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SRI (System of Rice Intensification)
Rice is the staple food in many countries of Africa and constitutes a major part of the diet in many others. During the past three decades the crop has seen a steady increase in demand and its growing importance is evident given its important place in the strategic food security planning policies of many countries. With the exception of a few countries which have attained self-sufficiency in rice production, rice demand exceeds production in most countries and large quantities of rice are imported to meet demand - at huge expense in terms of hard currency.
Southern Africa
The total available rice in the Southern African market is 278 700 tonnes, of which 69.2 percent is imported (192 900 tonnes) and 30.8 percent (85 800 tonnes) is produced locally. Mozambique is the biggest producer in the region (65 400 tonnes, accounting for 76.2% of production). Zimbabwe imports all its rice. Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique and Angola, although producing small quantities of rice, import negligible amounts, since maize is their main staple.
Rice is an important ingredient of household food basket,yet the yield level has been low and uncertain in Zimbabwe. Land and water resources are being degraded. Andtherefore, some innovative rice production practice is needed to meet its growing demand due to population pressure. Under this scenario, the System of RiceIntensification (SRI) may be an appropriate practice to produce more food with less input.
Pro-Africa introduced SRI in 2009 as a pilot project in Matabeleland South in 3 gardens and extended the project in 2010/11 up to 5 projects. First hand experiences under the climate, soil and water (irrigation) conditions in Matabeleland South is showing very good results. The implementation processes and approaches will change with each year and depended on the technical adaptation of SRI practices to the Matabeleland South environment, farmers’ and technicians' know-how of the SRI technical requirements, collaboration with Pro-Africa’s extension, research and the funding level.
About SRI
The (SRI) originated in Madagascar in the early 1980s and has spread today to 40 countries worldwide. SRI increases rice yields significantly while reducing requirements of seeds, water and chemical inputs. SRI is a planting method based on the principles of using single, young transplants at wide spacing, the application of compost, mechanical weed control and intermittent irrigation.
How does it work?
Intensification
Beside the introduction of SRI a long-term strong and sustainable production base is necessary to increase rice yield per hectare in all the ecosystems. This would involve the adoption of improved research and extension packages. Efforts should be made to breed varieties to fit the major production ecologies and meet the taste of the consumer.
dryland rice ecosystem is the most extensive rice ecosystem in Africa (60% of rice area) and it has consequently great influence on the total rice output. However, the availability of water through irrigation in Matabeleland South will allow a sustainable and extensive rice culture production.
- practise rice-based cropping systems including grain legumes to improve soil organic matter content and fertility;
- adopt erosion control methods to prevent rapid soil degradation;
- adopt water-harvesting methods to reduce the risk of drought and enhance crop yields; and
- generate drought-tolerant, high-yielding upland rice varieties.
Technology transfer (extension)
Active extension services are key requirements for the dissemination of developed technologies to rice farmers. Therefore, new technologies should be disseminated effectively and rapidly by extension services so that they can be adopted by farmers. Despite the intervention of NGOs and aid agencies, the rate of technology adoption is still low for various reasons: lack of logistic support; inadequate training; unattractive technical packages; poor work ethics; and the very high farmer/extension agent ratio (up to 1 000: 1). It is thus evident that in order to ensure rapid mass adoption of improved technologies, extension services must be made more effective by addressing these constraints.
Research and extension
Funding, including support from regional and international agencies
The microfinancing requirements of farmers and other entrepreneurs, such as rice processors and traders, should come from local financial intermediaries, and credit facilities from these institutions should be affordable for the applicants in terms of interest and fees. Governments should facilitate this process with sound fiscal and monetary policies to reduce inflation and attendant interest rates. High investment activities in research and extension, irrigation and the opening-up of new areas (e.g. valley bottoms) need support from bilateral and multilateral institutions. Support must be sought from both regional and international agencies responsible for financial services and research work. Agencies, such as the ADB (Asian Development Bank), AFD (African Fund for Development), World Bank, European Union, USAID (United States Agency for International Development), JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency), CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency), DFID (Department for International Development), DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency), UNDP (United Nations Development Fund) and FAO, should be approached for assistance. The African Union and subregional organizations, such as ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and other regional groups, should not be left out. On the research front, National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) must establish a networking of collaborative research through organizations such as CORAF, SACCAR, ASARECAand WARDA.
For further information Pro-Africa selected information through the internet:
Agreement IRRI End of Season Evaluation Farmers Experimentation Field Preparation before teh start fo the rice growing season Getting aqcauinted with weeds of rice Harvest and post-harvest Insects of rice cropping Integrated rice disease management Integrated soil fertility mangement Integrated weed management Knowing the rice plant Major diseases in rice Obtain rice from IRRI Plant nutrients Reference 1: Selecting PLAR IRM sites Reference 2: Hydrological network inland lowland Reference 3: Different types of soil Reference 4: Iron Toxicity Reference 5: Water control structures Reference 6: The seasonal workplan Reference 7: Field water management Rice pictures Rice stem borers Safe and correct use of herbicides Seedling nursery Selecting a variety Standard materinal transfer agreement Transplanting Zambia national plant genetic resources
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