24 October 2013 CABI took part in the 3rd Africa Rice Congress in Cameroons capital Yaoundé on 21-24 October 2013, an event focused on improving agricultural knowledge and farmer livelihoods in Africa. The congress brought together participants from over 60 countries, including 36 African countries.
The theme of this years congress was Rice Science for Food Security through Smallholder and Agri-business Development in Africa. As a scientific publisher, CABI launched a new book at the event, Realising Africas Rice challenge – a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art research and recommendations for dealing with future rice production challenges in Africa.
CABI showcased its substantial work supporting Africas rice sector, focusing on development projects to increase the adoption of NERICA rice in South Sudan and Uganda. New Rice for Africa (NERICA) is a cultivar of rice developed by the Africa Rice Center to improve the yield of African rice varieties.
The Minister for Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine Tchuinte, visited CABIs exhibition stand, as did Professor Emmanuel Owusu-Bennoah, former Africa Rice Centre board member and Director General of the Ghanaian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
CABIs Regional Coordinator, West Africa Centre, Victor Clottey, was interviewed by Regards Scientifique the Cameroon Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovations radio station, as well as TV station, CANAL 2.
Mr Clottey commented that, Improving smallholder productivity and access to markets are important to food security. Through our Knowledge Management products such as the Crop Protection, Invasive Species Compendia, and initiatives to promote effective trade, CABI is arming policymakers, researchers and smallholders with tools and capacities to improve African food and nutrition systems.