SRI International Network and Resources Center

TANZANIA

Summary

SRI was introduced to Tanzania in 2009 by Kilombero Plantations Limited in an effort to increase the country's food security. As of 2013, SRI is being practiced in Mkindo and Dakawa in Morogoro region, and in the Mwanza and Kilimanjaro Regions (see progress section for details). A project to introduce climate smart agriculture in Kiroka village in Morogoro Region that was initiated by FAO and Sokoine University in 2011 has resulted in tripling some farmers' yields with SRI.

Rice is the second most cultivated food and commercial crop in Tanzania after maize, with a cultivated area of about 681,000 ha, which represents 18% of the cultivated land. Yields are generally very low (1-1.5 tons/ha.) as most is grown with traditional methods. In addition, 71% of the rice is grown under rainfed conditions. About half of the country’s rice is grown by 230,000 smallholder farmers in the Tabora, Shinyanga and Morogoro regions of the Central Corridor. With large amounts of suitable, unfarmed, arable land, a high rate of self-sufficiency and current low yields, the Government of Tanzania hopes to increase rice production and become a large net-exporter of rice for the region and for Africa. (See rice sector strategy). SRI is one of the strategies being investigated to improve small-holder rice production, both by the government and the private sector. The largest SRI effort in Tanzania to date is associated with the Kilombero Plantations Limited (KPL), which reportedly has 5,000 ha under rain-fed cultivation, 215 ha under irrigation, with the capacity to annually produce 33,000 tons of milled rice and 5,000 tons of rotation crops (beans and pulses.) KPL implemented SRI methods to lift smallholder yields from 3 tons/ha to over 5 tons/ha, and by 2014 tripled the average production of 6,500 farmer families living within 50 km of KPL. In 2015, this increased to 7,700 families.

Over 45 scholarly works, including 27 journal articles and 11 theses on SRI have been published on SRI in Tanzania between 2012 and 2022. (See research section below to access abstracts and papers). Many were done by researchers at Sokoine University and Mbeya University of Science and Technology and indicate positive SRI evaluations and potential in the Morogoro region. A Master's thesis was completed in 2012 by M. Kombe on SRI in the Mkindo Irrigation Scheme in Morogoro and a PhD dissertation in 2016 by Patrick Bell on the Lower Moshi Irrigation Scheme, and several after that. A recent video on FAO promotion of SRI in Morogoro includes the perspectives on SRI from SRI farmers and other stakeholders. Several sizeable government projects that have included SRI with good success and affiliated with the Global Agriculture & Food Security Program (GAFSP), World Bank and FAO are reviewed below. A 2022 study in Kilombero showed that irainfed SRI had high Agricultural Water Productivity due to high yields and low water use while providing improtant downstream ecosystem integrity.

Progress and Activities

2022 Updates

• NIBIO and TARI to Focus on SRI in Climate-Smart Rice Production Project in Tanzania

  [December 2, 2022] On November 28, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) signed a collaborative agreement with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) for a project to promote of the climate-smart agriculture technology using System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The aim of the Norad-funded project is institutional capacity building on climate-smart and resource efficient rice production systems to benefit Tanzanian smallholders. Three major outcomes are expected from the SRI Tanzania project. These are 1) improved sustainable rice productivity of smallholders in rice growing districts, 2) improved smallholder farmer integration, including women and youth, in SRI practices, and 3) strengthened institutional collaborations as far as climate resilient rice and resource efficiency are concerned. The project will target at least 4,000 rice farmers in the five districts Bunda, Kibaba, Kilombero, Mbarali and Iringa, along with the districts’ irrigation schemes. [See full article on NIBIO website for details.]

• Rainfed SRI Shows Superior Agricultural Water Productivity and Provides Downstream Ecosystem Integrity

  [October 30, 2022] A article by Sigalla et al in the journal Water reports on an assessment of variation in marginal productivity value of water in paddy farming systems in times of water stress. The study has assessed agricultural water productivity (AWP) values for paddy farming in terms of both physical (Kg/m3) and economic (US$/m3). A residual imputation method was used to isolate the marginal productivity value of water in six paddy farming systems viz. the conventional transplant and flooding system (CTFS), the system of rice intensification (SRI), and the Kilombero Plantation Limited (KPL) mechanized system. Findings showed that rainfed systems have good (AWP), leading the authors to recommend a rollout of rainfed SRI to secure local food security and downstream ecosystem services, although they believe that adoption of SRI will require intensive demonstration that needs public financing.

