SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION TRANSFORMING LIVES IN TANZANIA

Описание: Rice production in United Republic of Tanzania is increasingly becoming important to the national economy. It is among the major sources of employment and income for many farming households. Rice is mainly produced by small-scale farmers. While Tanzania meets 98% of its own rice demand, rice productivity in the country is low. This is mainly aggravated by the impacts of climate change, inadequate use of improved technologies, low levels of involvement of the private sector in the rice value chain, poor irrigation infrastructure, limited involvement of youth in agriculture and limited knowledge among small-scale farmers on executing good agricultural practices.

Rice production in Tanzania is practiced in both lowland and upland areas with 29.4 million hectares having potential for irrigated rice. However, only 461,326 hectares of this land is currently under production.

Thanks to the Government of Venezuela, FAO implemented the Partnership for Sustainable Rice System Development in Africa project, which facilitated the introduction of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a means of addressing current constraints. SRI changes the agronomy, water and nutrient management of rice, increasing its productivity. SRI techniques encourage the use of wider spacing between seedlings, thereby using fewer seeds and less water. The project is being implemented in three districts namely Kilombero, Kilosa and Mvomero in Morogoro region covering five irrigation schemes.

http://www.fao.org/in-action/morogoro...