NERICA: High yield rice varieties for Africa

NERICA: Higher Yields, Resilience, and Profitability for African Farmers.

NERICA varieties exhibit exceptional agronomic traits tailored to African growing conditions. With potential yields ranging from 2 to 6 tons per hectare, they offer a significant boost in productivity. These varieties demonstrate low susceptibility to weed infestations and display resilience to short-term drought, making them well-suited for regions with unpredictable rainfall patterns. Furthermore, their adaptability to poor soils underscores their suitability for diverse agricultural landscapes. NERICA's moderate resistance to major diseases like rust and leaf blight, along with its tolerance to pests such as nematodes and leafminers, minimizes the need for chemical interventions. This robust combination of traits positions NERICA as a vital asset for sustainable and resilient agriculture in Africa.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Its enhances food stability and economic security for adult farmers.

The poor: Positive medium

Its strengthens local food availability, reducing the need to purchase imported rice.

Under 18: Positive medium

Its improves food security, helping to prevent childhood malnutrition.

Women: Positive high

Its empowers women farmers, who often manage rice production, by offering a resilient and profitable crop

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Designed to thrive in drought-prone and upland areas, making it suitable for regions affected by climate change.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Its requires fewer inputs, which eases resource demands on farmers, allowing them to manage climate challenges more effectively.

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Less reliance on chemical fertilizers contributes to a lower carbon footprint in farming practices.

Problem

Low Yields: Traditional rice varieties often yield less, impacting food security and farmers' income.
Pest and Disease Vulnerability: Conventional varieties are more susceptible to pests and diseases, leading to yield losses.
Limited Resilience to Harsh Conditions: Many varieties struggle in nutrient-poor soils and under erratic rainfall.
Reliance on Imports: Insufficient local production leads to heavy reliance on imported rice, affecting economic stability.

Solution

Increased Yields: NERICA varieties yield more, ensuring food security and higher income.
Pest and Disease Resistance: They resist pests and diseases, reducing chemical use.
Adaptability: Thrives in poor soils and limited water, suitable for diverse environments.
Reduced Imports Dependency: Boosts local production, enhancing economic stability.
Empowering Farmers: Accessible to small-scale growers, improving practices and income.
Nutritional Value: Higher protein content for a healthier staple.

Key points to design your project

NERICA positively impacts gender by providing increased opportunities for women's participation in agriculture and enhancing their food security. It also contributes to climate resilience through its drought tolerance and adaptability to varied environmental conditions, thereby mitigating the effects of climate change.

To integrate this technology into your project, consider the following activities and prerequisites:

Breeders and seed suppliers should develop NERICA varieties tailored to conditions in growing areas.
Conduct awareness-raising campaigns with farmers to highlight the benefits of planting improved rice varieties for food production and risk mitigation.
Ensure equitable access and financial support for local suppliers and smallholder farmers to catalyze investments and purchases of NERICA rice.

Estimate the quantity of seeds needed for your project, considering a technology cost of USD 0.8 to 1.2 per kilogram. Also, include delivery costs to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.
Consider engaging a team of trainers to provide training and support during project installation, including costs for training and post-training support. Develop communication materials such as flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts to support the technology.
For better optimization of the improved maize variety, consider associating this technology with Deep urea placement for nitrogen management, Foliar micronutrient addition, Engineered irrigation surfacing, and Motorized weeders for cutting and burying paddy weeds.
To implement the technology in your country, explore collaborations with agricultural development institutes and seed multiplication companies.

Consider the specicifity of each NERICA varieites:

Varieties	Agro-ecology	Stade of maturity in day	Yield kgha-1	Nutritious traits
NERICA 1	Upland rice	95-100	4500	Non-sticky, Aromatic
NERICA 2	Upland rice	90–95	4000	Non-sticky, Non-Aromatic
NERICA 3	Upland rice	95–100	4500	Medium texture, Non-Aromatic
NERICA 4	Upland rice	90–95	4000	Medium texture, Non-Aromatic
NERICA 6	Upland rice	95–100	5000	Medium texture, Non-Aromatic
NERICA 7	Upland rice	95–100	5000	Non-sticky, Non-Aromatic
NERICA 10	Upland rice	90–95	4000

1.7—0.7 ton per ha

with and without fertilizer

IP

Open source / open access

Scaling Readiness describes how complete a technology’s development is and its ability to be scaled. It produces a score that measures a technology’s readiness along two axes: the level of maturity of the idea itself, and the level to which the technology has been used so far.

Each axis goes from 0 to 9 where 9 is the “ready-to-scale” status. For each technology profile in the e-catalogs we have documented the scaling readiness status from evidence given by the technology providers. The e-catalogs only showcase technologies for which the scaling readiness score is at least 8 for maturity of the idea and 7 for the level of use.

The graph below represents visually the scaling readiness status for this technology, you can see the label of each level by hovering your mouse cursor on the number.

