Economy
Rice Farmers Lose $200m Yearly to Parasitic Weeds
By Dipo Olowookere
An international team of researchers representing the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Wageningen University, has raised the alarm over the enormous economic impact of parasitic weeds on rice production in Africa, threatening the food security and livelihoods of millions of resource-poor rice farmers and consumers in the region.
Smallholder farmers in the continent are losing every year half a million tons of rice worth about US $200 million because of parasitic weeds.
This is roughly equivalent to the annual rice consumption of Liberia, a low-income country, which is highly dependent on rice imports.
If the rice lost due to the parasitic weeds had been saved, it would have been enough to feed the total population of Liberia (4.5 million people) for a whole year.
Parasitic weeds are among the most destructive and problematic weeds to control.
“When these plants invade food crops, they turn into ferocious weeds,” said Dr Jonne Rodenburg, Agronomist at AfricaRice.
The most important parasitic weed species in rice are Striga asiatica, S. aspera, S. hermonthica and Rhamphicarpa fistulosa. They are all endemic to Africa and can also parasitize other cereal crops like maize, sorghum and millet.
The team of researchers reveal that these parasitic weeds, which survive by siphoning off water and nutrients from host crops, have invaded 1.34 million hectares of rainfed rice in Africa, affecting an estimated 950,000 rural households. They are increasingly becoming severe due to an intensification of agricultural production and climate changes.
The areas affected by parasitic weeds are home to some of the world’s poorest farmers.
Studies by AfricaRice and partners have shown that parasitic weeds seem to predominantly affect women farmers in Africa as they are often forced to grow rice on the most marginal and parasitic weed-infested plots.
Parasitic weeds threaten rice production in at least 28 countries in Africa that have rainfed rice systems. The most affected countries are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone Tanzania and Uganda.
The researchers warn that these parasites are spreading fast in the rainfed rice area and if nothing is done to stop them in their tracks, the damage will increase by about US $30 million a year.
These findings were revealed in a recent article by Rodenburg, Demont, Zwart and Bastiaans, entitled “Parasitic weed incidence and related economic losses in rice in Africa,” published in Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 235 (306-317).
Rice is the second most important source of calories in Africa. It is also critical for smallholder incomes. Demand for rice is growing at a rate of more than 6% per year – faster than for any other food staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), because of changes in consumer preferences and urbanization. Rice production is increasing across SSA, but the continent still imports some 40% of its rice.
Until now, there has been little information on the regional spread and economic importance of parasitic weeds in rice in Africa. “We have presented in this article best-bet estimates on the distribution as well as the agronomic and economic impact of parasitic weeds in rice in Africa,” explained Dr Rodenburg. “In fact, this is the first multi-species, multi-country impact assessment of parasitic weeds in Africa.”
The article focuses on the four most important parasitic weeds in rice. Striga species – known under the common name “witchweed” – occur in at least 31 countries with rain-fed upland rice systems. Rhamphicarpa fistulosa – known under the common name “rice vampireweed” – threatens rice production in at least 28 countries with rainfed lowland rice systems.
Dr Sander Zwart, AfricaRice Remote sensing and Geographic information systems specialist, explained that for this study, a map of rainfed rice production areas, compiled from different databases, was overlapped with parasitic weed observation data retrieved from public herbaria to visualize regional distribution of these four important parasitic weeds.
From this overlap, probabilities of actual infestation were estimated. These estimates together with secondary data on parasite-inflicted crop losses and efficacy of weed control were combined into a stochastic impact assessment model.
The knowledge acquired on the distribution as well as the agronomic and economic impact of parasitic weeds in rice in Africa underlines the importance of finding effective measures to control these pests through research.
AfricaRice and its partners have been investigating and developing efficient parasitic weed management strategies that are affordable and feasible for resource-poor rice farmers. “A range of high-yielding, short-cycle, farmer-preferred rice varieties have been identified with resistance or tolerance to different species and ecotypes of Striga, as well as varieties with good defense against R. fistulosa,” said Dr Rodenburg.
He explained that such varieties can be combined with different agronomic measures, such as late sowing (against R. fistulosa) or early sowing (against Striga), and the use of organic soil fertility amendments. Growing a leguminous cover crop such as Stylosanthes guianensisand following a zero-tillage approach also contribute to effective control of Striga, as demonstrated by agronomic experiments conducted by AfricaRice and its partners.
To study institutional and socio-economic constraints underlying the challenge posed by the parasitic weeds, and to raise awareness and improve communication on efficient management strategies, AfricaRice and its partners have brought together stakeholders, including national research institutes, extension services, crop protection services and private sector representatives in workshops in East and West Africa.
At a time where there is a decline in public sector investments in agricultural research, efficient targeting of resources is becoming increasingly important. “The results of our studies emphasize the importance of targeted investments in further research, the development and dissemination of control technologies and capacity building of farmers, extension agents and other stakeholders, to reverse the observed trend of increasing parasitic weeds in rice,” stated Dr Rodenburg.
AfricaRice.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Brent futures gained $2.90 or 2.8 per cent to trade at $108.23 a barrel on Monday as peace talks between the United States and Iran stalled and shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited, keeping global oil supplies tight.
Also, the US West Texas Intermediate crude rose by $1.97 or 2.1 per cent to $96.37 per barrel after Iran reportedly offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but insisted US nuclear talks be postponed, a condition the Americans are unlikely to accept.
