From May 15 to 28, 2025, thirty agricultural officials and experts from six African nations immersed themselves in the 2025 Seminar on Perennial Rice Technology in China. Organized by China's Ministry of Commerce with support from BGI Group, the two-week intensive program highlighted innovative approaches to sustainable rice cultivation.
"I came with an empty bag, but I'm going back with a full bag of information, full bag of knowledge," said Willis Abwao Adero, senior research scientist at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. Allo Amen Dido, senior researcher and plant biotechnology directorate director from the Bio and Emerging Technology Institute in Ethiopia, added: "We learned a lot, not only about rice, but also the full-cycle management of perennial rice production."
Delegates tackled country-specific challenges: Nigeria explored streamlined planting methods to transform its rice sector; Ethiopia proposed integrating wild rice genes with genomic tools to suit high-altitude varieties; Kenya outlined plans for pilot trials with its national research organization; and Egypt emphasized the need for salt-tolerant rice to address saline-alkali soils. All participants agreed long-term partnerships and sustained technical support between African and Chinese research institutions are key to success.
The seminar coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, a milestone highlighting a quarter-century of deepening ties. This phase of collaboration in agricultural modernization underscores both sides' commitment to global food security and rural development. BGI Group, as a leading life science enterprise, pledged to expand research alliances and share sustainable farming practices across Africa.
Perennial rice – a crop yielding multiple harvests from a single planting – stands out as a game-changer for resource optimization. For young global citizens, agripreneurs, and researchers, this initiative offers a clear example of how science-driven partnerships can shape a more sustainable future for rice fields from the floodplains of Nigeria to the highlands of Ethiopia.
Reference(s):
African delegates finish training on perennial rice in China
cgtn.com
