Africa – Guinea-Bissau’s rice development project receives AfDB support
The project is estimated at US $6.13 million.
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The project is estimated at US $6.13 million.
Scientists are developing rice varieties able to cope with rising salinity when water levels are too high or dry conditions, aimed at sustainable solutions for all delta rice production regions.
According to a report from the UN World Food Program (WFP) changes in rainfall patterns can increase the likelihood of crop failure and result in production declines.
The improvement in water management will also help in reducing methane emissions and arsenic uptake in the rice fields.
The rice production forecast for 2016 was lowered by one million tons to 494 million tons.
Vietnam grows three rice crops annually, of which the winter-spring crop is the biggest and its grain is used mostly for export.
The hot and dry weather could also increase the population of rice pest, which could contribute to the decline in rice yields.
The drought, as well as the related flow of saltwater upriver, has destroyed 159,000 hectares of rice paddies and left almost one million people lacking drinking water, according to a new UN report.
More than 200.000 metric tons of rice have been damaged, reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The main challenge is how inland valleys can be efficiently and sustainably used to boost Africa’s rice production. The key is improved water control.