Developing efficient and inclusive rice value chains in Kenya, Senegal and the United Republic of Tanzania
The importance of rice in sub-Saharan Africa has grown in recent years. It is the third largest source of dietary energy in Africa as a whole, and the number one source of dietary energy in West Africa. Its consumption is increasing faster than any other staple. The 2007/2008 global food crisis led to the creation of the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD), an initiative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). Doubling rice production in Africa by 2018 was set as the primary goal of the CARD.
Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa increased by 3.2 percent from 2000 to 2007, and by 8.4 percent from 2007 to 2012. Despite this growth, production is unable to keep up with demand, and imports are relied upon to bridge this gap. The project sought to identify and address bottlenecks in the middle segments of the rice value chains, where rice millers add value, in three selected CARD countries: Kenya, Senegal, and the United Republic of Tanzania. This was done through a series of food systems analyses of milling operations to identify constraints related to nutrition, employment generation, access to finance, farmer-miller market linkages and food safety.
What did the project do
The project began with a stocktaking of the trends, opportunities and constraints in rice value chains in certain CARD countries in Africa. This included an analysis of the trends in rice production and commercialization, an identification of where bottlenecks occur and the causes of food loss on the rice value chain. A comparative analysis of business models along the rice value chain was also carried out. The relevance for value addition, food loss, nutrition, responsible investment and inclusive business models was taken into consideration. After the data was analysed, case studies were conducted, and a workshop on the results was held.
The aim of this analysis was to provide guidance for public and private sector decision-making, and to contribute to SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). A cross-sectoral regional conference was convened to share findings with stakeholders, including AfricaRice, the CARD secretariat, JICA, Ministries of Agriculture and Trade and private sector actors, as well as stakeholders from research institutions, and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) from 11 African countries. The findings will support the reorientation of CARD inputs to National Rice Development Strategies (NRDS) to sufficiently leverage the role of small and medium-sized millers in the transformation of rural food systems. The knowledge sharing and exchange that was facilitated by the final workshop contributed to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Impact
The project contributed to a more modern and profitable agricultural sector through supporting the development of more efficient and inclusive rice value chains in the selected CARD countries. This was achieved by analysingand addressing the knowledge gap in the middle segment of the rice sector, contributing to responsible investment, and emphasizing the role of small and medium-sized millers in transforming rural food systems in the targeted countries.
Activities
- An analysis regarding the trends, challenges and opportunities in selected CARD countries was conducted.
- Kenya, Senegal and the United Republic of Tanzania were chosen as target countries for the project from the above-mentioned analysis because of their shared experiences with issues in the middle segment of the rice value chain, as well as their potential for market growth and the openness on the part of their governments.
- A methodology was developed for the project in conjunction with FAO nutrition, rural market transformation, finance, food safety and decent rural employment units.
- Appraisals of the business and investment enabling environment were carried out in each country.
- The project was introduced to relevant ministries in Kenya, Senegal and the United Republic of Tanzania.
- Rice production sites and small and medium-sized milling companies were identified for the collection of data.
- Case studies, country studies and cross-country analyses based on the findings from Kenya, Senegal and the United Republic of Tanzania were developed and finalized.
- A workshop entitled “Leveraging small and medium rice millers for rural transformation and investment in the rice sector in Africa” was held in Dar esSalaam in the United Republic of Tanzania for nine countries in the region, in order to disseminate the results of the research.
- The publications created during the project were launched.