The K-rice belt: Seeds for self-sufficiency?

<p>Could Africa reduce its dependency on imported rice with the help of South Korea?</p><p>The continent's appetite for rice is growing fast at over 6% per year. And even though rice is grown in about 40 out of 54 countries in Africa, the production only covers about 60% of the demand. This results in 14 to 15 million tonnes of rice being imported each year costing over $6bn.</p><p>To remedy this, a new rice variety was developed in co-operation with South Korea: ISRIZ-7 and ISRIZ-8. These high yield rice varieties were bred from the very rice that is credited with bringing self-sufficiency in rice to South Korea in the '70s. Earlier this year 10 African nations launched the ‘Korean Rice Belt’ project to improve rice yields in participating countries.</p><p>David Cann looks into the rice co-operation between South Korea and African countries, speaking to the South Korean agricultural minister and farmers in Senegal and The Gambia.</p><p>Presenter/producer: David Cann</p><p>(Photo: A handful of ISRIZ rice seeds. Credit: Rural Development Administration)</p>