African agricultural experts- We need to learn from China how to be “self-sufficient”

In a recent interview in Sanya, Baboucarr Manneh, the Director-General of the Africa Rice Center, emphasized the critical need for Africa to learn from China in achieving food self-sufficiency. “We truly need Africans to feed Africans,” he stated.

Manneh is currently in China to attend the 2024 World Agricultural Technology Innovation Conference in Beijing and has traveled to Sanya for discussions on collaboration with Chinese agricultural research institutions and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

As the leader of the “Green Super Rice” project in Africa, Manneh has been collaborating with China for several years. “Through our partnership with China, Africa can learn how to enhance rice production efficiency and improve the overall food production system,” he explained.

According to the 2024 report on the “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World,” 58% of Africa’s population faced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2023, with one in five individuals struggling with access to food.

Manneh pointed out that Africa’s agricultural development is still hindered by inadequate policy investment, an incomplete seed system, weak infrastructure, and energy shortages. He believes that technical collaboration is crucial for boosting Africa’s food production capabilities. China not only has advanced rice breeding technologies but also offers valuable lessons in agricultural mechanization, fertilizer management, and irrigation techniques.

He highlighted that much of Africa’s rice cultivation relies on rain-fed agriculture, with less than a quarter of rice fields equipped for irrigation. Given the impacts of climate change, erratic rainfall can lead to both droughts and floods. “If Africa aspires to achieve food self-sufficiency, it must learn from China on how to expand irrigation coverage,” Manneh urged.

However, for many African farmers, the cost of fuel for irrigation pumps remains prohibitively high. Manneh noted that some local initiatives are already helping farmers access small solar-powered irrigation pumps, significantly reducing energy costs.

“China excels in solar technology, which opens up avenues for development,” he remarked. Manneh hopes for enhanced collaboration between China and Africa in utilizing solar technology for rice cultivation. “This not only presents business opportunities for Chinese companies in Africa but also helps Africa gain access to affordable energy, expand irrigation, and improve agricultural mechanization, ultimately leading to self-sufficiency.”