From left to right: Mr. Kuleshov (CFC), Mr. Okasayi (Director Crop Resources, MAAIF) and Dr. Nyamutale (SG2000) during the meeting held in Uganda.

Between 27 and 29 September EUCORD organized two Consultative Rice Round Table Meetings in Uganda and Tanzania with financial support from the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC). The meetings, which were hosted by Sasakawa Global 2000 in Uganda and the Netherlands Development Organisation SNV in Tanzania, were attended by representatives from government, research, and development agencies and the private sector.

Objectives of the meetings were to:
1. Review the current state of rice value chains in Tanzania
2. Identify key constraints and opportunities
3. Provide recommendations on how rice value chains can be enhanced

According to the Africa Rice Center (formerly WARDA), Africa only produces 3% of global rice production and is importing USD 5 billion worth of rice yearly. In 2009 Africa imported 9.8 million metric tons of rice which represents one third of the world market and 40% of total needs. Uganda and Tanzania are both net importers of rice and have the intention to double rice production by 2018 and become exporters.

During the Round Table Meeting it became clear that both countries share several common bottlenecks to reach this objective including: 1) lack of farmers’ access to production technologies including quality seed, fertilizer and agro-chemicals; 2) poor access to agricultural credit; 3) lack of appropriate mechanization (both for production and post-harvest activities); 4) limited investment in irrigation; 5) lack of grading standards; and 6) limited private sector investment in large-scale rice processing.

Preliminary recommendations that would apply to both countries:
• Support seed multiplication and marketing of improved rice varieties;
• Capacity building of farmers on rice intensification and post-harvest handling;
• Diffusion of improved rice technologies using a private sector led approach (stockists and use of a rice box);
• Promotion of appropriate labor-saving technologies, e.g. through equipment hiring schemes and conservation tillage;
• Scaling up of proven supply chain models, e.g. nucleus estate out-grower schemes in collaboration with large scale rice processors.

Findings from both meetings will be used for the development of a proposal which will aim to support a market-led, value chain pilot project in the two countries and in synergy with ongoing rice development activities.