In August this year, new rice varieties will be explored, courtesy of Lifuwu Rice Research Station in Salima. According to the research station, the new varieties, farmers will be able to harvest at least 6.5 metric tonnes of unprocessed rice.

The new varieties have been tested and have so far impressed farmers, revealed Ekias Jeke, a variety expert at Lifuwu Rice Research Station. The new varieties have also proved to withstand harsh climatic conditions such as stormy winds, heavy rains as well as water stress conditions.

The varieties originated from Senegal and South Korea, surpassed 11 other new samples tested in selection processes by farmers. Lifuwu Research Station has been operational since 1971, with expertise in the rice breeding since 2002.