Africa struggling to reduce dependency on Indian riceAFP, DAK, SenegalOutside Dak village in central Senegal women sing and dance as they chop through rice stalks with sickle or knife. Photo: AFPIn several African countries that rely on imported rice, self-sufficiency has become a buzzword. Africa accounts for 13 percent of the world population, but 32 percent of global rice imports, said Africa Rice, a research center set up by 28 nations and based in Abidjan. “Local rice production covers only about 60 percent of current demand in sub-Saharan Africa, which means 14 to 15 million tonnes are imported annually,” the center said. Meanwhile, Nigeria has followed a different strategy and slapped heavy taxes on imported rice to try to boost local production.
