Overcoming Production and Environmental Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Rice (Oryza sativa) Sector: A Sustainable Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71148/tjoc/v1i2.1Keywords:
High-yield seed varieties, Mechanization and irrigation, Biochar and soil fertility, Climate-resilient farming, Public-private partnershipsAbstract
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) holds vast, untapped potential for rice production, crucial for achieving food self-sufficiency, reducing import dependency, and fostering economic resilience. This potential can be realised through the adoption of high-yielding seed varieties, modern mechanisation, and efficient irrigation systems. Simultaneously, improving post-harvest handling, storage, and processing is essential to minimise losses and ensure a consistent rice supply to meet rising demand. Equally important is facilitating access to finance, agricultural insurance, and supportive policy frameworks. These mechanisms are vital for risk mitigation, enhancing farmer productivity, and attracting investment into the rice value chain. Public-private partnerships play a central role in scaling innovations, developing infrastructure, and enabling technology transfer across borders. However, environmental and agronomic constraints such as soil nutrient depletion, water stress, pesticide misuse, and methane emissions continue to hinder sustainable production. Integrating climate-resilient practices, such as the use of biochar, can improve soil fertility by supplying key nutrients such as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, S, Si and others, to enhance water retention, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, international organisations, private investors, NGOs, and local communities is essential for transforming the rice sector. When all actors align efforts across the entire value chain from input supply and production to processing and market access, the region can achieve greater food security, improved farmer livelihoods, and inclusive economic growth. With sustained collaboration and climate-smart strategies, SSA can unlock its full rice production potential and drive long-term agricultural transformation.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Uzoamaka N. NGWOKE, Joan ODUWARE, Hauwau YUSUF, Akinyera Akinleye OMOWONUOLA, Debora Efoise ERO-OMOGHE, Gregory E. ONAIWU, Beckley IKHAJIAGBE (Author)
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