CAIRO, Egypt — Dr. Arthur Bob Karnuah, Director General of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), is currently attending a high-level continental forum focused on accelerating rice self-sufficiency across Africa. Held in Cairo from October 7–9, 2025, the event brought together policymakers, researchers, agribusiness leaders, and development partners to learn from Egypt’s transformative success in rice-based agri-food systems.

Under the theme “Towards Rice-Based Agri-Food Systems Transformation: Delivering on Rice Self-Sufficiency through Peer-to-Peer Learning – The Case of the Arab Republic of Egypt,” the forum promotes peer-to-peer learning among African nations by examining Egypt’s strategic approach to rice sector development.

The discussions centered on three core pillars: policy framework, technological innovations, and strategic partnerships. The meeting primarily focused on exploring how Egypt’s national policies have enabled large-scale rice cultivation and supported farmer incentives. It ensured market stability, showcasing advanced irrigation systems, high-yield rice varieties, and mechanized farming techniques that have significantly boosted productivity, and highlighting collaborations between government agencies, research institutions, and private sector actors that have driven Egypt’s success in rice production.

Representing Liberia’s agricultural research sector, Dr. Karnuah shared insights from CARI’s ongoing rice breeding programs and engaged in dialogue on how Egypt’s model can be adapted to Liberia’s agro-ecological context. His participation underscores Liberia’s commitment to three key pillars, including strengthening rice research and development, enhancing seed systems and farmer access to improved varieties, and building institutional capacity for sustainable rice production.

Dr. Karnuah was invited by Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, Director General of the Africa Rice Center, and H.E. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

During the sessions, Dr. Karnuah engaged with Egyptian experts on water-efficient irrigation models suitable for West African lowland rice systems, policy incentives to encourage youth participation in rice farming, and public-private partnerships for scaling up the rice value chain.s

He also presented updates on Liberia’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on mutation breeding and the development of stress-tolerant rice varieties, positioning CARI as a regional leader in rice innovation.

The forum concluded with a joint communiqué outlining actionable steps for African countries to accelerate rice self-sufficiency. Key commitments include strengthening regional research networks, harmonizing seed certification standards, and mobilizing financing for rice infrastructure and mechanization.on

Organized in collaboration with AfricaRice, this landmark event aims to strengthen regional cooperation and collective action to advance rice self-sufficiency across the continent.

Egypt’s remarkable achievements in rice production and agricultural innovation have positioned it as a model for rice sector development in Africa. The Africa Rice Center, a pan-African intergovernmental organization, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting member states in their pursuit of rice self-sufficiency and food security.

The forum’s key objectives are to examine Egypt’s comprehensive approach to rice sector transformation, share innovative policies, technologies, and strategies for boosting rice production, and strengthen regional collaboration, partnerships, and knowledge exchange.