By Jimoh Babatunde with agency reports

Noting that lack of mechanizationis undermining the productivity and competitiveness of rice in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), representatives of rice stakeholders in the region met recently to develop a roadmap for sustainable mechanization of the rice sector.

The stakeholders emphasized that small equipment, such as 2-wheel tractors, row seeders, mechanical threshers, small combine harvesters and small mills need to be tested, and where possible manufactured locally.

Harvesting Rice

National governments were urged to consult research organisations when importing machinery to ensure that in addition to being effective and durable, the technology is well-adapted to local rice-growing conditions and can be serviced and repaired locally.

“According to conservative estimates based on recent surveys in 18 countries in SSA, cutting by half the on-farm post-harvest losses through the use of improved technologies would lead to a saving of 0.9 million tons of milled rice,” said Dr. Marco Wopereis, Deputy Director General for Research, Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), which hosted the meeting at its research station in St. Louis, Senegal.

“The amount of rice saved is equivalent to nearly 17 per cent of rice imports into the region and has a real value of $ 410 million in 2011. This can help lift about 2.8 million persons in rice farming households out of poverty,” Dr. Wopereis explained.

Promising technologies for high labor-intensive activities, such as land preparation, seeding, weeding, harvesting, and processing of rice and sustainable approaches for their introduction, testing and out_scaling were presented at the meeting.

The ASI thresher-cleaner, which has been adapted and introduced by AfricaRice in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), national extension services and local manufacturers in several countries of the region, was cited as a successful example.

ASI has received high recognition in the region, including the Senegal Presidential Award and praises from the Chad Government.

The participants agreed that the key factors for a sustainable mechanization program include not only appropriate technologies but also sound business principles, local ownership, dealer support, government backing and local training in the use and maintenance of equipment.