AfricaRice, AATF sign five-year deal to boost rice production across Africa

Africa’s rising appetite for rice has increased pressure on governments, researchers and agricultural organisations to find new ways to improve local production and reduce reliance on imports. 

To address the growing supply gap, AfricaRice and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding access to agricultural technologies and improving rice farming across the continent. 

The partnership brings together AfricaRice’s research capabilities in rice breeding and production with AATF’s experience in helping farmers adopt agricultural technologies across 32 African countries. 

The agreement focuses on improving farmers’ access to better seed varieties, modern equipment, mechanization solutions and technical support as Africa works to strengthen its rice value chain and improve food security.

Partnership targets higher yields and better farming tools 

Africa continues to produce less rice than it consumes, forcing many countries to depend on imports from major suppliers such as India, Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan. 

Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that Africa’s average rice yield remained below 2 tonnes per hectare in 2025, compared with a global average of almost 3 tonnes per hectare. 

Under the agreement, AfricaRice and AATF will work to promote improved farming technologies, including mechanized tools that can help reduce labour challenges, improve harvesting and strengthen rice processing. 

“Through this partnership, we will collaborate with the AATF to develop and promote mechanized tools and agricultural equipment to reduce the arduousness of work in rice farming, improve the efficiency of processing and strengthen the quality of locally produced rice,” said Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, Director General of AfricaRice.

Africa faces widening rice supply gap 

Between 2023 and 2025, Africa consumed an average of 45.3 million tonnes of rice annually while producing about 27.6 million tonnes, highlighting the continent’s dependence on imported supplies. 

The OECD and FAO expect rice consumption in Africa to continue increasing over the next decade, supported by population growth and changing diets.

Average rice consumption per person is projected to rise from 26 kilograms between 2023 and 2025 to 29.6 kilograms by 2035. 

Experts say improving production will depend on stronger access to quality seeds, financing, rural infrastructure and farmer training.

Higher yields, rather than simply expanding farmland, are expected to play a major role in meeting future food demand.

AfricaRice and AATF push technology adoption among farmers 

The partnership reflects wider efforts across Africa to modernize agriculture and help smallholder farmers gain access to tools that can improve productivity and incomes. 

AfricaRice is a pan-African research organisation focused on developing improved rice varieties, strengthening farming systems and supporting food security.

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) works with governments, research institutions and private sector partners to help farmers access agricultural innovations across Africa. 

The two organisations said the five-year agreement will focus on ensuring that research and technology reach farmers faster, helping strengthen local rice production and reduce the continent’s reliance on imports.