{"id":93973,"date":"2025-01-13T11:43:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T11:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/local-scientists-develop-high-yielding-rice-variety"},"modified":"2025-01-21T15:28:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T15:28:31","slug":"local-scientists-develop-high-yielding-rice-variety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/economy\/local-scientists-develop-high-yielding-rice-variety","title":{"rendered":"Local scientists develop high-yielding rice variety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Scientists at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) have developed a new high-yielding rice variety that is soon to be released, officials have announced.<\/p>\n

According to Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy Director General for Agriculture Development at RAB, the new variety, locally named “Keza,” has demonstrated impressive yields of 5 tonnes per hectare during its final trial phase.<\/p>\n

“We have a number of aromatic varieties selected and tested by our national breeders in the Bugarama plain,” Uwamahoro disclosed. “One of them, ‘Keza,’ to be released officially, exhibits high yields, reaching 5 tonnes per hectare.”<\/p>\n

Rice variety trials are a rigorous process, typically spanning three to five years. The release of “Keza” is expected to significantly boost local rice production compared to existing varieties.<\/p>\n

For instance, the popular Basmati 370 typically yields between 2.5 and 3 tonnes per hectare, according to her.<\/p>\n

Currently, RAB has released and maintains approximately 20 rice varieties cultivated across the country, including six long-grain varieties and others with medium or short grains.<\/p>\n

“The breeding program aims to develop high-yielding, marketable rice varieties that are adaptable to diverse climatic conditions and resistant to major pests and diseases,” Uwamahoro added. “Rice field trials are conducted nationwide.”<\/p>\n

Demand for new productive varieties<\/b><\/p>\n

Ernest Mfashingabo, a local rice farmer and breeder in Cyarukara Cell, Muganza Sector, Rusizi District, emphasised the urgent need for access to improved rice varieties to enhance productivity in the Bugarama wetland.<\/p>\n

“I began breeding in 2023,” Mfashingabo explained. “However, I understand that when a rice variety is cultivated for an extended period without improvement or replacement, it becomes less adaptable to the climate and more vulnerable to pests and diseases.”<\/p>\n

A woman takes care of her harvest in Bugarama marshland<\/p>\n

Rusizi District is a leading rice producer in Rwanda due to the Bugarama swampland, a region known for its hot climate, favourable for rice cultivation.<\/p>\n

“Long-grain rice varieties that have been cultivated for many years lose their resilience to climate change and diseases,” Mfashingabo stated.<\/p>\n

“We strongly advocate for new varieties that can yield at least 800 kilograms per block (a common land measurement unit used by local farmers) to increase national rice production.”<\/p>\n

ALSO: Over 3,000 tonnes of rice get long-awaited buyers in Rusizii<\/p>\n

Seth Ntihemuka, a farmer in Bweramana, Ruhango District, echoed similar sentiments:<\/p>\n

“The government should prioritise access to more improved, high-quality rice varieties. Additionally, more rice wetlands need to be prepared for cultivation. Many swamps, including ours, have been severely impacted by heavy rainfall.”<\/p>\n

Increased rice production<\/b><\/p>\n

According to the Seasonal Agricultural Survey for 2023-2024 conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), paddy rice production increased to 72,834 metric tonnes in Season B of 2024 from 69,098 metric tonnes in Season B of 2023.<\/p>\n

In Season A of 2024, the average paddy rice yield was 4.1 tonnes per hectare, with small-scale farmers producing 2.6 tonnes per hectare and large-scale farmers harvesting 4.1 tonnes per hectare. In Season B 2024, small-scale farmers harvested 3.1 tonnes per hectare, while large-scale farmers harvested 4.2 tonnes per hectare.<\/p>\n

One of the rice varieties grown in Rusizi District.<\/p>\n\r\n