Gabon has taken a crucial step in its quest for food self-sufficiency with the development of new rice varieties adapted to its soils. These are five new rice varieties that were presented on July 24, 2024 during the launch of the “Made in Gabon” rice tasting days.
« We have 5 non-fragrant varieties of good quality that are ready for approval. Subsequently, we will enter into the actual production with the distribution of these seeds to the different producers,” explains Dr. Yonelle Déa Moukoumb Dea, coordinator of the National Program for Selection and Varietal Improvement – Seed Production (PNSAV-PS) who led this project. In addition to these five varieties, “5 other fragrant varieties have been introduced. And we have focused on super Basmati and Basmati which are good quality fragrant rices “, continues Dr. Yonelle Moukoumbi Dea.
Developed with “ a genetic background from South Korea “, these new varieties were tested in Kougouleu, a village located about 55 km from Libreville. And the results obtained after seven years of work are satisfactory according to the PNSAV-PS. This is why Dr. Yonelle Moukoumbi Dea is optimistic about the success of the project, emphasizing the importance for these varieties to be specifically adapted to Gabonese soils and climate. However, she insists on the importance of financial support from the State to guarantee the sustainability of the initiative. The prospects include the extension of production, the training of Gabonese in rice cultivation, and the creation of a national catalog of rice varieties.
Through this program, Gabon wants to reduce its dependence on imports of this staple food. According to data from the Gabonese Shippers’ Council, Gabon imported more than 95,286 tons of rice per year in 2023, representing an expenditure of more than 41 billion FCFA.
The PNSAV-PS project, initiated in 2018, benefits from the support of various international organizations such as Kafaci (South Korean intergovernmental organization), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and AfricaRise… These collaborations have made it possible to overcome technical challenges.
Martine Ondo
2024-07-25 08:17:45
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