AfricaRice Trains Regional Stakeholders on Hybrid Rice Seed Production
Dakar, Senegal – September 30, 2025 : AfricaRice has organized a regional training session on hybrid rice seed production, held from September 22 to 26 under the Reverse Linkage Program, a project financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
The workshop brought together participants from Senegal, Niger, Mauritania, Guinea, and The Gambia, offering hands-on exposure to innovative techniques in the production of hybrid rice seed varieties.
Speaking at the event, Ali Ibrahim, AfricaRice’s Regional Representative in Senegal, emphasized the importance of the initiative in advancing food security across West Africa.
“Rice production cannot be optimized without a proper system,” he explained. “Within this project, we considered it essential to train seed companies in hybrid seed production.”
According to Ibrahim, AfricaRice, in collaboration with the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research, has developed high-performing hybrid seeds that deliver 15 to 30 percent higher yields compared to traditional varieties. He noted that boosting rice productivity is a critical step in helping governments meet their goals of scaling up local production and moving closer to self-sufficiency in food supply.
Participants praised the training, highlighting the practical knowledge and tools gained as valuable assets to strengthen their work in the rice sector. By equipping seed producers with these advanced skills, the program aims to create a ripple effect, improving seed availability, supporting farmers, and ultimately raising rice output across the region.
The regional training forms part of AfricaRice’s broader mandate to support innovation and resilience in African rice systems, while aligning with national and regional strategies to reduce dependence on imported rice.
