Rice is the staple food for more than 2.5 billion people in developing countries with very high annual consumption exceeding in some countries 100 kg per capita. The African continent has become one of the main import poles for rice with about one quarter (1/4) of world imports because of its low production, which barely reaches 1.5% of world production. Following the agricultural calendar and in accordance with studies conducted at INERA - Yangambi on the probable periods of sowing rice in Yangambi, it appears that rice can be sown from March 15 to October 15 during the year and mainly in the wetlands of the tropics. A variety of rice, so that it can express its genetic potential, must benefit from the maximum of water and light so that one can hope for optimal yields. It is in this context that this study was conducted and with the objective of contributing to the search for the appropriate sowing dates for short and medium cycle rice varieties that would help farmers maximize their income. Depending on each sowing date, observations were made on the number of panicles per m², the number of grains per panicle, the length of the panicle, the weight of a thousand grains and the yield. The results showed that optimal planting times for rainfed rice are good when short-cycle and when rice is planted from 16 May and from 15 June for medium-cycle rice varieties. Some short and / or medium cycle varieties are favorable for sowing dates around June 29th. The benefit from this relatively late sowing of June is alluding to bird damage and so the varieties that adapt to these dates have been identified.

Increased production is one of the essential elements in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. In DR Congo, rice is both a food and an economic issue. To keep nourishing an increasing population, the increase of rice yield through the development of improved varieties and cultivation techniques would enable this population to have enough food. With this in mind, a study was undertaken at INERA YANGAMBI to compare the yield of rice varieties sown traditionally by farmers in Yangambi by at the onset and at the end of the A season in order to minimize losses due to birds. Yield components (panicle length, number of panicles per m², number of grains per panicle and weight of thousand grains) and yield were evaluated. Results revealed that the performance components taken together influenced performance. The optimum yield of short and medium cycle varieties was obtained on June 15th and 29th. Short cycle varieties can be sown from June 15th and medium cycle varieties at the end of June. From this study it can be remembered that the farmer practice of sowing rice in June is to be encouraged.