The U.N.'s Common Fund for Commodities and the Africa Rice Center, or Warda, has decided to assist Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic in increasing their domestic rice output through a $4.5 million grant.

A new breed of rice is likely to be introduced into the three countries will more than double the amount of rice produced per hectare with Warda supervising the project by providing technical assistance for growing, harvesting and handling to ensure the rice meets international standards.

Cameroon produces around 75,000 MT of rice a year, while it imports around 400,000 MT, according to CFC data. Chad produces around 102,000 MT of rice a year and imports around 34,000 MT. The Central African Republic produces around 14,000 MT a year and imports about 3,000 MT, the data shows.