In West Africa, rice has become the largest source of calories and food for more than 380 million people. It has consistently increased in demand due to rapid urbanization, population growth and changing consumer behavior. Its growing importance is evident in the strategic food security planning policies in the region. In 2019, the global grain […]
Rice is a staple crop that has been grown in West Africa for more than 3500 years, since the domestication of African rice (Oryza glaberrima). Produced by low-income smallholders across the entire region, rice plays a key role in regional food security for rural and urban populations. In recent years, increasing demand stemming from population […]
Traditional rice-growing practices in Nigeria contribute to water scarcity and greenhouse gas emissions. Continuous flooding of rice fields leads to inefficient water use and exacerbates environmental problems, including methane emissions and climate change. There is an urgent need to switch from these conventional practices to more sustainable alternatives, such as the System of Rice Intensification […]