South Africa’s dependence on imported rice could one day become a thing of the past. Researchers at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) are developing upland rice varieties that can thrive under local conditions, offering farmers a profitable new crop while strengthening the country’s food security.
By Anelisa Gusha of the ARC-Small Grain Institute
As South Africa continues to explore sustainable solutions for food security, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and its partners are turning their attention to an unexpected contender: rice.
The ARC-Small Grain Institute has begun evaluating rice as part of its new crop research portfolio, with intensified efforts in recent years to establish and develop upland rice suited to local conditions.
Unlike traditional paddy rice, which requires large volumes of water, these cultivars are being tested for their ability to thrive in South Africa’s diverse soils and increasingly water-scarce climate, potentially laying the foundation for a future domestic rice value chain.
Developing rice for South African conditions
At the heart of this initiative is the ARC-Small Grain Institute Campus, where Professor Toi Tsilo and Timmy Baloyi, together with partners within the agricultural sector, academia and the rice value chain, are hard at work establishing the development and production of upland rice cultivars for adoption in South Africa.
This is one of the major projects at the ARC-Small Grain Institute strategically aimed at shaping the agricultural sector to provide more opportunities for economic growth within the rice value chain where farmers can participate.
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A collaborative national effort
The upland rice project in South Africa targets and participates with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the Department of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Land Bank, farmers, farmer associations, universities, seed companies, mechanisation companies, and current rice value chain stakeholders such as importers and regulators, as well as international rice organisations.
The positive impact of this collaborative effort over the years is evident. Rice production may be deemed feasible in South Africa, while prospective adaptable rice accessions for production and development are being identified with endless opportunities to address gaps within the rice value chain.
Promising results from field trials
A wide range of rice accessions acquired from an international rice organisation were evaluated across multiple grain production areas in South Africa for adaptation, and a number of accessions displayed great potential for adaptation and further improvement across South Africa’s diverse soils and climate.
By focusing on the development of low-input, high-yielding crops, the ARC and its collaborators hope to establish profitable crop production alternatives to add to the annual crop production cycle and portfolio of South African farmers.
And as rice consumption continues to rise locally, producing more at home could significantly reduce the cost of imports while creating more jobs.
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Designed for local farming systems
Baloyi said this approach aligns with traditional crop production methods, ensuring farmers do not have to reinvent the wheel.
“The South African grain production system is currently carried out under upland conditions where grain production relies on seasonal rainfall and irrigation in other areas; upland rice production will conform to the traditional grain production practices that farmers are currently deploying rather than reinventing the wheel.”
He said the goal behind the multi-million-rand project is to contribute to needs-driven research that promotes self-sufficiency in rice production as demand continues to grow, while helping South Africa mitigate future political or trade-related challenges associated with importing rice.
“The response to South Africa’s needs is in the development of climate-resilient, low-input-requirement crops that are drought tolerant, high yielding and profitable to address the gap within the rice value chain and self-reliance on rice imports in a country that has a high demand for rice.”
The rice adaptation and development strategy is designed to work with limited rainfall and irrigation only during critical growth stages, allowing rice to grow well under varying weather conditions.
“The project is structured in a way that it can identify and develop rice genotypes that can be produced with minimal rainfall and supplementary irrigation at critical growth stages – without the need for excessive irrigation.”
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Commercial opportunities for farmers
Upland rice also has significant commercial potential.
“Rice production would be more profitable for the farmers compared to numerous crops considering the price of rice such as long aromatic rice (e.g. basmati/jasmine). The existing rice value chain also outlines there would be established market opportunities for farmers.”
This also fits neatly into existing farming cycles.
“The planting window of rice would also assist multiple production of other crops within the farmer’s production cycle per annum.”
He underscored that the project is of national importance.
“Rice production would largely contribute to food security considering the growing demand for rice in South Africa.”
Government support remains vital
Though interest is high, Baloyi stresses that government backing remains essential.
“There is positive and substantial participation; however, more attention and participation is still required from various spheres of government.”
He said the project’s future includes a national rollout, although this depends on additional resources.
“The project will be expanded nationally across all provinces; however, there are still more funds required, and support required from other government departments. There is an established rice task team which involves other industry stakeholders, universities, government departments and other international partners involved.”
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Inspiring the next generation
Speaking to young scientists and agriculturists, Baloyi encouraged them to embrace innovation.
“They need to keep on looking for innovative ways to contribute to the agricultural global needs through applying biotechnology/plant breeding techniques. There are endless opportunities that could be created through plant breeding.”
For the ARC, the upland rice project is about far more than crop science. It is about creating jobs, strengthening farmers against future challenges and building resilient farming communities in the face of climate change, while taking a practical step towards a more food-secure South Africa.
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