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 8 out of 9

Uncontrolled environment: tested

Level of use 8 out of 9

Used by some intended users, in the real world

Maturity of the idea										Level of use
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

Enabling Environments for Sustainable Regional Agriculture Extension (ENSURE)

Project funder: African Development Bank & East Africa Community
Planned Budget: USD 13.14 million
Location: East African Community (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda)
Planned duration: 2024–2027
Deployment means: On-farm demonstrations, training, digital tools (SMS, IVR, video, radio, pictorial guides), bundled inputs + advisory services, Training of Trainers (ToT)
Project main implementer: East African Community (EAC)
Project Description: Strengthen agricultural extension systems using digital tools, private-sector approaches, regional coordination, and multi-commodity focus (maize, cassava, rice, drought-resilient crops).
Objective: Promote regional extension, enhance advisory services, scale climate-smart technologies, build sustainable private sector–led extension systems, strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks.
Expected outcome: Increased adoption of improved technologies, improved farmer productivity and profitability, enhanced access to quality inputs and pest management solutions, strengthened resilience to climate and pest risks, regional market integration, job creation for youth and agripreneurs.
Figures of adoption: Target 3 million farmers reached over 4 years, digital extension pilots in 7 EAC states, training of extension agents, lead farmers, cooperatives, and youth agripreneurs, rollout of Pest Information Management Systems (PIMS).
Profiles of adopters: Smallholder farmers, women, youth agripreneurs, cooperatives and producer organizations, public and private extension agents, National Plant Protection Officers (NPPOs).
Lessons learnt: System-level approaches needed beyond technology delivery, digital tools most effective with in-person facilitation, supportive policy/regulatory environment critical, regional harmonization boosts scalability and cross-border diffusion of technologies.

Projet d’Appui au Développement des Chaînes de Valeurs en soutien au Programme de Transformation de l’Agriculture (PADCV-PTA)

Project funder: African Development Bank
Planned Budget: USD 311.609 million
Location: 6 provinces in Congo (Kongo Central, Kwango, Maï-Ndombe, Kasaï Oriental, Lomami, Sud-Kivu)
Planned duration: 2024–2029
Deployment means: Direct access to improved seeds and planting materials, seed system strengthening (INERA, SENASEM, multipliers), Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots (1,600 sites), strengthened public extension (SNV), training/capacity building, subsidized or cost-shared inputs and equipment, irrigation infrastructure (5,200 ha), rural road rehabilitation (600 km), contract farming and private sector partnerships
Project main implementer: Social Fund of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Project Description: Implements the National Pact for Food and Agriculture (PNAA) using an integrated value chain approach combining technology access (seeds, practices), infrastructure development (irrigation, roads), extension services, farmer organization, finance, and market access to boost productivity, reduce imports, strengthen resilience, and structure agricultural value chains.
Objective: Restore national seed capital, scale improved and climate-resilient technologies, increase productivity, facilitate access to inputs/advisory/markets/finance, promote climate-smart agriculture, strengthen farmer organizations and value chain governance, reduce food imports, and enhance resilience to climate shocks and conflict.
Expected outcome: ~80% crop yield increase (rice, cassava, maize, soybean), 1.68 million tons/year additional production, expansion of irrigated rice, improved access to seeds/inputs, stronger farmer organizations, better post-harvest handling and market integration, increased private sector engagement, reduced food imports, improved national food security.
Figures of adoption: 900,000 farming households directly supported, ~295,000 ha cultivated with improved seeds, 5,200 ha irrigated rice, 600 km rural roads rehabilitated, 1,600 FFS/demonstration plots, 2 million households indirectly benefiting, +4.1 million tons private sector processing, ~1.68 million tons annual production increase
Profiles of adopters: Smallholder farmers, women farmers (100% of women-headed households in target areas), youth/agripreneurs, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Kivu, seed producers, cooperatives, farmer organizations/inter-professional associations, public extension services, local authorities
Lessons learnt: Infrastructure (irrigation, roads) and market access are critical for adoption, seed system reform is a bottleneck, contract farming/aggregation incentivizes adoption, combining inputs + extension + finance accelerates impact, governance and institutional coordination are key for scaling and sustainability

Projet d'Urgence de Production et de Sécurite Alimentaire & Nutritionnelle (PUPSAN/AEFPF)

Project funder: African Development Bank (AfDB) Group – Transition Support Facility (TSF) loan and grant
Planned Budget: USD 7.040 million
Location: Republic of Mali
Planned duration: 2022–2024
Deployment means: Distribution of certified seeds and subsidized fertilizers, training for extension staff and farmers on climate-resilient practices, use of digital tools (tablets with Rice Advice and WeedMaster applications)
Project main implementer: Ministry of Rural Development (MDR) via Office Riz Ségou (ORS) and the PDIR-PD2 project management unit
Project Description: Emergency intervention to counter food insecurity by providing climate-resilient inputs, supporting the acquisition of 1,027.14 tons of seeds and 2,234 tons of fertilizers, and assisting national seed policy reforms
Objective: Increase agricultural production and reduce the negative impact of rising food and input prices on the Malian population
Expected outcome: Additional production of 11,145.6 tons of food products, yield increase of 30–50% across targeted crops
Figures of adoption: 35,274 producers targeted, 8,829 hectares cultivated, distribution of 1,027.14 tons of seeds and 2,234 tons of fertilizers
Profiles of adopters: Vulnerable producers including 30% women (10,582), 20% youth (7,054), 10% internally displaced persons (3,527)
Lessons learnt: Leveraging existing execution agencies accelerates startup, efficient procurement systems (advance actions, direct negotiation) are critical, and digitalization ensures transparency and traceability in input distribution