Iran presented the proposal through regional mediators to reopen the waterway and move toward ending the war first, while postponing nuclear negotiations. The proposal would separate shipping security from the dispute over uranium enrichment, where negotiations have deadlocked.
The stalled negotiations are leading to fears for the global economy as both nations are no closer to a lasting truce after US President Donald Trump cancelled American participation in talks with Iran.
President Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal on resolving the war with Iran with his top national security aides, with the conflict currently in a stalemate and energy supplies from the Middle East region reduced.
The market is also beginning to price the supply story beyond crude. Higher petrol and heating oil prices are feeding concern that the conflict is moving into transport, manufacturing, and consumer costs.
At least seven ships – mainly dry bulk vessels – have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, in line with muted activity in recent days. That represents a fraction of the average 140 daily passages before the Iran war began on February 28, when around 20 per cent of global oil supplies passed through the strait.
In addition, six tankers loaded with Iranian oil have been forced back to Iran by the US blockade in recent days.
Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Iranian people for battling to stay independent in the face of US and Israeli pressure and said Russia would do all it could to help Iran.
Major global central banks are set to hold interest rates steady this week.
The European Central Bank (ECB) will meet on Thursday, with a ceasefire easing the pressure on it for an immediate interest rate hike. Higher interest rates increase consumer borrowing costs, which can reduce economic growth and oil demand.
Traders are betting that the US Federal Reserve, ECB, Bank of Japan, and Bank of England will all maintain rates at current levels.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited suffered a 0.94 per cent loss on Monday, April 27, 2026, which marked the commencement of an extended market session.
A few weeks ago, it was announced that trading activities on Customs Street would now be from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm instead of the usual 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
This action was taken to allow market participants more time to explore the bourse and further make it robust, especially after the restoration of Nigeria’s frontier market status by FTSE Russell.
The NGX came under selling pressure, which resulted in 35 equities finishing on the gainers’ chart and 40 equities ending on the losers’ table, indicating a negative market breadth index and weak investor sentiment.
Trans-Nationwide Express, First Holdco, and UBA were the worst-performing equities after giving up 10.00 per cent each to trade at N7.11, N67.50, and N49.50, respectively. Access Holdings depreciated by 9.90 per cent to N28.20, and Fidelity Bank crashed by 9.87 per cent to N20.10.
The best-performing equity for the session was Abbey Mortgage Bank, which gained 9.26 per cent to N5.90, Zichis went up by 8.91 per cent to N16.99, Wema Bank expanded by 8.80 per cent to N34.00, NPF Microfinance Bank soared by 8.19 per cent to N5.68, and Coronation Insurance grew by 7.27 per cent to N2.66.
It was observed that the profit-taking was mainly from banking stocks, as the index shed 6.49 per cent. The consumer goods sector lost 0.41 per cent, and the energy counter depreciated by 0.24 per cent.
However, the industrial goods space improved by 0.85 per cent, and the insurance segment appreciated by 0.15 per cent.
But at the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) slipped by 2,120.20 points to 223,602.29 points from 225,722.49 points, and the market capitalisation shrank by N1.365 trillion to N143.970 trillion from N145.335 trillion.
A total of 678.2 million shares worth N44.1 billion were traded in 82,838 deals on Monday compared with 627.6 million shares valued at 44.5 billion transacted in 55,232 deals last Friday, representing a drop in the trading value by 0.90 per cent, and a surge in the trading volume and number of deals by 8.06 per cent and 49.98 per cent, respectively.
Zenith Bank was at the zenith of the activity chart yesterday with 76.1 million units sold for N9.5 billion. Wema Bank traded 49.9 million units worth N1.7 billion, Access Holdings exchanged 39.1 million units valued at N1.1 billion, Tantalizers transacted 30.0 million units worth N113.9 million, and AIICO Insurance traded 28.3 million units valued at N118.3 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has ramped up efforts to secure its oil-rich waters and curb maritime crime, deploying significant naval assets under Exercise Obangame Express 2026 to protect critical energy infrastructure and trade routes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Flagging off the exercise in Onne, Rivers State, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the exercise is central to safeguarding economic assets and sustaining investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“The safer maritime environment has enhanced investor confidence, increased shipping activities and supports the Federal Government’s drive towards a sustainable blue economy,” he said in a statement.
The multinational exercise, coordinated with the United States Africa Command, focuses on combating oil theft, piracy, illegal trafficking and other threats that directly impact Nigeria’s oil revenues and regional trade flows.
The focus on maritime security comes amid persistent concerns over crude oil theft and supply chain disruptions, which continue to undermine Nigeria’s production capacity.
Mr Abbas emphasised that coordinated regional efforts remain the most effective response to evolving threats.
“OBANGAME EXPRESS provides a unique opportunity for participating nations to train together, operate together and build the trust necessary for real-time coordination,” he said.
He added that no country can independently secure its maritime domain, stressing the need for sustained partnerships to protect the Gulf’s strategic energy corridor.
Also, the Commander, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral CD Okehie, said the operation reflects a strategic shift toward protecting high-value maritime assets.
“The Gulf of Guinea serves as a major global sea lane of commerce, making it indispensable not only to regional economies but also to international trade,” he noted.
According to him, the Navy’s deployment of 10 ships, helicopters and special forces is designed to strengthen surveillance, interdiction and rapid response capabilities.
With Nigeria’s offshore assets and export routes forming a backbone of national revenue, the exercise signals a renewed push to tighten security, reduce losses and stabilise the broader oil and gas ecosystem.
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