Rice is a staple food for millions of people in Africa, but it is also vulnerable to flooding, which can destroy crops and livelihoods.
However, thanks to the development and dissemination of flood-tolerant rice varieties, many farmers in Africa are able to cope with this challenge and improve their productivity and income.
What is flood-tolerant rice?
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Flood-tolerant rice is a type of rice that can survive and recover from complete or partial submergence under water for up to two weeks, as per Phys.org.
This trait is conferred by a gene called Sub1, which was identified and transferred from a traditional Indian rice variety to high-yielding varieties by scientists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and their partners.
Flood-tolerant rice varieties can produce up to three times more yield than conventional varieties under flooded conditions.
Flood-tolerant rice varieties have been developed and released for different regions and environments, such as rainfed lowlands, irrigated lowlands, and direct-seeded systems.
Some of the most popular varieties include Swarna Sub1, IR64 Sub1, Sambha Mahsuri Sub1, Ciherang Sub1, and Sahbhagi Dhan.
How does flood-tolerant rice benefit, African farmers?
Flood-tolerant rice has been widely adopted by farmers in Asia, where it has helped reduce losses and increase food security for millions of households.
In Africa, where rice production has been growing rapidly in recent years, flood-tolerant rice also offers great potential for enhancing the resilience and profitability of rice farming.
According to a recent study by researchers from IRRI and other institutions, two flood-tolerant rice varieties, Swarna Sub1, and Ciherang Sub1, are helping farmers in Africa to improve their productivity, with huge potential returns for countries affected by climate change, as per SciDevNet.
The study evaluated the performance and impact of these varieties in six African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The study found that Swarna Sub1 and Ciherang Sub1 increased yield by 30% and 20%, respectively, compared to local varieties under flooded conditions.
They also reduced yield variability and the risk of crop failure. The adoption of these varieties could generate an additional income of $430 million per year for African farmers.
The study also highlighted the importance of ensuring the availability and accessibility of quality seeds of flood-tolerant rice varieties for farmers.
It recommended strengthening seed systems, enhancing extension services, promoting awareness campaigns, and creating enabling policies to facilitate the adoption and scaling up of these technologies.
Another study by researchers from the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) estimated that the adoption of flood-tolerant rice varieties could generate up to $3 billion in five years for African countries.
The study also found that flood-tolerant rice could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding methane production from decomposing plants underwater.
How does flood-tolerant rice contribute to climate change adaptation?
Flood-tolerant rice is an example of climate-smart agriculture, which aims to increase productivity, enhance adaptation, and reduce emissions in the face of climate change, as per Africa Rice.
Flood-tolerant rice can help farmers adapt to the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding events that are expected to occur due to climate change.
Flood-tolerant rice can also help mitigate climate change by reducing the need for replanting after floods, which saves labor, seeds, water, fertilizer, and fuel.
It also reduces the emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is produced when organic matter decomposes under waterlogged conditions.
Flood-tolerant rice can also enhance food security and nutrition by providing a stable source of calories and protein for millions of people who depend on rice as their main staple food.
It can also improve livelihoods and incomes by increasing yields and reducing losses due to floods.
