.
The hybrid is a combination of an African rice strain that is highlight resistant to weeds and harsh African conditions as well as an Asian rice strain that gives high yields. The combination is the result of 10 years of research on various strains of rice.
Although the rice doesn’t require additional fertilizers or insecticides, ironically it has been slow to catch on because African farmers assume that any new hybrid will require such expensive additional resources. The researchers who developed the new strain of rice are trying to obtain more seed in order to try to spread the popularity of the hybrid.
Source:
Rice hybrid raises African hopes. Corrine Podger, The BBC, June 18, 2001.