Thursday, February 23, 2012
   
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Promotion of Upland Rice

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Promotion of Upland Rice
DMI has been promoting and supporting production of New Rice For Africa (NERICA) in selected project districts to boost food security.
NERICA is a cross-breed between African rice (Oryza glaberrima) and Asian rice (Oryza sativa). African rice was the male parent, while Asian rice was the female parent. NERICA combines best traits of both parents i.e. high yields from the Asian rice and ability to thrive in harsh environment from the African rice.
The rice is grown in upland ecology where smallholder farmers lack the ability to irrigate, apply chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, NERICA varieties respond even better than traditional varieties to higher inputs. It offers hope to millions of poor farmers to access food on sustainable basis and empower them economically.
DMI has supported production of NERICA in Kwale, Msambweni, Lamu, Kajiado and Meru North districts, where it has shown positive results. Farmers in Kwale and Msambweni recorded high yields of 4 – 5 tons/ha. under upland conditions.

DMI has been promoting and supporting production of New Rice For Africa (NERICA) in selected project districts to boost food security.

NERICA is a cross-breed between African rice (Oryza glaberrima) and Asian rice (Oryza sativa). African rice was the male parent, while Asian rice was the female parent.

NERICA combines best traits of both parents i.e. high yields from the Asian rice and ability to thrive in harsh environment from the African rice.The rice is grown in upland ecology where smallholder farmers lack the ability to irrigate, apply chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

However, NERICA varieties respond even better than traditional varieties to higher inputs. It offers hope to millions of poor farmers to access food on sustainable basis and empower them economically.

DMI has supported production of NERICA in Kwale, Msambweni, Lamu, Kajiado and Meru North districts, where it has shown positive results. Farmers in Kwale and Msambweni recorded high yields of 4 – 5 tons/ha. under upland conditions.