SUPPORT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF INLAND SWAMPS FOR RICE-BASED CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS. In Sub-Sahara Africa, most of rice production increases during the last two decades are a result of the expansion of area under cultivation, principally in the upland production systems. Even with this rapid expansion of area under cultivation, total annual growth in rice output is still inferior to growth in demand for rice in several countries. Moreover, there is much concern over this practice due to widespread ecological damage, since much of the expansion is occurring in higher rainfall areas, resulting in a rapid loss of forest area and soil erosion. The 18th and 19th IRC Sessions recommended promotion of the use of productive and sustainable inland valley swamps, with emphasis on water management, to increase rice and other food production and productivity. During the last four years, in collaboration with FAO's Water Resources Development and Management Service (AGLW) and Regional Office for Africa (RAF), the RDP efforts on swamp rice have been concentrated in Africa, aimed at promoting productive and stable production systems as well as substituting vulnerable upland rice slash-and-burnt production systems. The activities have been carried out through: UNDP funded project SIL/89/008 Inland Valley Swamp Development in Moyamba, from 1994 to 1998 UNDP funded project ZAI/92/001 Strengthening of National Rice Programme in Congo, D. R., from 1992 to 1997 Special Programmes for Food Security in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Tanzania. Moreover, the RDP participated in and supported the participation of developing countries in two following regional workshops organized by RAF: Development and Use of Inland Swamps held in Cotonou, Benin from 29 January to 2 February 1996 and Wetland Classification for Agricultural Development held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 3 to 6 December 1997. ACTIVITIES DURING 1999-2001 Following activities were being planned for 1999-2001: Preparation and publication of a book on promising rice varieties for different ecologies in West Africa. Co-operation with the RAF and AGLW in the organization of training workshop on water management for wetland rice production in Africa. Inventory of and dissemination of information on promising rice-based cropping systems practiced by farmers in inland valley swamps in selected countries. BACK TO RICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME