Newsletter, August 2025
Africa Rice Sector Update
CARD is a coalition of 32 Sub-Saharan African countries and 14 Development Partners. We are working together to double rice production in Africa by Year 2030.
🌾 FINESSE MEETS RIGOUR: SHAPING A STRONGER RICE SECTOR IN BENIN
In Conversation with the National Focal Point of Benin National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) Task Force team.
We are excited to share with you an insightful interview with Mrs. Ing SAKA Loubatou, the NRDS Focal Point of the NRDS and Coordinator of the Rice Program in Benin. Mrs. Saka emphasized that, with evidence-based planning, clear roadmaps, and collective commitment, Benin is charting its path to rice self-sufficiency. By 2030, the nation aims to secure food sovereignty and join the select group of African countries producing enough rice for their people. 👉 Click here to the full article
🌾 UNLOCKING RICE POTENTIAL: REGIONAL/COUNTRY ACTIVITIES
Workshop on Monitoring & Evaluation of EAC Rice Development Strategy on 13 – 15 August 2025
Rice has become an integral part of the food systems in the East African Community (EAC). Total rice consumption in the region has recently increased significantly by 25%, from 4.82 million tons in 2019 to 6.03 million tons in 2023. Although the supply of locally produced rice (milled) has also increased by 17%, from 3.44 million tons to 4.03 million tons during the same period, the deficit of 32.1% in 2023 is presently filled by markets through importation of rice from outside the EAC region. 👉Click here to the full article
🌾 OVERVIEW OF RICE SECTOR IN ZIMBABWE
Finalization of Zimbabwe’s First National Rice Development Strategy to be officialized soon!
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of Zimbabwe has recently finalized its first National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS-0) which was internally validated by the Task Force (TF) on August 7th, 2025. As a result, the TF embarked in the process of elaboration of Concept Notes as tools for fundraising with Development Partners. 👉Click here to the full article
Overview of Rice Sector in Zimbabwe by Abraham Mashumba, Director of Business Development, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development – Focal Point, Coalition for African Rice Development –
Rice has become one of the major staple food crops in Zimbabwe driven by a shift in consumption patterns. An increase in population has also seen an increase in the demand for rice in Zimbabwe. Rice consumption is expanding at 6% per annum whilst production is 4% per annum, hence a huge gap which needs to be filled. The country’s annual rice requirement is about 300,000 metric tones, while local production is at average 2,900 MT. Rice provides an attractive choice as food by virtue of the relative ease and efficiency with which it can be cooked (fuel and time) and long shelf life. 👉Click here to the full article
🌾 THE PREPARATION OF MAURITANIA’S ACCESSION TO THE CARD INITIATIVE
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of Zimbabwe has recently finalized its first National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS-0) which was internally validated by the Task Force (TF) on August 7th, 2025. As a result, the TF embarked in the process of elaboration of Concept Notes as tools for fundraising with Development Partners. 👉Click here to the full article
Check out all the recent developments on CARD activities. Our news includes coverage of major events and activities, programmes, and CARD engagement with its stakeholders. 👉Click here to see the news
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