ICS-CAAS Deepens Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation with Africa Rice Center

On September 18, 2026, a delegation led by Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, Director General of the Africa Rice Center, visited the Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ICS-CAAS). Dr. Wenbin Zhou, Director General of ICS-CAAS, and Dr. Manneh signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The two sides exchanged views on further deepening scientific research cooperation and jointly advancing the development of resilient rice-based food systems in Africa. Dr. Wensheng Wang, Deputy Director General of ICS-CAAS, and other experts accompanied the delegation during the visit.

The two sides held academic discussions on core topics including gene identification and breeding of climate-resilient Green Super Rice varieties for African countries, characterization of elite rice germplasm resources, climate-smart rice production, and rice genome editing. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties will carry out in-depth cooperation in germplasm characterization and enhancement, breeding of climate-resilient inbred and hybrid rice, establishment of seed production systems, and development of supporting crop management technologies. The MOU also covers joint research proposal development, staff exchanges and capacity building, including joint supervision of master’s and doctoral students and training for researchers and technical personnel.

Building on existing partnership, the two sides inaugurated Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)- Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Joint Laboratory in October 2025. The joint laboratory conducts regular cooperation focusing on African rice breeding, germplasm research and innovation, variety adaptation and matching cultivation technologies, as well as talent training and academic exchanges. This signing further consolidates the bilateral cooperation framework, providing scientific and technological support to safeguard food and nutrition security in Africa and improve the livelihoods of local rice farmers.

Members of the Africa Rice Center delegation and researchers from ICS-CAAS attended the meeting.