Evaluation Of Seed Quality Along The Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Value Chain In CAMEROON, Case Of: NDOP, TONGA AND EBOLOWA Rice Farmer’s Seeds

The scarcity of good quality seeds in Cameroon is among rice and is one of the main causes of consumers’ preference for imported rice. This work, done at the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) Nkolbisson was aimed at evaluating the quality of ri germination rate, moisture content, and seed purity were performed using the following varieties: NERICA L 42, Tox 4133 and Tainan from Ndop; NERICA 8, NERICA L 56, CICA 8, Toubem from Tonga and finally NERICA 8, NERICA 3 from Ebolowa. Results showed that varieties from Tonga exhibited a good germination rate and varietal purity; Only NERICA L 56 (98.7%) exhibited a better specific purity while cholera (99.03%) an varietal purity. Varieties from Ndop; Tox 4133 showed a poor germination rate (84.66%) and NERICA L better germination rate and moisture NERICA 8. None of the seed samples met all the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development minimum requirements for quality seeds; inappropriate farming practices during pre management by farmers could be the cause, thus a rationale for the preference of imported rice over local rice. Some production and conservation practices have been recommended, so as to improve on farmers’ rice seeds in these localities. the major constraints in producing quality ce farmers’ seeds in the localities of Ndop, Tonga, and Ebolowa. Standard tests of d NERICA -42 for specific purity (94.43%) and varietal purity (79.26%). Ebolowa varieties had content but with poor specific purity and germination rate for Cholera and -8 (99.6%) showed a better -and post-harvest