The K-rice belt: Seeds for self-sufficiency?

Could Africa reduce its dependency on imported rice with the help of South Korea?

The continent's appetite for rice is growing fast at over 6% per year. And even though rice is grown in about 40 out of 54 countries in Africa, the production only covers about 60% of the demand. This results in 14 to 15 million tonnes of rice being imported each year costing over $6bn.

To remedy this, a new rice variety was developed in cooperation with South Korea: ISRIZ-7 and ISRIZ-8. These high yield rice varieties were bred from the very rice that is credited with bringing self-sufficiency in rice to South Korea in the 70’s.

Now they want to take this further.

Earlier this year 10 African nations launched the ‘K-Rice Belt’ or ‘Korean Rice Belt’ project to improve rice yields in participating countries.

In this edition, David Cann looks into the rice cooperation between South Korea and African countries; speaking to the South Korean agricultural minister and farmers in Senegal and The Gambia.

Presented and produced by David Cann.

(Picture: ISRIZ rice; Credit: Rural Development Administration)