  The results showed that SRI systems have better AWP due to high yields and low water uses. In addition, it has been found that irrigation does not have a substantial leap in harvests in the wetland areas being studied. Hence, rainfed systems score better values, especially SRI, providing a plural benefit that includes downstream ecosystem integrity. Furthermore, due to early planting in rainfed SRI, farmers secure competitive market prices in early harvests hence better economic water productivity (EWP). The authors suggest that farmers should be trained and encouraged to practice SRI (especially rainfed ones), which secures better AWP and serves more for downstream uses, reducing water use conflicts and sustaining the ecosystem. Since self-adoption has been too slow, policymakers need to allocate enough budget for an adequate time of demonstration and design rewarding schemes for efficient systems while also exercising law enforcement for inefficient ones. [See full article in Water for more information as this article has a number of other conclusions not reported here.]

• Kilombero Study Considers Influence of Water Management Practices for Rice on Soil Organic Carbon and Nutrients

  [May 10, 2022] Water use management in rice farming is increasingly important due to increasing water scarcity and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change challenges. A 2022 article in Agronomy by Alavaisha et al presents results of research regarding on-farm potential response of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorous (TP) to water management practices in rice farming within the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Soil samples were collected from three villages at four depths (0–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) and tested with four water management regimes [traditional flooding (rainfed) without intensification; traditional flooding (rainfed) involving SRI; alternative wetting and drying (AWD) involving SRI for one cropping season; abandoned fields (fallow); and AWD involving SRI for two cropping seasons] to see their impact on SOC, TN, and TP. The authors conclude that water management practice that involves AWD with SRI for one cropping season is a plausible approach for maintaining high SOC and TN in small-scale rice farming systems. This not only limits CO2 emissions and nitrogen leaching, but also conserves water. [See full Agronomy article.]

2020

• Better Yields and More Resilience to Climate Change with SRI, but Some Reluctance To Adoption

  [December 15, 2020] Environment for Development (EfD) researchers have studied how SRI can increase crop productivity while requiring less water and fewer seeds and producing crops that are more resilient to extreme weather events, pests, and disease. The findings appear in a World Development article by Sarr et al, and are summarized on the EfD website. The study, which took place in Kilombero, a major rice-growing region in Tanzania, also looked into why some farmers are reluctant to adopt SRI methods despite all the advantages. Mare Sarr suggests that SRI requires a lot of man-hours for activities such as field preparation, setting up and taking care of the nursery, sorting the seeds, planting, and weeding; all these activities may require farmers to hire more workers, which can be costly for a small family farm. However, he notes that "farmers can benefit greatly from this method as there is also evidence that, as farmers learn the new techniques, it becomes labor-saving after some 4-5 years. ...[and] if they are not convinced that they will benefit, they don’t want to make such a radical change.” Another obstacle is that a variant of the SRI method introduced in Tanzania requires modern, improved seeds and chemical fertilizers. That requires an upfront cost that may be significant for poor farmers.

  So, what could policymakers do to encourage farmers to adopt SRI? “Success relies a lot on training and extension services. Government agencies should provide help and training and also encourage networking and cooperation between farmers”, says Sarr. “To be truly motivated to switch to this method, you also need to be fully aware of the impacts of climate change. So, investing in easily available technologies for weather reporting would be very valuable”. [See the EfD summary article and World Development article for complete information.]

• SUA Researchers Want New Rice Farming System to Reach Farmers

  [October 27, 2020] Researchers from the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) have challenged the ministry of agriculture to introduce the System of Rice Intensification across the country to improve yields as well as farmers’ welfare. According to an IPP Media article, Dr. Devothe Kilave (right), the University's senior researcher on gender and agriculture, relayed that studies indicate that farmers trained in SRI methods have increased their harvests and some are now engaging in commercial rice farming. “The ministry should come up with a strategy to introduce SRI across the country; this will benefit farmers and the nation. The technology is likely to enhance productivity, hence food security,” she noted in the article. According to Kilave, rice farmers who were trained on SRI harvested more by 8.7 percent compared to those who did not attend the training. While only 45 percent of farmers practiced the system of rice intensification in 2016/2017, this has increased to 61.6 percent. SRI enabled farmers to harvest 2.9 tonnes/acre of rice as opposed to the previous 2.3 tonnes. [See full IPP article.]

