1) The document summarizes experiences from 2005-2011 in developing the rice value chain in Fogera Pilot Learning Woredas in Ethiopia through the IPMS project. 2) Key interventions included improving agronomic practices for floodplain rice, introducing new upland rice varieties and seed multiplication systems, and supporting the development of over 120 rice processors in local towns and 30 in rural areas. 3) Results showed increases in rice production area for both lowland and upland systems, the establishment of farmer-to-farmer seed supply systems, and declines in white rice retail prices as the market developed.

1. Rice value chain development 2005–2011:
IPMS experiences in Fogera Pilot Learning
Woredas
Dirk Hoekstra, IPMS Project Manager
CIDA Stakeholder Workshop, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 2 May 2012

2. Main actors/partners involved
 Fogera rice farmers
 Rice traders/processors
 Office of Agriculture of Fogera (various
departments)
 Adet Agricultural Research Centre
 SG 2000
 IPMS

3. Value chain process followed
 Rapid assessment on Fogera farming systems
 Lowland flood rice system
 Upland system
 Identification of potential marketable commodities
 Vegetables, rice, chickpeas, niger seed, pepper
 Dairy, beef, fish
 Rapid assessment commodity value chain
 Production, input supply, processing marketing
 Support services
 Identification of potential value chain
interventions by commodity

4. Farming systems in Fogera, 2005

5. Methodology/tools used
 Review secondary data/GIS maps
 Field visits
 Focus group discussions with producers
 Interviews with key value chain actors
(producers, input suppliers, processors and
traders) and support services
(extension, research)
 Stakeholder meeting to review and verify results

6. Main diagnosed findings of the rice
commodity
 In flood system
 About 5,500 ha grown under flood conditions during
the rainy season
 Reduced yield due to weed problems
 Farmer to farmer seed supply system exists
 Rice processed into flour (enjera making) and white
rice (outside the district)
 Breakage of rice during processing
 In upland system
 Desire to include rice as their marketable commodity
in the cropping pattern

7. Interventions
 Knowledge management and capacity development
for rice value chain development
 Flood plain system
 Improved agronomic practices – especially weeding
(hand and herbicide)
 Harvesting time – effecting breakage
 Rice processing – sieves, parboiling, dish preparations
 Upland system
 Introduce new varieties
 Introduce seed multiplication

8. Knowledge management & capacity
development
• EAP – web based source of
information (www.eap.gov.et)
• Woreda knowledge centers- to
increase access and sharing of
knowledge
• Use of MSc students to increase
knowledge generation
• Training followed by field days
with partner institutions
• Creation of platforms of value
chain actors to share
knowledge

9. Upland seed multiplication
 Testing upland
varieties in 2006
 Followed by on farm
multiplication
 Development of seed
supply system

10. Yield data and variety testing, 2006
No. Variety Yield (Q/ha)
1 NERICA – 4 10 – 52
2 NERICA– 3 6 – 28
3 Superica – 1 28
Note: X-Jigna (upland) 40 qt

11. Nerica Seed Production
1800
1600
1400
Production in qt
1200
1000
800 Seed Production
600
400
200
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year

12. Sale of seed in 2011 (in qt)
Sold, 104
Farmer to
Farmer, 1540

13. Rice weed control
The project tested Roundup with 25
farmers
Was found cost effective by farmers
(environment)
Now, more emphasis on manual
weeding which has positive effect
on employment
Farmers demonstrating on application of round up

14. Rice straw used for livestock feed

15. Rice straw treatment with urea for
livestock feed

16. Rice processors
 2006 – 09 processors –
mostly in town
 2011- over 120 in town
and 30 in rural areas

17. Progress against baseline
Baseline 2004/05 2011 achievement
X-Jigna (ha) NERICA-4 (ha) X-Jigna (ha) NERICA-4 (ha)
Agro-ecology Lowland Upland Lowland Upland
Upland kebele
≥ 1900masl - 0 6,058 48.605
Lowland Kebele
‹ 1900masl 5,409 0 9,435 6.185
Total 5,409 0 15,493 54.79

18. White rice retail price/kg from 2005 – 2011 during peak supply
and short supply
12
10
8
Price/Kg
6 Peak supply (Feb. –
Apr.)
4 Short supply (Aug. –
Nov.)
2
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year

19. Future market of rice and by-products
 Rice flour produced for rural markets
 Relatively low quality processing
 Processing partly based on fee, partly on paddy sale
 X-Jigna suitable variety
 White rice produced for urban market
 Higher quality processing
 Processing mostly based on purchase of paddy rice
 Processing results in commercial by products for
livestock feed (bran)

20. Current price
Items Unit Unit price
Paddy Rice Ton 8,500
White rice Ton 11,400 -12,500
Rice bran +husk Ton 1,200

21. NERICA-4 – white rice variety

22. Maize, finger millet, and rice mixture for
making flour for Enjera

23. Rice grain loading for Addis market

24. Rice Bran and Rice husk (chaff) loading
for Addis market

25. Relevant lessons for value chain
supporters
 Value chain development requires attention to
different parts of the value chain in and over time
 Involvement of private sector in marketing and
processing will often take place spontaneously
 Private sector can be supported with new knowledge
on market opportunities and processing
requirements
 Continuous engagement is needed – post harvest
management, processing

26. Rice case study on the IPMS website

27. Good luck in your value chain
development work