Ziguinchor: Rice seed producers adopt Korean techniques

The KOPIA Center in Senegal, in partnership with ISRA CRA in Djibélor, has launched an ambitious program to transfer Korean agricultural technologies to rice seed producers in the Ziguinchor region. Across a total area of 61 hectares spread across the villages of Mlomp, Thionck Essyl, Koutingor, Boutégol, and Sindima, 427 producers have been trained in modern row transplanting methods and good cultivation practices, according to an official ISRA Djibélor social media page.

This program, which began in August, started with theoretical sessions on the "10 Essential Practices for High-Quality Rice Seed Production." Farmers were introduced to key concepts such as varietal purity, planting density, the removal of non-type plants, timely fertilization, and the management of water, weeds, diseases, and pests. These lessons were immediately followed by practical exercises, where participants made their own transplanting ropes marked with a 30 x 15 cm spacing—an essential tool for applying the Korean method.

In September, training continued directly in the rice paddies. Farmers practiced regular transplanting in rows, with 3 to 4 plants per hill, spaced 30 cm between rows and 15 cm between hills. This arrangement, inspired by K-Agriculture, promotes better aeration, optimal use of light, and simplifies plot management. The practical sessions also covered the judicious application of herbicides, water management before and after application, and the application of topdressing fertilizer according to the rice's growth stage.

The producers, spread across Thionck Essyl (143), Mlomp (83), Koutingor (84), Boutégol (80), and Sindima (37), have shown great interest in these innovative techniques. They see them as a break from traditional, often less structured, practices and an opportunity to significantly improve the quality of the seeds produced. The ISRIZ 7 variety, used within the program, further strengthens the reliability and competitiveness of the local rice sector.

The program, which concluded on September 21st, demonstrates the commitment of the KOPIA Center Senegal and ISRA CRA in Djibélor to building a sustainable rice seed production system in Casamance. Beyond training, it represents a genuine transfer of expertise that places local producers at the heart of agricultural innovation. This Senegal-Korea collaboration thus becomes a strategic lever for food self-sufficiency and the modernization of rice production.