Logo
TAAT e-catalog for government
https://taat.africa/gov/technologies/orylux-varieties-aromatic-rice-for-africa
Request information View pitch brochure

ORYLUX varieties: Aromatic Rice for Africa

Local African aromatic rice

This technology is all about growing special types of delicious-smelling rice in Africa. These rice varieties are designed to grow well in African conditions. They taste really good and are in high demand. Right now, not enough of this rice is grown in Africa, so a lot of it has to be imported.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Increased productivity from ORYLUX may lead to higher incomes, enhancing economic stability for families.

The poor: Positive high

Adoption of ORYLUX raises income levels for low-income farmers, contributing to poverty alleviation.

Under 18: No impact

Women: Positive high

Increased income from rice sales can provide women with greater financial autonomy and opportunities for investment in their families or businesses.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Shorter maturity period enables farmers to adapt to unpredictable weather patterns and secure harvests even in challenging climates, contributing to resilience against climate change.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

The improved yields and resilience of these rice varieties enable farmers to maintain production levels despite changing environmental conditions, reducing vulnerability and increasing food security.

Problem

  • Low production of aromatic rice in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and high dependence on imports from Asia.
  • Limited access of farmers to seeds adapted to prevalent growing conditions.
  • Lack of availability of aromatic rice varieties suited to SSA's growing conditions.
  • Need to improve yields, quality, and resistance of rice crops in the region.
  • Insufficient connections between stakeholders in the agricultural value chain for the commercialization of aromatic rice varieties.

Solution

  • Development of aromatic rice varieties specifically tailored to SSA's agroecosystems.
  • Crossbreeding aromatic rice varieties with elite lines to maintain high yields and other beneficial agronomic traits.
  • Utilization of genetic mapping and molecular tools to expedite selection and breeding processes.
  • Dissemination of ORYLUX variety seeds in local markets to increase availability for farmers.
  • Establishment of connections between farmers, food processors, and consumers through virtual market applications to fully capitalize on the added value of aromatic rice.

Key points to design your project

ORYLUX technology is a solution with positive impacts on gender equality, climate change, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It empowers women economically by boosting household income and access to resources, enhances their roles in agriculture, and contributes to climate resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it supports the achievement of SDGs related to poverty, food security, gender equality, and climate action, promoting a sustainable and equitable agricultural future.

To integrate this technology into your project, and create a list of project activities and prerequisites and plan these activities: 

  1. Breeders, farmers and food processors identify ORYLUX varieties that match agronomic conditions and consumer preferences in growing areas, 

  2. Awareness-raising with value chain actors about the additional incomes that can be generated by cultivating premium fragrant rice, and 

  3. Create equitable access to ORYLUX seed material and financial support for local suppliers and smallholder farmers that enable investments.

 

Considering the technology cost of USD 1.3 per kilogram and a requirement of 10 - 12 kg rice seed per hectare, estimate the quantity of seeds needed for your project. 

As the technology is available in Nigeria and Senegal, include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant. 

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.)

For better optimization of the improved maize variety, it is recommended to associate this technology with Deep urea placement (nitrogen management), Engineered irrigation surface (water lifting), Foliar nutrient addition, Motorized weeders

To implement the technology in your country, you could collaborate with agricultural development institutes and seed multiplication companies.

Consider the specicifity of each ORYLUX varieites: 

Varieties Agro-ecology Stade of maturity Yield kgha-1 Nutritious traits
ORYLUX 1 Lowland - Irrigated 120 8000 Non-sticky, Aromatic 
ORYLUX 2 Lowland - Irrigated 123 6000 Non-sticky, Aromatic 
ORYLUX 3 Lowland - Irrigated 120 6300 Non-sticky, Aromatic 
ORYLUX 4 Lowland - Irrigated 120 6400 Non-sticky, Aromatic 
ORYLUX 5 Lowland - Irrigated 110 9000 Non-sticky, Aromatic 
ORYLUX 6 Lowland - Irrigated 100 6500 Non-sticky, Aromatic 

10—12 Kg per Ha

Seed rate

51 USD per Ha

Labour costs for planting

105 USD per Ha

Fertilizer inputs

200 USD per Ha

Harvesting and winnowing of grain

IP

Unknown

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.

Read more about scaling readiness ›

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 7 out of 9

Semi-controlled environment: prototype

Level of use 7 out of 9

Common use by projects NOT connected to technology provider

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
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country Testing ongoing Tested Adopted
Nigeria No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Senegal 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.

Sustainable Development Goal 2: zero hunger
Goal 2: zero hunger

By increasing rice yields and quality, ensuring that more communities have access to nutritious food.

Sustainable Development Goal 8: decent work and economic growth
Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

By increasing farmers' incomes through higher yields and access to premium markets, ORYLUX contributes to economic growth and job creation within local agricultural sectors.

Sustainable Development Goal 13: climate action
Goal 13: climate action

By supporting adaptation to climate change, enabling farmers to continue producing food under changing environmental conditions

ORYLUX varieties are cultivated in the same way as any type of rice.

  1. Manually or mechanically planted by sowing seed at the planting densities of 10 - 12 kg rice seed per ha under the System for Rice Intensification or 50 kg/ha under non-SRI conditions. 
  2. Mineral fertilizer and animal manure applied at recommended dosage.
  3. Soil water contents are managed through construction of low embankments around divides paddy fields, and weed control is through manual removal, mulching and chemical agents. 

Last updated on 10 April 2026