TITLE:
Adopting the system of rice intensification (SRI) in Tanzania: A review
AUTHORS:
Zacharia Katambara, Frederick C. Kahimba, Henry F. Mahoo, Winfred B. Mbungu, Fikiri Mhenga, Paul Reuben, Muyenjwa Maugo, Anthony Nyarubamba
KEYWORDS:
System of Rice Intensification; Rice Production; Paddy; Alternate Wetting and Drying
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.4 No.8,
August
9,
2013
ABSTRACT:
The demand of water for irrigation purposes in Tanzania outstrips the
amount of water available for irrigation and other demands. On the other hand,
the demand for more food to feed the growing population is increasing, calling
for the need to have technologies and farming practices that ensure more food
production while minimizing water uses. Rice is among cereal crops grown in
Tanzania, and it can assist in meeting the food demand for the nation. Majority
of rice producers in Tanzania and Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA) are subsistence
farmers and they practice continuous flooding, a technique that requires much
water. In addition to using large amounts of water, the conventional practices
of growing paddy using local varieties transplanting process are implemented
when seedlings are more than 21 days old, and 3-4 seedlings are transplanted
in one hole. This practice results in low yields, and low water productivity
and water use efficiency. The system of rice intensification (SRI) on the
other hand, is a promising new practice of growing paddy rice that has proven
to be very effective in saving water and increasing rice yields in many parts
of the world. SRI practice is spreading fast and it has been adopted in many
countries. The SRI practice has been introduced in Tanzania during the last 3 years as
such it is not widely practiced. This paper reviews SRI practice at global, regional and country (Tanzania) level, and evaluates the challenges, opportunities
and implications for its adoption in Tanzania. Knowledge gaps at each level
have been identified and discussed as well as suggestions for researchable
areas.