2008 Progress Report: Stress-Tolerant Rice for Farm Households in Africa and South Asia

Grantee: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

This grant is surpassing its milestones and our expectations. We believe it may be able to reach many more farmers than initially envisioned.

Listening to farmers leads to better results: IRRI works closely with farmers through a process called “participatory variety selection” to develop rice varieties that meet their needs. The process has resulted in better varieties. It’s also built awareness and demand from farmers—and increased interest and support from governments, which are critical partners in helping make these seeds available to farmers.

Breakthrough science for small farmers: IRRI has developed successful rice varieties that are already being adapted by farmers. For example, IRRI has developed rice varieties that can survive up to 20 days under water. This is particularly important in South Asia—where flooding is frequent and often wipes out farmers’ crops—and we’ve seen rapid uptake among farmers. Another success is the development and rapid adoption of varieties that can withstand soil with high levels of salt (a common problem associated with over-irrigation in South Asia).

Context is key: This grant works on two continents with very different contexts. South Asia has good capacity and infrastructure in place to rapidly distribute the varieties developed. Africa, in contrast, does not. For example, rice is increasingly important in Africa but there are few rice scientists on the continent. We need to think creatively about how to build capacity and partnerships that ensure that new varieties actually make it to farmers’ fields.

Standing on others’ shoulders: Many people and organizations have worked on stress tolerance for years. IRRI has been able to build on a lot of past research, which is one reason they are managing to have an impact so quickly.

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Goal: Develop heartier varieties of rice and deliver them to 400,000 farmers in Africa and Asia so they can increase their yields and incomes.

Objective: Research and develop drought-, submergence-, salt-, iron-toxicity-, and cold-tolerant breeding lines of rice.

Target: Develop a total of 845 advanced breeding lines (620 in South Asia and 225 in Sub-Saharan Africa) by 2010.

Objective: Train rice scientists and technicians in the target countries to develop improved varieties so that the rice can withstand stressful environments.

Target: Train a total of 1,315 scientists (740 in South Asia and 575 in Sub-Saharan Africa) on rice breeding, crop management, and seed production by 2010.

Objective: Promote, produce, and deliver these new rice varieties to 400,000 farmers in the target countries.

Target: Produce 14,060 tons of stress-tolerant seeds for distribution to farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia by November 2010.