For Ivorian farmer Salmata Ouattara, 2023 marked a breakthrough. Unpredictable rains once ruined her rice harvest, but adopting Smart Valleys—a low-cost water control method by Africa Rice—more than doubled her yields and income. Backed by Japan’s agriculture ministry, the initiative transforms underused inland valleys into fertile, flood-resistant farms and encourages crop diversification. Africa Rice, founded in 1971, aims to help Africa achieve continental rice self-sufficiency by 2030. However, challenges persist—sub-Saharan Africa imports 40% of its rice, mostly from Asia, while erratic rainfall hampers production. Due to these challenges, climate-resilient solutions are critical. Africa Rice is working to solve this problem by developing drought-resistant varieties, promoting nutrient-rich rice products, and helping countries move toward self-sufficiency.
The Guardian