• Research Articles Reveal Clues to SRI's Success and Adoption in Tanzania

  [November 10, 2020] Kadigi et al published an article entitled "An economic comparison between alternative rice farming systems in Tanzania using a Monte Carlo Simulation approach" in the journal Sustainability. The objective was to assess the economic feasibility of alternative rice farming systems operating in Tanzania while considering risk analysis for decision-makers with different risk preferences to make better management decisions. The rice farming systems in this study comprise rice farms using traditional practices and those using some or all of the recommended system of rice intensification (SRI) practices. The overall results show 2% and zero probability of net cash income (NCI) being negative for partial and full SRI adopters, respectively. The statistics for improved seed and fertilizers did not fare nearly as well. The authors concluded that, despite climate variability in Tanzania, "it is still possible for rice farmers to increase food production and income through the application of improved technologies, particularly SRI management practices, which have shown a promising future."

  Mwidege and Katmbara published an article entitled Smallholder farmers’ adoption drivers for the system of rice intensification practice: The case of case of Mkindo Irrigation Scheme, Tanzania" in the MUST Journal of Research and Development. The authors conclude that high grain yield and increased return to labour influenced rice farmers to adopt SRI technology. Conversely, lack of training and awareness on SRI technology were key barriers to SRI adoption. It is therefore recommended that smallholder rice farmers should be trained and made aware of high grain yield and increased returns to labour associated with SRI technology so as to adopt it.

• SRI Included in Government Irrigation Plans
  [August 4, 2020] An article in the Daily News relayed that, in a bid to boost agriculture production, the Tanzanian government has managed to increase irrigation areas by 233,715 hectares in the past five years. Irrigation Commission (NIRC), Acting Director General, Daudi Kaali, said "NIRC has been able to rehabilitate 179 irrigation schemes' infrastructures in a period of five years, most of these were supported through System of Rice Intensification (SRI)." NIRC Acting Director for Research Eng Gregory Chigwiye said for the next five years 2020-2025 the plan available would be to build irrigation infrastructure to reach the area of up to 1,000,000 hectares. See full article.]

• Rice Commercialization Study In Kilombero District Concludes that SRI Empowers Women

  [July 15, 2020] An Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) working paper by Jeckoniah et al describes a study in Mngeta Division in Kilombero District to examine to what extent ongoing rice commercialization initiatives contribute to women’s empowerment. Among the findings are that the level of women’s empowerment had a positive linear relationship with an increase in rice commercialisation. The majority of empowered women were therefore categorized in the higher commercialization quintiles of the rice commercialisation index. Women from villages involved in different aspects of SRI were more empowered than those from the medium-scale farmer and small-scale farmers groups, which imply that the different practices of SRI, including training on better agronomic practices, farm management, and group activities, had an empowerment outcome.

• African Development Bank Includes SRI in Reasons for Success

  [July 7, 2020] An African Development Bank (AfDB) project to enhance market infrastructure, value addition and rural finance (MIVARF) that was implemented in Tanzania between 2012 and 2017 increased the incomes of rural producers and traders threefold. An AfDB article reports that with $56.8 million in funding from the African Development Bank, the programme was undertaken in 32 districts with a population of 6.1 million in 1.2 million households. Approximately 78% of beneficiaries reported improved incomes, rising from an average of $41 in 2012 to $133 in 2017. "This increase is attributable to the sale of value-added products, improved access to markets, increased productivity, the use of improved techniques (including the System of Rice Intensification and the use of fertilizer and improved seed) and enhanced capacity to negotiate better prices," explained project team lead Salum Ramadhan. [See full article.]

• Improved Irrigation Infrastructure Crop Production in Mbeya

  [March 20, 2020] According to an article in IPP Media, improvement of irrigation infrastructure in in seven irrigation schemes in the Mbeya Region has increased the area of irrigated land from 49,117 hectares in 2018 to 71,890 hectares this year, thanks to the initiative made by the government through the National Irrigation Commission (NIRC). A senior agricultural officer from NIRC, Mnadi Taribo, said that the commission has been providing training on new methods of rice farming called 'system of rice intensification (SRI)’. According to him, SRI has proved to use limited amount of water, labor-intensive, organic method that uses younger seedlings singly spaced and typically hand weeded with special tools. "The new system of rice farming doubles rice production per acre," Taribo said, citing Madibira scheme as one example whereby through SRI production has increased to 9.3 tonnes per hectare, from 7.2 tonnes per hectare (traditional farming). In Uturo scheme, the SRI method increased production to 13 tonnes per hectare from 5.7 tonnes (traditional farming). He further explained that SRI methods help increase yields by over 30 percent while using 40 percent less water than conventional methods. [See article for details.]

