NERICA rice varieties were developed through crosses between African rice (Oryza glaberrima) and Asian rice (Oryza sativa) to combine the best traits of both parents. They have been widely adopted in many West and Central African countries due to their higher yields compared to traditional varieties and ability to thrive in harsh environments. The document discusses how NERICA is used, its limitations, who uses it, where it is used, why farmers use it, and assesses the potential economic benefits of further scaling up NERICA adoption, particularly in Senegal. Modeling estimates that increased adoption could result in $195 million to $650 million in increased economic benefits for the regions of Casamance and South S

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TechnologyBrief
NERICA Rice Varieties
Kodjo Kondo (CORAF/WECARD; k.kondo@coraf.org)
Cindy Cox (IFPRI; c.cox@cgiar.org)
Ulrike Wood-Sichra (IFPRI; u.wood-sichra@cgiar.org)
LiangzhiYou (IFPRI; l.you@cgiar.org)
Jawoo Koo (IFPRI; j.koo@cgiar.org)
New Rice for Africa (NERICA) refers to a group of modern rice
varieties developed from interspecific crosses between Africa
rice (O. glaberrima) and Asia rice (O. sativa), a technique
originated by crop breeders at the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice).
NERICA varieties combine the best traits of both parents. These
include high yield potential from the Asian parent and the ability
to thrive in harsh environments from the African parent. During
the period 2000 – 2006, AfricaRice released the original 18
upland and 60 lowland NERICA rice varieties. NEARICAs are
generated through conventional breeding and are not, therefore,
considered genetically modified organisms, although advances in
biotechnology allow breeders to ‘rescue’ offspring from crosses
that are otherwise difficult between two closely related species, nor are they considered
‘hybrids’ where genetic material (yield) erodes rapidly after each generation of seed.
HOW IS NERICA USED?
In general, farmers grow NERICA rice like traditional rice varieties, either in upland or lowland
ecologies, although the growing duration is shorter, and may integrate the technology into existing
farming practices, such as in rotation or intercropped with other varieties and crops. Compared to
traditional rice varieties, NERICAs have greater yield potential and respond strongly to the use of
inputs such as fertilizers. As with any rice system, considerations of land selection and preparation,
cropping calendar, planting depth and density, weed management, and best-practices in soil fertility
and pest control are all vital to optimize yields and depend on local conditions and practices.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF NERICA?
Research has suggested that a positive effect of NERICA can only be realized when its adoption is
combined with good soil fertility management practices, such as through the use of appropriate crop
rotations. NERICAvarieties planted in poorer soils that are limited in essential nutrients may require
the application of (expensive) chemical fertilizers to substantially boost yields over traditional rice
Figure 1 Packaging of NERICA rice

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varieties. Varieties may not always be well suitable for farmers’ needs, cultural or ceremonial
preferences, and conditions. Moreover, ineffective NERICA dissemination programs, such as
shortages of NERICAseeds and ineffective extension services, constrain its adoption.
WHO USES NERICA?
The technology is targetedto smallholder farmers who depend on rice for food security in the rice-
growing regions of SSA. Many of these growers are women. NERICAs rely on a process of
dissemination at the supply side of the value chain. Seed may be supplied by rice farmers as part of a
community-based seed production system in cooperation with certain NGOs and government
extension. NERICAs may also rely on other inputs at the supply side, such as chemical fertilizers. Like
all rice varieties, NERICArice requires proper post-harvest handling to avoid losses and functioning
markets in cases where production surpasses consumption needs of the farm household.
Farmers may decide to adopt the technology where rice cultivation is suitable and consumption
patterns are high. A largeportion of these famers arewomen. Major NERICA uptake has been
promoted through participatory variety selection in which farmers select varieties based on their
preferences. However, farmers who do not have access to NERICA seed and effective extension
services, chemical fertilizers, or knowledge of good soil fertility practices areless likely to adopt
NERICA varieties. As a result, research suggests they are missing such benefits as increases in per
capita income and better food security.
WHERE IS NERICA USED?
NERICA rice varieties have been adopted in many countries along the rice belt of West and Central
Africa and in East Africa. The first NERICA varieties were introduced to sub-Saharan Africa in 1996
and varietaltesting in Senegal began in 2006. The original 18 NERICA varieties were adapted to
upland rice ecology in SSA where smallholder farmers lack the means to irrigate or apply chemical
fertilizers. Later, 60 lowland NERICAvarieties (NERICA-L) were developed and introduced to farmers,
adapted for both rain-fed and irrigatedlowlands ecologies.
In Senegal, approximately 90,000 hectares areunder rice cultivation, with most in lowland ecologies.
Rice production in Senegal focuses on irrigated fields in the Senegal River Valley near the
Mauritanian border. In the south, however, rice farmers have relied on rainfed agricultureand
traditional paddies. NERICA adoption gives farmers in the south access to high yielding varieties and
broadens the vast upland fields to intensified rice production without investing in irrigation
infrastructure. In 2010 USAID launched a project introducing NERICA varieties to farmers in the
southern region of Senegal.
The technology is suitable for rainfed upland and lowland ecologies where rice cultivation is suitable
but low-yielding varieties areconstraining food security goals. In Senegal, farmers in the southern
region outside the Senegal River Valley would likely benefit most from NERICA adoption. In 2005, the
national rice varietal release committee in Senegal officially released ‘Sahel’ varieties for use by
irrigated rice farmers in the Senegal River Valley. They have been widely adopted by farmers in the
region. The technology is a good fit for the intensification of rice, and is particularly valuable for
broadening production potential in rainfed upland ecologies, as well as the south region of Senegal.

