Ghana's No1 Agric News Portal
Friday, September 29, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
  • Business
    • Events
    • Opportunities
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
    • Crops
    • Livestock
    • Wildlife
    • Aquaculture
  • More
    • Climate Change
    • Press Releases
    • Video
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
  • Business
    • Events
    • Opportunities
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
    • Crops
    • Livestock
    • Wildlife
    • Aquaculture
  • More
    • Climate Change
    • Press Releases
    • Video
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Africa/World

Rice farmers in Senegal want to change the reputation of local rice

December 18, 2019
in Africa/World
0 0
262
CSIR-SARI launches Ricowas project to scale up climate-resilient rice production
0
SHARES
209
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Ibrahima Ly is a big rice producer in northern Senegal, growing irrigated rice in the Senegal River Valley. But Mr. Ly isn’t celebrating his success. Instead, he is concerned about competition from Asian rice, which many buyers prefer.

He has not lost hope that his fellow Senegalese will choose local rice one day. But there is still a big hurdle—educating people on the benefits of local rice. He explains: “Senegalese consumers do not know that local rice is superior to imported rice and contains numerous [beneficial] qualities: [it has] less sugar, [is] more digestible and [is] inexpensive.”

A series of myths persist and slow sales of local rice. Many people believe that there are small particles of sand or dirty grains in local rice. They think the rice must be washed before cooking to achieve the same results as Asian rice.

Senegalese rice farmers have difficulty selling their rice, and large quantities of rice are imported. Senegal is the second-largest importer of rice in Africa, behind Nigeria.

Mr. Ly would like Senegalese consumers to develop a new habit of buying local rice. But this is only possible if producers publicize the benefits of local rice, which includes a lower price.

Seydou Nourou Sy is also a rice producer. He is pushing for more local rice in department stores, supermarkets, and stores in the highly-populated suburbs of Dakar.

Mr. Sy is inviting other value chain actors to publicize the benefits of local rice so that consumers can buy with confidence. He says: “We should not allow consumers to make a choice other than local rice because it is better. Local rice, if well-nurtured and -managed, could become consumers’ preferred choice.”

Fortunately, not all consumers casually reject local rice. Some consume it regularly and recognize that it has the same quality standards as Asian rice. Ndeye Ndiaye is a mother of six who lives in the suburbs of Dakar. She buys local rice to cook thieboudieune (rice with fish).

Mrs. Ndiaye says choosing Senegalese rice is also a patriotic duty. She explains, “I prefer to support my farmer parents instead of choosing foreign imports.”

Another issue is the number of local varieties. Senegalese farmers grow about 15 varieties of rice. Mr. Sy and Mr. Ly say it would be preferable to focus on certain well-producing varieties, such as Sahel 108 and Sahel 177.

But what’s most important for producers is ensuring that consumers are well-informed about the quality of local rice. They believe that, once people eat local rice, everyone will be a winner.

Uniterra is a program implemented by CECI-WUSC, working in Senegal with local partners in the rice, groundnut, poultry, and market gardening sub-sectors to help youth and women access better economic opportunities. The objective is to reinforce the economic power of women and youth by developing their entrepreneurial spirit. The Uniterra program provided funding and technical support for the production of this story. CECI and WUSC are financially supported by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, www.international.gc.ca. For more information you can follow Uniterra Senegal on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cecisenegal.

Source: farmradio

December 08, 2019

Tags: changelocal ricereputationRice farmers in Senegal
Please login to join discussion
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
I never used chemical fertilisers but I excelled – 2017 2nd National best farmer

Farming is the most Lucrative job – CEO of Okata Farms

June 6, 2020
Sugarcane farmers seek Gov’t support ahead of Sugar Factory reopening

Sugarcane farmers seek Gov’t support ahead of Sugar Factory reopening

June 12, 2020
carrots

How to successfully grow and harvest carrots.

August 1, 2021
The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

March 6, 2021
The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

The 2021 Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries (LiPF) training trade show launched.

12637
Resurgence of ‘fall armyworms’ – Farmers warned

Resurgence of ‘fall armyworms’ – Farmers warned

4425
New Agro Intervention Project Launched to Alleviate Poverty – Kintampo

New Agro Intervention Project Launched to Alleviate Poverty – Kintampo

3503
2020 National Farmers’ Day Launched

2020 National Farmers’ Day Launched

2587
Africa needs more coherent agricultural policies – Dr. Seidu Jasaw at AFSF

Africa needs more coherent agricultural policies – Dr. Seidu Jasaw at AFSF

September 7, 2023
Cocoa production forecast to fall by one-third

Cocoa farmers demand 73% increase in farm-gate prices

September 7, 2023
Africa Agriculture Status report commends GIRSAL for expanding farmer access to loans in Ghana

Africa’s food system is failing to deliver sustainable healthy diets to all – 2023 Africa Agriculture Status Report

September 7, 2023
Africa Agriculture Status report commends GIRSAL for expanding farmer access to loans in Ghana

Africa Agriculture Status report commends GIRSAL for expanding farmer access to loans in Ghana

September 7, 2023
Agri Ghana Online

Agrighanaonline.com is your most authentic agricultural website. We bring you all agricultural news and information from Ghana and across the world.

  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
  • Business
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
  • More

© 2020 Agri Ghana Online -Developed By Marvbel Koncepts.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Farmers’ Stories
  • Business
    • Events
    • Opportunities
  • Africa/World
  • Agri-Produce
    • Crops
    • Livestock
    • Wildlife
    • Aquaculture
  • More
    • Climate Change
    • Press Releases
    • Video

© 2020 Agri Ghana Online -Developed By Marvbel Koncepts.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In