Title: Does the system of rice intensification a panacea to smallholder rice farmers? A case of Mkindo village irrigation scheme in Tanzania

Authors: Asheri Mwidege; Zacharia Katambara

Addresses: Mbeya University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box131, Mbeya, Tanzania ' Mbeya University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box131, Mbeya, Tanzania

Abstract: Rice production represents a way of life of the livelihood of majority of smallholder rice farmers constrained with inadequate water for irrigation. However, little information was available on the production pattern of rice for SRI and non-SRI participants. This study investigated whether the SRI practice is a panacea to smallholder farmers of rice at Mkindo village irrigation scheme. Experimental research design and expert sampling plan was employed in which structured interview schedule was used to collect cross sectional data of 100 SRI and non-SRI participants. Descriptive statistics information was obtained using SPSS package. Surveyed findings showed that SRI and non-SRI participants harvested 0.75 to 13.75 tons per ha and 0.5 to 8.0 tons per ha, respectively. It was therefore concluded that SRI technology in rice production is a panacea to smallholder farmers as it leads to high yield. The study recommends on the adopt SRI technology by non-SRI participants to maximise their earnings.

Keywords: system of rice intensification; SRI; optimal rice yield; conventional rice cultivation; smallholder farmers; SRI participants; non-SRI participants.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2021.119707

International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, 2021 Vol.2 No.2, pp.138 - 156

Received: 29 May 2020
Accepted: 24 Aug 2020
Published online: 16 Dec 2021 *

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