2019

• Joint African Project, a Game-changer for Young Rice Producers in Moro

  [December 4, 2019] A recent article on the IPPMedia website relays information by young rice growers in Kilosa District who are benefiting from the Partnership for Sustainable Rice Systems Development in Sub-Saharan Africa project. The project is aimed at realizing more efficient, sustainable and productive rice systems in Africa to increase food security and enhance sustainable development of the rice food chain among the smallholder farmers especially youth. In Africa, the three-year project was executed in Tanzania, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda. With the use of technologies adopted in the project, Pascal Godfrey reports harvests averaging of 52 sacks of rice per acre while before introduction of the project he was harvesting between 8 and 20 sacks. “To me, this is a miracle. I commend everyone who made this project possible to us as smallholder farmers,” Pascal says. After selling rice, he recalls: “I got 5.2m/-, the money I used to build a modern house (village standard). He describes the project and System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a game changer due to the fact that it triples rice production per acre, which in turn addresses food security and poverty."

  FAO provided technical support to the Government of Tanzania for its development. Project coordinator for FAO, Diomedes Kalisa also admits that life has changed to better for rice growers in areas where the project was implemented; the project supported 2,600 rice farmers. He said that in Tanzania the project, which was implemented in Mvomero, Kilosa and Kilombero districts was managed by the ministry and FAO; each of the participating countries was provided with US$500,000 from the funding country, Venezuela. Rice is a staple crop in many countries including Tanzania, which is the second main rice producer after Madagascar. Representative of FAO to Tanzania, Fred Kafeero, noted that in Tanzania the project contributed to the implementation of the National Strategy for Involvement of Youth in Agriculture of 2016.The project addressed challenges causing low rice productivity in Tanzania through the adoption and upscaling of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) using proven approaches that FAO has tested in many countries. Out of a small group of 150 youth who were trained on SRI in 2017, now more than 600 youth and 2000 adult farmers are scaling up the rice production method in project areas and beyond. The young farmers are now paid by willing farmers (beyond project area) to train them in these new production skills. Production and productivity in project areas has improved whereby the farmers in the project areas have more than doubled their rice production from an average of 20 bags of paddy to more than 40 per acre. [See IPPMedia article for details]
  

• Tanzania’s Expanding Rice Production Project Increases Rice Yields with SRI

  [October 25, 2019] Tanzania’s Government launched the Expanding Rice Production Project (ERPP) in 2015 in an effort to boost rice production, increase food security and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector. The project was featured recently in an article in Borgen Magazine. The ERPP commenced in Morogoro, Tanzania’s mainland, and Zanzibar, in partnership with the Global Agriculture Food and Security Program. It is specifically focused on improving agricultural practices for small-scale farmers and farms run by women. Since its launch, the project has improved rice productivity and irrigation systems, as well as linked small farmers to markets to sell their produce. The increase in income has come through the sustainable seed systems implemented and the improvements in production technology. Through the ERPP, farmers learned a new farming technique called System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which increased rice productivity by changing the management of plants, soil, water and nutrients. In mainland Tanzania, the average number of farmers producing rice paddies rose from 1.8 percent in January 2014 to 5.4 percent as of May 24, 2019 thanks to this program.

  The Expanding Rice Production Project has made an impact on food security by quickly and effectively increasing rice production in Tanzania. More than 13,000 people had benefited from the program as of December of 2017, with rice farmers tripling production. By strengthening agriculture, and increasing food security, smallholder farmers will have less of a risk of falling back into poverty because fluctuation in food prices will decrease. The ERPP is expected to help 165,345 people by the end of the program in late April 2020. [See complete article in Borgen Magazine.]

• FAO's SRI Training for Young Farmers in the Morogoro Region Shows Positive Results

  [March 27, 2019] Three years ago, Rashid Kilula, a 32-year-old farmer from the remote village of Kiroka in Tanzania's Morogoro region, received SRI training from the United Nations Organization for Nutrition and Agriculture (FAO). In an article by Kizito Makoye, Kilula explained that young people have had little knowledge of modern cultivation techniques and many have moved to the cities to look for a job, feeling that they have little access to money and opportunities to influence decisions. Since 2011, the United Nations Organization for Nutrition and Agriculture (FAO) has run an innovative public-private partnership project for young people working in agriculture. The project uses climate-smart agricultural techniques and provides work opportunities and access to markets. Using "The private and public partnership model for youth employment", the FAO wants to focus on these challenges by strengthening human capital and knowledge transfer to create jobs. FAO cooperates with the Tanzania Federation of Cooperatives, a nationwide umbrella organization for 6,000 trade associations including specialized savings and credit associations.

