Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Rice farmers and extension officers in Kilosa District, Morogoro region have commended the initiative by Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) to boost rice production in the country through implementation of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) project that addresses the principles to withstands the effect of climate change in rice farming.

The SRI project that introduces the application of rice mat nursery among its features it reduces production costs while productivity doubles that of the conventional farming with different from 30 kilograms to 2-3 kilograms of seeds per acre. 

The training was conducted recently to almost 750 farmers and 16 extensions officers   from five irrigation schemes; Chanzuru, Rudewa, Ilonga, Kilangali and Mvumi all based in Kilosa District.

SRI is a combination of rice irrigation farming technologies by changing the coordination system of plants, soil, water use and nutrients with the aim of increasing productivity.

Speaking after the practical training on the preparation of rice mat nursery Josephina Petro, rice farmer at Chanzuru Irrigation Scheme said that the offered SRI training aimed at equipping them with new skills of rice production that emphasises the use of few seeds, little water while doubling productivity.

Godfrey Paschal who is also rice farmer from Ilonga Irrigation Scheme said that with SRI principles he learned that small land can be used to cultivate rice productively rather than farming huge piece of land with yields remains low.

Commenting about the training, an Agricultural officer from Kilosa District Elina Dastan, commended the training by stressing that rice mat nursery reduces both farming costs and hardship while increasing yields.

Elina further urged farmers to implement the SRI cultivation so that they can change their lives and ultimately contribute to the national income through agricultural sector.

Sharing her testimony, Miss. Anna Maganga a farmer from Mkula Irrigation Scheme in Kilombero District, said that previously she used to farm five acres of land but ended up harvesting five to six sacks of paddy per acre but after she trained on SRI she currently cultivates only two acres and harvests 20 sacks of paddy per acre.

Project coordinator and researcher from TARI, Dr. Atugonza Bilaro said that during its two out of three years of implementing the project in Kilombero District in Morogoro, Chalinze-Coast region, Bunda in Mara, Iringa Dc in Iringa region, and Mbarali in Mbeya the project has successfully attained its goal, prompting its expansion to Kilosa.

SRI project is implemented by TARI in collaboration with Norwegian institute of Bio Economy research (NIBIO) and Swamination Research Institute (MSSRF) situated in Indian.