Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice FEATURE 08/20/2010

Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice

FEATURE 08/20/2010 ATAKPAMEY — One by one, Ali Kassim pulls out the weeds that have grown in his rice paddy. It’s surprisingly rare in Africa, but he is cultivating African rice — once close to extinction after it was pushed aside centuries ago for a higher-yield imported Asian variety. Researchers hope to see more and more farmers like Kassim, who is 32 and among about 100 persons in Togo’s central Atakpamey region to take part in an experimental programme led by the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), based in neighboring Benin. In the small west African country, experts are seeking to change the farming habits of a whole continent by reintroducing African rice, or Oryza glaberrima, in the hope of scaling down food crises..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com6.html

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