Gabon introduces five new rice varieties to boost local production, reduce imports

GABON –   The Gabonese National Program for Selection and Varietal Improvement-Seed Production (PNSAV-PS) has successfully developed five new rice varieties tailored to Gabon’s unique soil conditions promising to enhance food security and reduce the economic burden of rice imports.

This milestone was achieved through a collaborative effort with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), AfricaRice, and Kafaci, a South Korean intergovernmental organization.

Launched in 2018, the PNSAV-PS initiative has focused on selecting rice varieties capable of thriving in Gabon’s diverse agricultural landscapes. The research and development phase took place in Kougouleu, a village located approximately fifty kilometers from Libreville.

Speaking during the launch, Dr. Yonelle Déa Moukoumbi, the project leader, revealed that the five non-fragrant but high-quality varieties are ready for approval and registration in Gabon’s first national catalog of rice varieties.

“These varieties were developed using a genetic background from South Korea, where initial crosses were made. We received the material and followed research protocols to identify seeds that adapt well to Gabonese soils,” she noted.

The seven-year effort aims to revitalize rice production in Gabon and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported rice.

According to the Gabonese Shippers’ Council, Gabon imported more than 95,286 tonnes of rice worth over 41 billion FCFA (approximately US$70 million) in 2023.

In addition to the non-fragrant varieties, the project has also introduced five fragrant varieties, focusing on premium types such as Super Basmati and Basmati.

“Next, we will proceed with the actual production by distributing these seeds to various producers,” Dr. Moukoumbi added.

Despite some skepticism due to the failure of a similar initiative in the past, Dr. Moukoumbi remains optimistic. She assures that the project will succeed with the necessary financial support.

This comes at a time when The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that African rice consumption is projected to reach 34.9 million tonnes of milled rice by 2025.

However, current African rice production cannot satisfy the consumer demand in quantity and quality, with the gap filled by imports, predominantly of Asian origin, to approximately USD 5.5 billion annually.

According to FAO, the rice sector represents a pathway out of poverty in Africa, as rice availability and prices have become major determinants of the welfare of the poorest sections of African consumers. 

This means that the continent needs to strengthen the local rice value chains to achieve better production, nutrition, an environment, and a better life in the target countries. This is where public–private partnerships (PPP) come in play. 

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