Rice intensification uplifts Mvomero rice farmers

Mvomero farmers participating in a system of rice intensification (SRI) have doubled production from the previous four tones per hectare to nine tones following intensive training by the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).

The project based on participatory validation and upscaling of systems of rice intensification in the district is organized by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).

Speaking during monitoring and evaluation of different projects in the district, a farmer from Mkindo village, Athumani Kazumba said that the project has proved effective and efficient in seeds and water management in their rice farms.

“We started in 2012, and since then days of planting rice seeds have reduced from 21 days to only eight days, reduced amounts of rice seeds and decreased water utilization in our fields,” he said.

  A peasant, Costa Kongo commended initiatives being taken by the government saying if COSTECH injected more funds into the project to reach many farmers, the district would attain food self-sufficiency.

“We have participated in many projects, but many never produced the desired results, but through SRI many farmers see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

For her part, Stamili Kassimu said urged the government to give priority to women especially the elderly so that they benefit from the project.

However, the farmers said there was a need to improve the district’s irrigation infrastructure to scale up production, while ensuring reliable markets for the farmers.

“We have received education on SRI but due to its importance there should be deliberate efforts to train other farmers so they can raise rice productivity and income.

Commenting on the project, Jackson Kimodi from the Mvomero district council said that the farmers should make sure that they comply with rules stipulated by ensuring that their irrigation systems are clean throughout the rice growing season.

“What we are doing here is part of Big Results Now (BRN) because through SRI, we have enabled the farmers to increase production from four to nine tons per hectare,” he said.

The National Coordinator of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), Tanzania chapter operating under COSTECH, said that there are 56 projects funded by COSTECH through public funds.

“These projects are implemented by local scientists using government funds. Many of these projects are doing well. We are also taking it as a positive challenge for some few projects that have not proved successful. For us it is a learning process so that we can improve on the results,” he said.

COSTECH is coordinating 56 projects from 30 research institutes and universities countrywide, he added.