NERICA Rice Africa’s Homegrown Revolution in a Grain

In the world of rice, few innovations have sparked as much hope for smallholder farmers as NERICA—the New Rice for Africa. Born from a cross between high-yielding Asian rice (Oryza sativa) and resilient African rice (Oryza glaberrima), NERICA varieties are drought-tolerant, early-maturing, and nutrient-efficient. They were developed to thrive in rain-fed uplands where traditional rice struggles. In Kirinyaga County, Kenya, NERICA has become the backbone of dryland rice farming, turning marginal soils into food and income.

Below is a detailed guide to the most widely grown NERICA varieties in Kenya, with agronomic traits, performance data, and farmer insights from Kirinyaga and beyond.

NERICA 1

Parentage: WAB 56-104 × CG 14

Maturity: 95–100 days

Yield Potential: 4.5–6.0 t/ha (with good management)

Plant Height: 90–110 cm

Grain Type: Long, slender

Key Traits:

High tillering (12–18 tillers/plant)

Moderate drought tolerance

Resistant to rice blast and African rice gall midge

Good weed competitiveness due to early vigor

Best For: Medium-altitude uplands (1,000–1,500 m) with reliable short rains

Farmer Note (Kirinyaga): Popular in Gichugu; cooks fluffy but slightly sticky—preferred for ugali mix.

NERICA 4 (Most Popular in Kirinyaga)

Parentage: WAB 56-50 × CG 14

Maturity: 90–105 days

Yield Potential: 3.5–5.5 t/ha (rain-fed); up to 7 t/ha with fertilizer

Plant Height: 85–100 cm

Grain Type: Medium-long, bold

Key Traits:

Excellent drought escape (early maturity)

Strong root system—tolerates 10–14 days of water stress

High response to nitrogen (50–75 kg/ha boosts yield 40%)

Resistant to blast; moderate RYMV tolerance

Best For: Dryland farming in Mwea lowlands and Kangai slopes

Farmer Insight: “If rains fail in April, NERICA 4 still gives 12–15 bags per acre.” – Jane W., Thiba

NERICA 10

Parentage: WAB 880-1-32-1-2-P1-HB × CG 14

Maturity: 100–110 days

Yield Potential: 5.0–7.0 t/ha

Plant Height: 100–120 cm

Grain Type: Long, slender, aromatic

Key Traits:

Highest yield potential among upland NERICAs

Superior grain quality—competes with Basmati in aroma

Good lodging resistance

Moderate blast resistance; needs fungicide in humid areas

Best For: Higher rainfall zones (e.g., Kutus, Kerugoya) with clay-loam soils

Market Edge: Fetches KES 100–120/kg in local markets—ideal for urban sales.

NERICA 11

Parentage: WAB 450-I-B-P-91-HB × CG 14

Maturity: 95–105 days

Yield Potential: 4.0–6.0 t/ha

Plant Height: 90–105 cm

Grain Type: Medium-bold

Key Traits:

Best iron toxicity tolerance—thrives in acidic, iron-rich volcanic soils

High milling recovery (68–70%)

Resistant to stem borers

Best For: Red soil areas in Ndia and Mwea West

Farmer Tip: Plant with Desmodium (push-pull) to control borers naturally.

NERICA 15 (Emerging Star)

Parentage: WAB 881-10-37-18-18-P1-HB × CG 14

Maturity: 105–115 days

Yield Potential: 6.0–8.0 t/ha (highest among NERICAs)

Plant Height: 110–130 cm

Grain Type: Long, translucent

Key Traits:

Top performer under low-input systems

Excellent response to phosphorus (critical in Kirinyaga’s P-fixing soils)

Strong panicle—fewer shattered grains

Best For: Farmers with access to DAP/TSP fertilizer and longer rainy seasons

Challenge: Taller stature = higher lodging risk in storms.

Comparative Snapshot (Rain-fed Upland Conditions)

Variety

Days to Maturity

Avg. Yield (t/ha)

Drought Tolerance

Grain Market Price (KES/kg)

NERICA 1

95–100

4.5–5.5

★★★☆☆

80–90

NERICA 4

90–105

3.5–5.5

★★★★☆

85–100

NERICA 10

100–110

5.0–7.0

★★★☆☆

100–120

NERICA 11

95–105

4.0–6.0

★★★★☆

90–105

NERICA 15

105–115

6.0–8.0

★★★☆☆

95–110

Agronomic Best Practices (Kirinyaga Edition)

Seed Rate: 60–80 kg/ha (25x25 cm spacing, 1–2 seeds/hill)

Fertilizer:

Basal: DAP @ 100 kg/ha

Top-dress: Urea @ 50 kg/ha (30 & 55 DAT)

Weeding: Two hand weedings (21 & 45 DAT) or use rotary weeder

Water: Needs 600–800 mm well-distributed rainfall

Pest Control:

Blast → Trichoderma seed treatment

Stem borer → Push-pull (Desmodium + Napier)

Harvest: When 85% grains are golden—use sickles to avoid shattering

Where to Get NERICA Seed in Kirinyaga

Kenya Seed Company (Kerugoya Branch)

Mwea Rice Growers Sacco (MURBS) – certified seed at KES 250–300/kg

Community Seed Banks (e.g., Kangai Women’s Group) – recycled but tested

KALRO Katumani – foundation seed for groups

The Future of NERICA

Newer lines like NERICA-L 19 and NERICA-L 28 (lowland-adapted) are being trialed in Mwea’s rain-fed pockets. Meanwhile, CRISPR-edited NERICA with enhanced blast resistance is in the pipeline at Africa Rice Center.

For Kirinyaga’s dryland farmers, NERICA isn’t just a variety—it’s a survival strategy. It matures before the rains fail, feeds families, and sells at a premium. As one elder in Baricho put it:

“With NERICA, even the dry soil sings.”

Plant a row of NERICA this season. In 100 days, you’ll harvest more than rice—you’ll harvest resilience.

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