The first hybrid rice varieties developed in sub-Saharan Africa are yielding up to four times more than other improved varieties .
The 15 hybrids, bred in Kenya and Tanzania, are also tolerant to diseases and high temperatures.
Local farmers have always depended on imported hybrid rice varieties, particularly from Asia, which sometimes do not adapt well to conditions in sub-Saharan Africa.
As the climate shifts and arable land shrinks under population pressure, there is a need for more innovative ways to produce food.
Africa's food deficit is projected to increase to 60million metric tons by 2020 if no action is taken, according to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra).
Joe DeVries, director of an Agra programme to strengthen Africa's seed systems, said productivity on the continent is limited by the fact that farmers have a narrow choice of improved varieties.
"Most of them [are] planting varieties that were released more than 30 years ago."
Denis Kyetere, executive director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), which has developed the new hybrids in a public-private partnership, said hybrid technology had revolutionised rice production in Asia.
"With this technology, we look forward to Africa being able to feed Africa," said Kayode Sanni, project manager for rice at the AATF.
In 2014, Africa imported 12million tons of rice, mostly from Asia.
US-based aWhere, a partner in the hybrid rice project, has developed web-based tools that allow scientists to determine when and where to conduct breeding, seed multiplication and seed production to take advantage of the best climate conditions.
Improved inbred rice varieties, such as the New Rice for Africa (Nerica) lines, are already in use on African farms.
With this method, the end product has the ability to reproduce itself through self-pollination because the rice plant flowers contain both male and female organs.
With hybrid varieties, the parent plants are crossed separately with new varieties, and the offspring are united to produce a first-generation hybrid seed, which performs better than both parents.
One potential problem is that seeds harvested from hybrid plants are not recommended for replanting because their superior performance is lost due to genetic separation, resulting in a lower yield.
Farmers do not save seed from their harvest to plant again, and seed companies must produce new hybrid seed for planting every season.
"This has always been a setback - particularly for farmers who cannot afford higher prices of hybrid seeds. But through this project ... poor farmers can borrow the seed and pay back only after harvest," said John Mann, managing director for Afritec Seeds.
Although farmers will have to buy seeds each time they plant, the extra profit from the hybrids' higher yield is expected to be far higher than the cost of the seeds.
Apart from Egypt, which has been producing hybrid rice on a commercial scale for over a decade, no other African country had succeeded in developing its own local hybrid rice.
Farmers participating in the trials in East Africa are eagerly waiting for the hybrid seeds to be officially released for commercial use - probably in less than a year.
"We have already set aside money to buy the new breeds," said Charles Wawo, a rice farmer.
African hybrid rice yields bumper crops
The first hybrid rice varieties developed in sub-Saharan Africa are yielding up to four times more than other improved varieties .
The 15 hybrids, bred in Kenya and Tanzania, are also tolerant to diseases and high temperatures.
Local farmers have always depended on imported hybrid rice varieties, particularly from Asia, which sometimes do not adapt well to conditions in sub-Saharan Africa.
As the climate shifts and arable land shrinks under population pressure, there is a need for more innovative ways to produce food.
Africa's food deficit is projected to increase to 60million metric tons by 2020 if no action is taken, according to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra).
Joe DeVries, director of an Agra programme to strengthen Africa's seed systems, said productivity on the continent is limited by the fact that farmers have a narrow choice of improved varieties.
"Most of them [are] planting varieties that were released more than 30 years ago."
Denis Kyetere, executive director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), which has developed the new hybrids in a public-private partnership, said hybrid technology had revolutionised rice production in Asia.
"With this technology, we look forward to Africa being able to feed Africa," said Kayode Sanni, project manager for rice at the AATF.
In 2014, Africa imported 12million tons of rice, mostly from Asia.
US-based aWhere, a partner in the hybrid rice project, has developed web-based tools that allow scientists to determine when and where to conduct breeding, seed multiplication and seed production to take advantage of the best climate conditions.
Improved inbred rice varieties, such as the New Rice for Africa (Nerica) lines, are already in use on African farms.
With this method, the end product has the ability to reproduce itself through self-pollination because the rice plant flowers contain both male and female organs.
With hybrid varieties, the parent plants are crossed separately with new varieties, and the offspring are united to produce a first-generation hybrid seed, which performs better than both parents.
One potential problem is that seeds harvested from hybrid plants are not recommended for replanting because their superior performance is lost due to genetic separation, resulting in a lower yield.
Farmers do not save seed from their harvest to plant again, and seed companies must produce new hybrid seed for planting every season.
"This has always been a setback - particularly for farmers who cannot afford higher prices of hybrid seeds. But through this project ... poor farmers can borrow the seed and pay back only after harvest," said John Mann, managing director for Afritec Seeds.
Although farmers will have to buy seeds each time they plant, the extra profit from the hybrids' higher yield is expected to be far higher than the cost of the seeds.
Apart from Egypt, which has been producing hybrid rice on a commercial scale for over a decade, no other African country had succeeded in developing its own local hybrid rice.
Farmers participating in the trials in East Africa are eagerly waiting for the hybrid seeds to be officially released for commercial use - probably in less than a year.
"We have already set aside money to buy the new breeds," said Charles Wawo, a rice farmer.
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