AfricaRice Arise Project

 

At the heart of our project, "Harnessing Oryza glaberrima Genomic Resources for Rice Disease Resistance in a Changing Climate," is a commitment to improving rice productivity and securing livelihoods across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). As rice becomes an increasingly vital food crop in the region, the sector faces growing threats from rice blast, a devastating disease caused by Pyricularia oryzae (PO), which can result in yield losses of up to 100%. The intensification of this disease is driven by factors such as drought stress and increased use of nitrogen fertilizers, conditions that are becoming more prevalent with climate change and crop intensification.

The limited availability of rice cultivars adapted to these challenges often leads to greater reliance on chemical fungicides, undermining the sustainability of rice production systems. However, Oryza glaberrima, a rice species indigenous to Africa, presents a rich genetic resource with natural resilience to both biotic and abiotic stresses.

Our project leverages genomic and bioinformatic tools to identify and develop rice varieties with durable resistance to PO, even under the combined pressures of drought and high nitrogen fertilizer use. By targeting these crucial traits, our work aims to deliver new knowledge and rice breeding lines that can withstand the dual challenges of disease and climate stress, reducing the need for fungicides and reinforcing food security in SSA.

Aligned with the ARISE-PP thematic focus on climate change and environment, our project is not only advancing disease resistance breeding but also prioritizing the training and empowerment of young scientists, with a strong emphasis on gender mainstreaming in agricultural research and collaboration with advanced labs. In doing so, we contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 1 (no poverty), and SDG 2 (zero hunger).