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WHY IS NERICA USED?
NERICAs provide smallholder farmers in the rice growing regions of SSA access to high-yielding rice
varieties that outperform or supplement traditional and culturally-important rice varieties. NERICAs
can yield four times the amount of rice per hectarecompared to traditional varieties and have a
shorter growth cycle. Several varieties possess early vigor during the vegetative growth phase which
may help compete against weeds. A number of them are resistant to drought and African pests and
diseases, such as rice blast, rice stemborers and termites. NERICAs also have higher protein content
and amino acid balance than most imported rice varieties.
In places like West Africa where NERICAs have been widely adopted, research suggests lessening
dependency on rice imports and greater food security among rice growing households. In Senegal
rice is a staple crop and it requires more water than other traditional grains such as millet and
sorghum. Because of this, most rice production focuses on the irrigatedfields in the Senegal River
Valley near the Mauritanian border. In the south, farmers have relied on rain for irrigation or planted
rice in lowlands similar to irrigated paddy. NERICAadoption in the south of Senegal increases
production potential and rice diversity in the region, particularity in upland ecologies.
Some stakeholders worry that NERICAs will cause the displacement of traditional rice varieties,
thereby annihilating a rich pool of traditional, cultural, and time-tested genetic resources.
Additionally, farmers may not realize the full potential of NERICA rice if best practices and good soil
management are not adopted alongside.
According to USAID, NERICA rice gives farmers in the south of Senegal “a chance to sharply increase
their traditional lowland yields. More importantly, NERICAopens the vast upland fields to high-
yielding rice production without investing in irrigation infrastructure.”
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SCALING-UP NERICA ADOPTION IN SENEGAL?
NERICAs have already been widely adopted by farmers in the rice growing regions of SSA and
represent an arguable example of a success story. They are highly suitable for the intensification of
rice, and particularly valuable for broadening production potential in rainfed upland ecologies,
particularity in the south of Senegal where irrigation waters from the Senegal River do not penetrate.
Using IFPRI’sDynamic Research Evaluation for Management (DREAM) model, CORAF assessed the
potential economic benefit of scaling-up adoption of NERICA in Casamance and South Sine Saloum
regions. Parameterizedusing the rice production statistics data in Senegal and field-observed NERICA
performance data, the model quantified the potential economy-wide profitability of NERICA
adoption in the regions until 2025. Nine scenarios of potential adoption and performance levels were
developed, based on the stakeholder consultations and desktop studies (Figure 2). In the preliminary
analysis, the model estimated that the overall Net Present Value (NPV) of scaling-up NERICA in the
regions will range from 195 million USD (low adoption, low performance) to 650 million USD (high
adoption, high performance).

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Figure 2 Ex-ante economic benefit of scaling-up adoption of NERICA in Casamance and South Sine Saloum Regions, estimated in
Net Present Value (000USD). K-Shift (%): 100 (low), 200 (medium), 300 (high). Adoption (%): 40 (low), 80 (medium), 95 (high).
LEARN MORE ABOUT NERICA
 Diagne A (2006) Diffusionandadoptionof NERICA rice varietiesinCôte d’Ivoire.The Developing
Economies,44, 208–231.
 KijimaY,SserunkuumaD,OtsukaK (2006) How revolutionaryisthe “NERICA revolution”?Evidence
fromUganda. The DevelopingEconomies,44,252–267.
 LinaresOF (2002) Africanrice (Oryzaglaberrima):Historyandfuture potential.Proceedingsof the
National Academyof Sciences,99,16360–16365.
 NguezetP,Diagne A (2011) Impactof improvedrice technology(NERICA varieties) onincome and
poverty amongrice farminghouseholdsinNigeria:alocal average treatmenteffect(.Quarterly
Journal of International Agriculture,50,267.
 SomadoEA, Guei RG, KeyaSO(2008) NERICA:The new rice for Africa–acompendium.AfricaRice
Center(WARDA),10-14 pp.