Israel partners Ghana to build climate resilience in rice production

Rice is an essential crop in West Africa, and plays a vital role in regional food security for both rural and urban populations. In 2017, rice imports from Asia accounted for 46% of total rice consumption in the region, indicating a growing demand for rice that has outpaced production. Climate change poses a significant threat to rice production in the region, with increasing variability in climate events disrupting growing season calendars, shortening cropping seasons, and exacerbating dry-spells, droughts, heatwaves, floods and changes in the incidence and geographic range of pests and diseases. As a result, building climate resilience in rice production has become a top priority for West African countries. Israel, with its arid and semi-arid climate, has become a leader in developing agritech solutions to farm in such environments. These technologies and practices can be adapted to the West African context, providing an opportunity to enhance rice productivity and resilience in ...