BSF project "Providing producers with high-performance varieties of drought-tolerant rice adapted to rainfed rice farming systems: strict rainfed, shallow, and controlled submersion"

"Providing producers with high-performance varieties of drought-tolerant rice adapted to rainfed rice farming systems: strict rainfed, shallow, and controlled submersion" is one of the projects supported by the Benefit-Sharing Fund of the International Treaty for Food and Agriculture (Fourth Cycle). This project aims to collect local varieties of rice in Mali and identify several varieties with high yield potential and drought tolerance. The project will also establish the molecular profile of each local variety collected and thereby make the genetic diversity and population structure of Malian local rice widely known. Genes associated with yield and yield components in both normal and drought conditions will be fully mapped. Four tons of pre-bred seeds will be made available to seed companies at affordable prices. Through the establishment of seed banks and awareness-raising at seed fairs and other events, producers will be empowered to manage their own genetic resources more efficiently.