Thirty agricultural officials and technical experts from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Gambia, and Cameroon have recently completed the “2025 Seminar on Perennial Rice Technology for African Countries” - an intensive five-day training course in perennial rice technology - at the BGI Center, global headquarters of BGI Group in Shenzhen. Hosted by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) of China’s Ministry of Commerce and organized by BGI College and BGI Bioverse, an educational institute and an agricultural subsidiary of BGI Group, the program was designed to empower African agricultural leaders with the latest sustainable rice cultivation techniques.

Group photo of participants of the “2025 Seminar on Perennial Rice Technology for African Countries” with BGI Group staffs at the BGI Bioverse Agricultural Base.

The training, which ran from May 21 to May 25, combined classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork, highlighting the science and practical benefits of perennial rice - a breakthrough crop that allows multiple harvests from a single planting. By reducing the need for annual tilling and replanting, perennial rice can cut production costs, support stable yields, and drive eco-friendly farming practices.

BGI Group has spent more than two decades advancing rice research and now maintains a comprehensive gene database covering over 3,000 rice varieties. Using proprietary multi-omics sequencing and crop breeding technology, BGI Group is accelerating the development of high-yield, resilient rice strains tailored for diverse climates and regions.

Participants learn about high-yield perennial rice cultivation techniques.

Throughout the training, African participants visited BGI Bioverse’s agricultural bases, participated in rice transplanting exercises, and received expert instruction on water, fertilizer, and pest management. They were also introduced to specialized microbial agents - plant probiotics developed by BGI Bioverse - that can improve soil health, boost fertilizer efficiency, and enhance crop resilience. Field data have shown significant yield increases in soybean, rice, and cotton following the use of these innovations.

Participants observe perennial rice at the BGI Bioverse Agricultural Base.

Participants take part in field management training.

Participants were grouped into teams by country and held in-depth discussions to identify local strategies for perennial rice adoption. The Nigerian delegation proposed streamlined planting methods to address population growth and agricultural transformation. The Ethiopian team recommended integrating local wild rice genes with advanced genomic tools to breed varieties suited for high-altitude regions. Kenyan representatives outlined plans for pilot field trials in partnership with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). The Egyptian delegation emphasized the need for salt-tolerant rice and microbial solutions to reclaim saline-alkali soils. All delegates agreed that long-term partnerships between African and Chinese research institutions, along with ongoing technical support, are critical to success.

“Africa’s food security depends on end-to-end technology innovation - from gene sequencing to field management - and BGI’s perennial rice technology is a model of what’s possible,” said Dr. Willis Abwao Adero, Senior Research Scientist at KALRO. He expressed his excitement to bring these methods back to Kenya, begin with pilot projects, and work toward rice self-sufficiency across the continent.

“BGI’s laboratory is more advanced than what we have observed before, and we look forward to strengthening collaboration - especially in molecular research and crop improvement - so that both our institutions can benefit from joint projects and knowledge exchange,” said Dr. Allo Amen Dido, Senior Researcher and Plant Biotechnology Directorate Director at Ethiopia’s Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin).

Representative from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security presents a report.

Representative from Ethiopia’s Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin) presents a report.

Representative from Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research presents a report.

Representative from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization presents a report.

Representative from Egypt’s Agricultural Research Center presents a report.

The perennial rice initiative is forging new partnerships and building a bridge of scientific collaboration. BGI Group remains committed to expanding international exchanges, sharing best practices, and helping make sustainable agriculture a reality in Africa.