THE SYSTEM OF RICE THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION (SRI) INTENSIFICATION (SRI)

IN RWANDAIN RWANDA

Presented by Katono Ouma, on Presented by Katono Ouma, on behalf of Jonas Bavugamenshi,behalf of Jonas Bavugamenshi,

National Coordinator of Union of National Coordinator of Union of Rice Cooperatives in Rwanda Rice Cooperatives in Rwanda

(UCORIRWA)(UCORIRWA)

Rice Farming in RwandaRice Farming in Rwanda

►Rice production was introduced into Rice production was introduced into

Rwanda in the 1950s. Rwanda in the 1950s. ►Total area exploited increased from Total area exploited increased from

3,549 ha in 2000 to3,549 ha in 2000 to currently 12,000 ha currently 12,000 ha ►62,000 farmers operate under 55 62,000 farmers operate under 55

cooperatives, with average 0.2 ha of cooperatives, with average 0.2 ha of land per household land per household

SRI IN RWANDA SRI IN RWANDA ► SRI was introduced in Rwanda in 2006, SRI was introduced in Rwanda in 2006, beginning with the beginning with the

training of 50 rice producers and Rwandan technicians in training of 50 rice producers and Rwandan technicians in SRI concepts and methods by two Malagasy experts from SRI concepts and methods by two Malagasy experts from Association Tefy Saina with the support of IFAD.Association Tefy Saina with the support of IFAD.

► In 2007, SRI was introduced into PAPSTA pilot zones of In 2007, SRI was introduced into PAPSTA pilot zones of Kibaza (Bugesera district) and Rwabutazi (Kirehe district) Kibaza (Bugesera district) and Rwabutazi (Kirehe district) with assistance from UCORIRWA. with assistance from UCORIRWA. In Kibaza, rice yields have increased from 4 t/ha to at In Kibaza, rice yields have increased from 4 t/ha to at

least 6 t/ha, with a total production of 135 t in 2008. least 6 t/ha, with a total production of 135 t in 2008. In Rwabutazi, rice yields have increased from 4 t/ha to In Rwabutazi, rice yields have increased from 4 t/ha to

at least 7 t/ha with a total production of 401 t in 2008. at least 7 t/ha with a total production of 401 t in 2008. ► Average yield per farmer in the pilot zones has increased Average yield per farmer in the pilot zones has increased

from 3.5t/ha to 7 t/ha with a maximum of 8t/ha.from 3.5t/ha to 7 t/ha with a maximum of 8t/ha.► The quantity of seeds used has decreased, from 80 kg/ha The quantity of seeds used has decreased, from 80 kg/ha

to 6-8 kg per ha.to 6-8 kg per ha.

BASIC PRINCIPLES ADOPTEDBASIC PRINCIPLES ADOPTED

►The utilization of quality seeds (seed The utilization of quality seeds (seed selection).selection).

►The utilization of natural fertilizer The utilization of natural fertilizer (compost).(compost).

►Transplanting of seedlings not more Transplanting of seedlings not more than 15 days old. than 15 days old.

►Weeding done manually with simple Weeding done manually with simple weeding implement (rotary hoe).weeding implement (rotary hoe).

PREPARATION OF RICE PREPARATION OF RICE FIELDSFIELDS

SELECTION OF QUALITY SELECTION OF QUALITY SEEDSSEEDS

PREPARATION OF SEED BEDS @ PREPARATION OF SEED BEDS @ National Agricultural Research Institute National Agricultural Research Institute

(ISAR)(ISAR)

TRANSPLANTING OF TRANSPLANTING OF SEEDLINGSSEEDLINGS

FARMERS TENDING THEIR FIELDSFARMERS TENDING THEIR FIELDS

USE OF PESTICIDESUSE OF PESTICIDES

CONSTRAINTS OF THE APPLICATIONCONSTRAINTS OF THE APPLICATIONOF SRI IN RWANDAOF SRI IN RWANDA

► Access to seeds Access to seeds ► Irrigation water control Irrigation water control ► Marketing – farmers had difficulty Marketing – farmers had difficulty

selling their larger SRI crop in 2008 selling their larger SRI crop in 2008 ► Replication of SRI is being supported Replication of SRI is being supported

in the Rural Sector Support Project in the Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP) in marshlands and countrywide(RSSP) in marshlands and countrywide