IRAD, SEMRY join forces to boost local rice output.

Both institutions signed the framework partnership agreement under the VIVA Logone project, on April 24, in Yaounde. 

IRAD Director General, Dr Noé Woin, and SEMRY Director General, Fissou Kouma, signed for their respective institutions. IRAD and SEMRY, it should be said, are executing agency for the VIVA Logone project. 

The signing ceremony was attended by project coordinator, Laoumaye Merhoye, the Director of Regulation and Quality Control at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nying Charles Shey, alongside researchers and officials from both institutions.

It emerged from the signing that the agreement aims at reinforcing the seed programme of the Technological Innovation Centre with support from the VIVA Logone project. 

Under the framework, IRAD will provide scientific and technical expertise in varietal selection, approval of new rice varieties and the production of improved foundation seeds.

The two institutions said the partnership is expected to help develop rice varieties suited to the irrigated fields managed by SEMRY and to the Far North Region, where rice farming remains a major economic activity.

According to the agreement, the collaboration is intended to deliver: “a varietal selection of rice adapted to SEMRY's irrigated perimeters and to the Far North region; support for SEMRY throughout all stages of the registration process; and guidance for SEMRY in the production of foundation seeds and R1 certified seeds, prior to any phase of multiplication or distribution”. 

Officials said the agreement is intended to improve seed quality and strengthen production systems before wider dissemination to farmers. SEMRY Director General, Fissou Kouma, said IRAD’s expertise would also support rehabilitation works in key rice-growing zones.

“This expertise, scientific, technical and technological, will serve the rehabilitation of 12,350 hectares of rice perimeters in Yagoua and Maga,” Kouma stated.

The rehabilitation of these areas is expected to improve irrigation capacity and raise productivity in two of Cameroon’s established rice basins.

On his part, IRAD Director General, Dr Noé Woin, stated that the convention has financial backing from the World Bank and will run for three years. The funding is expected to support research, seed development and technical assistance during implementation.

According to government statistics, rice is one of the country’s most consumed cereals, with local output often unable to fully meet demand. Officials said the signing forms part of the country’s efforts, aimed at reducing imports through greater domestic production. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3779 of Monday May 04, 2026