Emergency Food Production Project (Projet de Production Alimentaire d’Urgence - PPAU)

Project funder: African Development Fund (ADF) (Loan and Grant) and the Government of Guinea
Planned Budget: 19.39 million UC (~USD 25.23 million)
Location: Republic of Guinea – national coverage
Planned duration: Nov 2022 – June 2024 (Completion) / Dec 2024 (Closing)
Deployment means: Distribution of certified seeds and fertilizers (30% government subsidy), GAP training, digital platforms (e-Voucher/e-Extension), TAAT technical assistance
Project main implementer: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) via Project Management Unit (UGP) of PATAG-EAJ
Project Description: Emergency operation to mitigate rising input/food prices and boost production of rice, maize, and tubers
Objective: Improve food and nutritional security; increase agricultural production and productivity in intervention zones
Expected outcome: Additional production of 71,429 tons rice, 57,000 tons maize, 12,000 tons cassava; significant yield increases across crops
Figures of adoption: 35,750 direct farmers; 2,000 tons rice seeds, 750 tons maize seeds, 20,000 cassava cuttings distributed; 63,286 ha additional sown area
Profiles of adopters: Smallholder farmers (≥10,750 women – 30%), 1,650 livestock farms, youth entrepreneurs; targeting vulnerable populations
Lessons learnt:
- Constraints: High international input prices, climate vulnerability
- Success factors: Strong existing UGP (PATAG-EAJ), e-Voucher digitalization for transparency, TAAT technical support for rapid multiplication technologies (SAH)

Emergency Food Production Programme in Côte d’Ivoire (2PAU-CI/AEFPF-CI)

Project funder: African Development Bank (AfDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Government of Ivory Coast
Planned Budget: USD 163.3 million (AfDB loan) and USD 73 million (JICA loan)
Location: Ivory Coast – flood-sensitive areas and major agro-ecological zones (semi-arid to sub-humid)
Planned duration: Aug 2022 – Dec 2023
Deployment means: Distribution of certified seeds and fertilizers, Master Trainer/farmer training, demonstration plots, digital platforms (E-Voucher, ICT tools)
Project main implementer: Ministry of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MEMINADER)
Project Description: Emergency response to the global food crisis, providing smallholders with high-quality inputs and advisory services to ensure food sovereignty
Objective: Reduce cereal imports, boost domestic rice, maize, and cassava production, increase agricultural resilience to climate shocks
Expected outcome: 30% increase in food production; targeted yield increases (Rice: 4.5–9 t/ha; Maize: 2.5–6 t/ha)
Figures of adoption: 2,279 tons maize seeds, 3,539 tons rice seeds, 134.4 million cassava cuttings, covering 246,870 hectares
Profiles of adopters: 800,000 smallholder farmers; minimum 30% women; inclusion of youth and vulnerable groups
Lessons learnt: High fertilizer prices and climate risks constrain adoption; weak seed policy frameworks are a bottleneck; success relies on TAAT technologies and strong institutional partnerships (CNRA, ANADER)

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Burundi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Gambia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Guinea	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Mozambique	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Sierra Leone	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

By increasing rice yields, supporting food security and nutrition in regions where rice is a staple.

Goal 13: climate action

By promoting sustainable farming practices that reduce reliance on intensive irrigation, lowering environmental impact.

Goal 5: gender equality

By empowering women farmers, who are often key players in rice cultivation, by providing a crop that is both high-yielding and resource-efficient.

Select the Appropriate Variety: Choose based on your specific growing conditions (lowland or upland) and field characteristics.
Prepare the Field: Ensure thorough ploughing, and levelling, and create bunds if needed for water management.
Planting Options: Direct seeding by broadcasting, drilling, dibbling, or transplanting seedlings from a well-maintained seedbed.
Maintain Proper Spacing: Allow for optimal plant growth and development.
Monitor and Manage Water: Ensure consistent moisture levels, especially during critical growth stages.
Weed Control: Regularly remove weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and space.
Fertilize Appropriately: Apply recommended fertilizers based on soil nutrient levels and variety requirements.
Manage Pests and Diseases: Monitor and take necessary measures for control.
Harvest at Maturity: Harvest when grains are mature and moisture content is 18-22%, using sickles or mechanical harvesters.
Dry and Thresh: Reduce moisture content through drying, then separate grains from stalks through threshing.
Store Properly: Keep harvested rice in well-sealed containers in a cool, dry place to prevent damage from moisture and pests.