  Kilula and some others in Kiroka have adopted the SRI, which they thinks is especially useful due to the recurring drought. (The Kiroka River, the main water source in the village is increasingly drier due to climate change.) The initiative, which is aimed at men and women between the ages of 18 and 35, has trained over 800 people in facilitation; as a ripple effect, the initiative can reach over 15,200 young people, according to project coordinator Fred Kafeero. The farmers have also expressed new enthusiasm and shown a positive change in their perception of agriculture. Shortly after using SRI, Kilula's crops were three times as large as before - an increase from four to eleven sacks of rice. Now he sells the profits and uses the money he earns to improve his quality of life. In addition, the use of pesticides is reduced or avoided, and we encourage biological control, says Henry Mahoo, a soil and water conservation professor at the Sokoine Agricultural University. With SRI production, a farmer's income can be quadrupled. Last year there was a farmer who produced 11.6 tons per hectare, Mahoo says. Aisha Ali (35) from Kiroka cultivated over 50 sacks of rice per hectare after using SRI. Young people in rural areas who have been trained by the FAO return to their communities with renewed commitment and have learned the new skills of other young people. Kilula is sure he will be able to take care of his family despite declining rainfall. [See complete Bistandsaktuelt article for more information (in Norwegian)]

2018

• Four Journal Articles Added to Tanzania's SRI Research Collection during 2018

  [December 19, 2018] From 2012 to 2018, over twenty journal articles by Tanzanian authors and/or about SRI in Tanzania were published in scientific journals. An additional six theses (three from Sokoine University of Agriculture and two from Ohio State University) were also completed. During 2018, a review article on SRI in Tanzania was authored by M.D. Toungos appeared in the International Journal of Innovative Agriculture & Biology Research; a second review by P. A. Mboyerwa was published on the Potentials of system of rice intensification (SRI) in climate change adaptation and mitigation in the International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research. S.T. Materu subsequently published an article on Water use and rice productivity for irrigation management alternatives in Tanzania in the journal Water. R.J. Kangileet's 2018 article on Socio-economic and field performance evaluation of different rice varieties under System of Rice Intensification in Morogoro, Tanzania appeared in Agricultural Research & Technology: Open Access Journal. All four 2018 articles found that SRI's track record in Tanzania was quite positive and the expansion of SRI had substantial benefits in the future with regard to climate change (especially water saving), increased productivity for rice, and increased economic benefits for farmers.

• New Video about Farmers Progress with SRI in the Morogoro Region

  [December 13, 2018] Rice production in Tanzania is increasingly important to the national economy and is among the major sources of employment and income for many farming households. While Tanzania meets 98% of its own rice demand, rice productivity in the country is low. According to a December YouTube video, 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. With support from the Government of Venezuela, FAO implemented the Partnership for Sustainable Rice System Development in Africa project, which is promoting the System of Rice Intensification as a means of addressing current constraints. The project is being implemented in three districts (Kilombero, Kilosa and Mvomero) in Morogoro region covering five irrigation schemes. The video, entitled SRI: Transforming lives in Tanzania includes perspectives on SRI from farmers and other stakeholders.

• SRI Finds Success (and Disbelief!) in Kilosa

  [January 13, 2018] SRI has been generating considerable interest in a project in Kilosa that is being implemented by FAO in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania. The project, which is funded by the Government of Venezuela through South South Cooperation, trained 150 youths in SRI methods, who went on to recruit over 400 youth and 20 adult farmers. One of these groups won the best seed competition; some of the farmers were hired to provide extension services and seedlings to other farmers. In addition to outlining the information above, a video on YouTube's Kilimo Biashara channel follows the story of a Godfrey Pascal (right), a young farmer from Ilonga, Kilosa, who after a training on SRI, harvested 52 sacks of rice from an area of 1.5 acres. However, his high yields on a small piece of land led others to believe he was using witchcraft to transfer crops from other farmers to his field until the government eventually intervened through the extension officer! Godfrey subsequently emerged as the best farmer of 2017 for Kilosa District and Morogoro region. [See video and FAO article for more information.]

