Can System of Rice Intensification Address Food Security in Africa?

Abstract

Rice is one of the most important food crops in the developing world and a staple for more than half of the world’s population. Globally, over 3.5 billion people depend on rice for over 20 per cent of their daily calories. More than 1.5 billion people depend on rice cultivation for livelihoods. Rice is grown in 38 African countries which in 2008 consumed 10 million tons of milled rice. Although Africa accommodates only 13 per cent of the world population, the continent’s consumption is a third of all the rice available on the world market.