Zimbabwe Introduces Three New Rice Varieties to Boost Local Production and Reduce Imports

The Agricultural Research and Innovation Services Department under Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has unveiled three new rice varieties tailored for farmers with limited access to irrigation. The varieties — Nerica 1, Nerica 3, and Nerica 7 — are designed to offer high yields while requiring minimal inputs, presenting a promising solution to the country’s growing rice demand.

Speaking at the recent second edition of the Agricultural Research and Extension Symposium in Harare, rice breeder Mrs Nomsa Chizhande highlighted the importance of these new varieties in reducing Zimbabwe’s heavy reliance on imported rice.

“Our goal is to close the gap between rice production and consumption by promoting locally grown rice,” Mrs Chizhande explained. “These varieties are engineered to mature at different times, giving farmers flexibility based on their farming conditions and schedules.”

The three varieties differ primarily in their maturation periods and yield potential:

• Nerica 7: A long-season variety that matures in 135 days and yields up to 7 tonnes per hectare.
• Nerica 3: A medium-maturing variety ready in 120 days with yields reaching up to 5 tonnes per hectare.
• Nerica 1: A short-season variety that matures in 100 days and produces between 3 to 4 tonnes per hectare.

A key advantage of these varieties is their adaptability to upland conditions, making them ideal for farmers in regions with limited or no irrigation facilities. Additionally, they require low inputs — about 200kg per hectare of basal fertilizer and 150kg per hectare of ammonium nitrate — reducing costs for smallholder farmers.

Mrs Chizhande emphasized the broader economic benefits of increasing local rice production. “By boosting rice yields, Zimbabwe can reduce import volumes and save valuable foreign currency. Currently, the country imports over 80 percent of its rice consumption, spending approximately US$100 million annually on rice imports.”

The push to promote rice farming is also driven by shifting consumer preferences. “Lifestyle changes have led to increased rice consumption, especially among the younger generation who are increasingly choosing rice over traditional staples like sadza,” she added.

With the release of Nerica 1, 3, and 7, Zimbabwe is taking a significant step towards food security, economic empowerment of farmers, and reducing foreign currency expenditure on rice imports. These varieties promise to enhance local production, offer farmers viable options adapted to varying environmental conditions, and contribute to the country’s agricultural growth.

As more farmers adopt these varieties, Zimbabwe could soon see a reduction in rice imports and a rise in self-sufficiency, benefiting both producers and consumers across the nation.