2017

• 2017 Research on SRI in Tanzania

  [December 15, 2017] During 2017, two research publications about SRI in Tanzania were added to the SRI-Rice research database. Included were:
  1) A study by Nakano et al, Impact of training on the intensification of rice farming: evidence from rainfed areas in Tanzania, accepted for publication in the Agricultural Economics on on December 18, 2017. This study investigates the impact of rice production training in a modified version of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) on the performance of small-scale rice farmers in a rain-fed area of Tanzania. Utilizing the plot level variation, the study employed propensity score matching (PSM) to assess the impact of training on technology adoption, productivity, and profitability. The authors also estimated a difference-in-differences model with plot fixed effects using recall panel data covering the periods before and after training. They found that trainees achieved an average paddy yield of 4.7 tons per hectare and rice profit of 191.5 USD per hectare on the plots where new technologies were adopted, which is higher by about 1.3–1.8 tons and 119–137 USD per hectare than on the other plots. The study suggests the high potential of transforming favorable rain-fed rice growing areas in SSA so as to achieve a rice Green Revolution through training in modern input use and improved agronomic practices.
  2) An article by Emmanuel Tumusiime entitled Suitable for whom? The case of system of rice intensification in Tanzania was published in The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. His study examines the suitability of SRI for diverse small-scale farmers in Tanzania by exploring if poor and non-poor farmers adopt the system to a similar extent. The results indicate that middle-wealth group adopt SRI to a greater extent compared to the wealthier and poorer groups. The extent of adoption by wealthier and poorer groups is similar, although constraining circumstances differ. Access to factors that consistently explained adoption: contact with extension services, land with water, and labor, vary systematically among groups.

2016

• Partnership for Sustainable Rice Systems Development in Africa Project to Include SRI Farmer Field Schools

  [November 15, 2016] According to an article in the Daily News, a new project by FAO is set to support Tanzania’s efforts to increase rice production and productivity in two-fold by 2018 through boosting productivity in farming among smallholder farmers. The Partnership for Sustainable Rice Systems Development in Africa project will support efforts to improve domestic rice supply and strengthen the rice market in the country. The project will be implemented in five targeted irrigation schemes in Morogoro region namely Mvumi, Msolwa Ujamaa, Ilonga, Njage and Kigugu/ Mbogo-Komtonga located in Kilosa, Mvomero and Kilombero districts (Morogoro Region). Among other activities, the project will establish junior farmer field schools to upscale the adoption of the System of Rice Intensification.[See Daily News article for details.]

• 2016 Research on SRI in Tanzania

  [October 26, 2016] During 2016, we added several research publications about SRI in Tanzania to the SRI-Rice research database. Included were:
  1) an Ohio State University PhD dissertation by Patrick Bell on the Sustainable Intensification for food security and climate change adaptation in Tanzania. One of the dissertation findings suggests that if SRI is adopted throughout the Lower Moshi Irrigation Scheme (LMIS), there is potential to increase rice production by 4,173 tons/ha due to increased water use efficiency and the ability to increase the area under rice production. This translates into a potential net income in the region of $622,000 annually.
  2) an article by P. Reuben et al in Agricultural Sciences on the influence of transplanting age on paddy yield under the System of Rice Intensification. The results suggested that transplanting at younger age of 8 to 12 days is recommended for Mkindo area in Mvomero District as well as other areas with similar soil conditions and agro ecological characteristics.
  3) an article by Z. Katambara et al entitled Characteristics of rice produced under direct and indirect SRI practices in Chimala Area in Mbarali district Tanzania, which was published in the Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability reported that yields under SRI practices were more than 16 ton/ha against less than 8 ton/ha for conventional rice growing practices. (See paper for discussion of other rice characteristics.)

  In addition to completed research, we found a description of an ongoing Environment for Development (EfD)-sponsored study by Razack Lokina to assess the impact of the System of Rice Intensification on small-holder farmers’ welfare: The study will assess the determinants of partial adoption dynamics and its impact implications on yield and farm profit among rice farmers in Morogoro region of Tanzania.

2015 Updates

• 6,500 Farmer Families Living Within 50 km of Kilombero Plantations Limited (KPL) Triple Yield

  [May 26, 2015] The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), an inclusive, multi-stakeholder partnership was developed to rapidly develop Tanzania’s agricultural potential. In a May 26 IPP Media article, SAGCOT Centre Deputy CEO Jennifer Baarn noted that the Kilombero Plantations Limited (KPL) formed a public-private partnership between Rubada (8.7 percent) and Agrica (91.3 percent), which was established in July 2008 to redevelop Mngeta Farm. Over US $ 45 million of the projected $75 million is being invested.

