This chapter provides an overview of crop and weed management practices currently available in Africa. The need for additional options to manage weeds to augment the limited range currently available to rice farmers in Africa is also discussed.

This chapter presents a list of priorities for action to boost the rice sector in Africa in a sustainable and equitable manner. These include enhancing rice quality and marketing; promoting investment in improved processing technologies; improving market knowledge, branding and policy sequencing;...

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the rice sector in Africa and the ongoing rice research and development activities in the region. Specific topics are classified under the following headings: overview of rice in Africa (chapters 1-4), rice genetic diversity and improvement (chapters...

This chapter provides an overview of rice production systems in Africa and their distribution as a function of spatial variability of climate (agroecological zones) and soils on the continent. The current status of knowledge with respect to yield gaps and disease epidemics is discussed, and the...

This chapter provides an overview of rice diseases identified in Africa and their importance, with emphasis on rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae [Magnaporthe grisea]), rice yellow mottle disease (rice yellow mottle virus), and bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae). The potential for...

This chapter discusses pre- and postharvest insect pests in rice and reviews approaches to reduce quantitative and qualitative losses incurred along the rice value chain in the context of a rapidly growing demand for rice in Africa South of Sahara and the increased risk of pest outbreaks due to...

This chapter reviews the available evidence of bird damage to rice in Africa and the bird species involved. Some commonly used measures to control these bird pests are also discussed.

This chapter presents a general overview of the quality of soil resources and fertilizer use in rice production areas in Africa. Innovations to increase rice productivity through improved nutrient use are discussed for production systems at different stages of intensification in sub-Saharan Africa, ...

This chapter provides an overview of the water productivity of irrigated rice at field and scheme levels in Africa, and summarizes studies on the assessment of water productivity at field and scheme levels for irrigated rice in Senegal and Mali. Recommendations for improving the productive use of...

This chapter focuses on how inland valleys can be efficiently and sustainably used to improve rice production in African countries, such as Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.