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Proceedings of the Inaugural
Meeting of Regional Steering Committee: Boosting Rice Research in Eastern and Central Africa
Introduction: The meeting was
conducted alongside the 3rd FARA General Assembly under Sub Theme 2 on Enhancing
Capacity for
Accelerated Development.
Objective: To introduce the Eastern and Central Africa Rice
Research Network (ECARRN) and provide opportunity for rice scientists to
interact with different stakeholders in the region.
The meeting took place in the Equator Hall- Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel
on 08 June, 2005 as the Pre-Plenary session of the 3rd
biennial FARA General Assembly.
Agenda of the meeting
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Event |
Speaker/Chair |
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Registration |
Participants |
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09:00-09:30 |
Rice research in SSA |
Dr. S.O. Keya –WARDA |
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Time |
Introducing ECARRN |
Dr. A. Luzi-Kihupi - WARDA |
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08:30–09:00 |
Review of Rice Constraints and
Opportunities in ECA |
Dr. J. Mbapila –ARI-KATRIN, Tanzania |
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10 :15-10 :30 |
Coffee Break
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10 :30-11 :00 |
WARDA & SG 2000 Collaboration |
Dr. T. Berhe-SG2000 |
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11:00-11:30 |
The Success Story of NERICA in Uganda |
Dr. G. Bigirwa NARO, Uganda |
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11:30-13:00 |
Panel Discussions and closure |
Dr J. DeVries |
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13:00 |
Lunch
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The meting was chaired by Dr Joe DeVries
of The Rockefeller
Foundation. He pointed out the increasing
importance of rice in the sub-region and it is likely to
overtake maize in terms of importance in future. The outcomes of the
meting are presented as follows:
Topic 1: Problem of few Rice Breeders in the region
It is a fact that there are very few rice breeders in ECA sub-region. The
breeders are needed to fine-tune the NERICA varieties in order to correct
some of the short comings such a grain quality. An example was given on
the NERICA varieties that were released in Uganda.
REVEALED that
grain quality was an issue. Aroma, grain length and stickiness of NERICA
do not meet the consumer preference in Uganda.
NOTED that the strategy to address this will require a breeder
who will collaborate with the Breeders at WARDA to incorporate the
required traits into the NERICA varieties. In Uganda for example, there is
only one Breeder who is currently doing Ph.D. studies in South Africa.
RAISED
the issue of age limit for candidates applying for Ph.D.
sponsorships specifically under Rockefeller foundation. REQUESTED
that there be a flexibility to allow candidates in their early forties to
apply.
NOTED
that the candidates above forty years old will have a
short time to work after completion of their studies before they retire.
Noted also that very few candidates apply to undertake postgraduate
studies in rice breeding.
PROPOSED
that the time for the students to stay abroad should be
reduced so that they do their research within their countries. This can be
done as a sandwich programme whereby the students are attached to their
home institution to do their research work.
Topic 2:
Labour shortage in rice farming
NOTED
that labour is a constraint in rice production but there
is high return to labour compared with other crops.
NOTED
that weeding requires more labour. Wondered whether
breeding for weed tolerance is feasible to reduce cost of production.
POINTED out that some activities are unavoidable. It is better
to come up with strategies that can minimize weed problem.
NOTED that breeding for early vigour could render the rice plant
early establishment and hence compete more with weeds. POINTED out that plant rotation is also a good practice to
control weeds.
INFORMED that very few farmers esp. in Uganda use herbicides.
NOTED further usually herbicides are not available during the peak
season at an affordable price.
INFORMED that spacing is also important. Example in Benin
spacing of 70cmx12cm can reduce weed by 30-40 %.
Topic 3: Current level of productivity of NERICA
NOTED that Lowland ecology is important in the region, wondered
why emphasis is put in the upland ecology. RAISED the possibility of producing rice in the lowlands area
and what are the constraints involved.
NOTED that emphasis was put on the upland varieties because
there was no good upland rice varieties.
Also NOTED that in Uganda very few farmers have access to the
lowlands while most have access to the upland fields.
POINTED out that higher yields in the uplands are obtained on
virgin land, in subsequent years yields can be reduced due to nutrient
depletion.
RECOMMENDED that for sustainability, emphasis should also be put
on the lowland ecology.
Topic
4: Problem of balancing research in different ecologies
NOTED
that WARDA developed varieties for upland conditions.
Wondered whether there is a possibility of improving O. Sativa to
create improved varieties for the lowlands, considering that lowland rice
culture occupies a larger area than other culture in the region.
INFORMED that the first batch of NERICA was for the upland conditions
but new NERICA for the lowlands are available.
INFORMED that breeders in Tanzania are working on improving
O.sativa for rainfed lowland culture which is the largest ecology in
Tanzania.
Topic 5:
National Rice stakeholders’ Association
SUGGESTED to form Rice Stakeholders’ Association at the national
level as a platform of sharing information The platform can also assist
the farmers in getting seed, market and market information.
REMINDED that FOFOFA in Madagascar has a strong team in rice
research, they should be invited in such meetings.
AGREED
that Madagascar is a key country of the Network. A member
of Regional Steering Committee from Madagascar will be invited to attend
the Regional Steering Committee and Stakeholders’ meetings.
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