• KPL reportedly has 5,000 ha under rain-fed cultivation, 215 ha under irrigation, with the capacity to annually produce 33,000 tons of milled rice and 5,000 tons of rotation crops, which include beans and pulses. KPL implemented SRI methods to lift smallholder yields from 3 tons/ha to over 5 tons/ha, and tripled the average production of 6,500 farmer families living within 50 km of KPL. In 2015, this increased to 7,700 families. [...more]

2014

• FAO Climate Change Publication Highlights SRI Successes in Tanzania

  [July 21, 2014] A 2014 FAO publication on adapting to climate change through land and water management in Eastern Africa discusses the results and lessons learned from pilot projects in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. The FAO/Sida-supported pilot project "Strengthening capacity for climate change adaptation in land and water management" proposed an integrated package of approaches that addressed the drivers of vulnerability and targeted climate change impacts. It focused on technologies that improve soil health and facilitate water conservation, the diversification of the sources of livelihood and income, and the strengthening of local institutions. Of the fifty trained farmers during 2012-2013, 74% adopted SRI, with yields climbing to as high as 11.6 t/ha in SRI plots. (Traditional fields averaged 1.65 t/ha). Plants grown with SRI methods also showed increased biomass yield and improved root development, which contributes to increased resilience to drought and longer-term soil health. Due to the success of Tanzania SRI projects described, the authors wrote, "Efforts are required to ensure that most farmers in rice growing areas [in Tanzania] are encouraged to adopt the SRI technology, particularly the improved water management, as this is a beneficial adaptation to increasing weather variability, reduced water supply and the predicted impacts of climate change. SRI technology should also be spread nation-wide by institutionalizing it into district- and national-level plans where irrigation is practiced..." For details, see the FAO/Sida publication.)

• Mvomero Farmers Participating in a SRI project Double Production from Four to Nine Tons per Hectare

  [June 1, 2014] Mvomero farmers participating in the SRI project have doubled production from the previous four tons/ha to nine tons/ha following intensive training by the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). The project, which is based on participatory validation and upscaling of SRI in Mvomero district is organized by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). According to the article in IPP Media, a farmer from Mkindo village, Athumani Kazumba, said that the project, which began in 2012, has proven effective and efficient in seed and water management in their rice farms. Another farmer, Costa Kongo, commended initiatives being taken by the government, and said that if COSTECH injected more funds into the project to reach many farmers, the district would attain food self-sufficiency, and added, "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." For her part, Stamili Kassimu has urged the government to give priority to women especially the elderly so that they benefit from the project. [For more information, see the Gerald Kitabu's article.]

2013

• FAO and Sokoine University of Agriculture Promote SRI and CA to Address Climate Change

  [November 20, 2013] In Kiroka village, located in Tanzania's Morogoro Region, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) began a project to introduce climate smart agricultural techniques, including SRI, three years ago. Of the village's 3000 farmers, 268 joined the project. Because rainfall has lessened and become more erratic over the past several decades, the local rivers have become seasonal, making SRI attractive through eliminating the need to continuously flood rice fields as traditionally done. According to the Inter Press Service article, some farmers have received increased yields with SRI, which has allowed for farmers to sell surplus. FAO is also promoting conservation agriculture in Tanzania in order to reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon sequestration in the soil.

  The FAO project has, according to Henry Mahoo, a professor of agricultural engineering majoring in soil and water conservation at SUA, helped farmers in this village to adapt to changing conditions. A baseline survey conducted by SUA in February 2012 indicated that 95.5 percent of 2,688 farmers in Kiroka were aware of the changes in climate. In an IPS article, he added that "With SRI production [a farmer’s yield] can increase by four times. Last year, we had a farmer who produced 11.6 tonnes per hectare." Mahoo, who is also the soil and water management coordinator on this project, explained that areas in central and southern Tanzania that now receive rainfall would be arid within 50 years. He added "We need to prepare for this future scenario." (see Makoye's IPS article).

• Review Article on SRI in Tanzania Published in Agricultural Sciences Journal

  In August 2013, Katambara et al published a review article on adoption of SRI in Tanzania in the journal Agricultural Sciences. The authors write that SRI was introduced in Tanzania in 2006 by Kilombero Plantations Limited, a company in Morogoro that introduced SRI as a response to the government slogan of "Agriculture First" (Green Revolution) which was intended to support agriculture to increase country's food security. Currently, SRI is being practiced in Mkindo and Dakawa in Morogoro region, and Mwanza and Kilimanjaro Regions. Each of the regions has acquired the technology from either India or Kenya.

  Following successes in implementing SRI in various regions, varying results have been observed. Among them include increased grain yields, water use efficiency, number of panicles, and number of productive tillers. In Mkindo area, for a spacing of 25 cm by 25 cm, the grain yield was 6.3 tons/ha, which was higher than conventional practice, which recorded a yield of 3.83 tons/ha . In the same study the above ground biomass obtained was 10.7 tons/ha for SRI compared to 8.9 tons/ha in conventional practice. In addition, other results from the same area indicated that water use under SRI practice was found to be 1.026 m3/m2 against 2.882 m3/m2 in conventional practice. This suggests that SRI can save water up to 64%. In addition the water productivity obtained ranges from above 0.29 to 0.47 kg/m3. This suggests to the authors that SRI practices are suitable for water-stressed areas in Tanzania.

• First Season SRI Results from Mkindo Field Experiments in Morogoro, Tanzania
  The January 2013 harvest in the Mkindo irrigation scheme in Morogoro Region resulted in grain yields of 7.35, 7.60, and 9.91 tons/ha for spacings of 35 cm x 35 cm, 30 cm x 30 cm, and 25 cm x 25 cm, respectively. Although, a spacing of 25 cm x 25 cm produced the highest grain yield, the researchers suggest that lower spacing are recommended for further investigation of lower seedling spacing should be investigated as well.

2012

• SRI-Rice Undertakes Evaluation and Training at the NAFAKA Project

  The five-year USAID-funded Tanzania Staples Value Chain (NAFAKA) project is being undertaken in partnership with Kilombero Plantations Ltd (KPL), a company that has begun to produce rice on its >5000 ha farm. KPL also collaborates with farmers on SRI in an out-grower scheme, and plans to reach 5000 smallholder farmers with SRI. In 2009, KPL invited Dr. Vinod Goud from the WWF-ICRISAT Project in Hyderabad, India, to establish SRI demonstration plots and train KPL staff and farmers. Beginning with only 15 farmers in 2009/2010, KPL had reached several thousand farmers in over 10 villages as of 2012. In 2011/2012, the NAFAKA project extended the SRI intervention zone to Mlimba, Ifakara North (all is Kilombero District) and to Dakawa in the Mvomero District, with numerous demonstration plots. Erika Styger visited NAFAKA and KPL activities in May 2012 and carried out several trainings as well as project evaluations. (See report for details.)

Reports and Articles
(in chronological order)

• Gulden, Kathrine Torday. 2022. NIBIO and TARI to collaborate on climate-smart rice production system in Tanzania. NIBIO website. December 2. [Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) and Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) will collaborate on project involving 4000 rice farmers in the five districts in Tanzania.
• 2021. Kilimo Shadidi Cha Mpunga Kuongeza Tija Kwa Wakulima. Cute766 website. April 29. [(in Swahili) Sokoine University researcher presents SRI study results in seminar in Tanzania.]
• Jkubania. 2021. Celebrating sustainable agriculture on International Day of Forests. African Wildlife Foundation website. March 20.
• Sarr, et al. 2020. Rice farmers can get better yields and more resilience to climate change. Environment for Development (EfD) website. December 15. [Findings of a SRI research article about Tanzania.]
• 2020. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) recommended to increase productivity. Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) website. October 26. [Researchers at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania recommend nationwide training on SRI.]
• Local government urge to work with development partners [Agriculture Policy Research in Africa (APRA) Country Representative says SRI will benefit farmers, including women. Suggests Local Govt. Authorities work with partners to support SRI.]
  October 22, 2020, Daily News (Tanzania)
• 2020. Irrigation plots increase by 233,715 hectares in five years. Daily New, August 4. [article also carried in AllAfrica]
• 2020. Rice strategic partnership. SAGCOT website. August 2020. [Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) brochure that highlights progress with SRI in Kilombero and Mbeya.]
• Adél, Alexis. 2020. Tanzania: African Development Bank project tripled incomes of rural producers and traders. AfDB group website. July 7.
• 2020. Kilimo shadidi 'System of rice intensification (SRI)' ni mbinu ya kisasa ya inayosaidia wakulima kupata mavuno mengi. April 4. Mtanzania. [Swahili article about SRI in Tanzania]
• 2020. Improved irrigation infrastructure boosts crops' production in Mbeya. IPPMedia. March 19.
• Mwajombe, Kizito K. 2020. Njage Farmers preparing to take rice commercialisation to the next level. Futures Agricultures blog. March 30. [Many rice farmers in Njage village under CWAUNJA, an irrigation scheme farmer association, have been using SRI since 2009 when it was introduced by collective efforts of the district extension services, Kilombero Plantation Limited (KPL), USAID, and others.. Tanzania]
• Smethers, Destinee. 2019. Focused on growth: Rice production in Tanzania. Borgen Magazine, World News section, October 24. [Tanzania’s Expanding Rice Production Project, which promotes SRI, primarily in Morogoro and Zanzibar, is expected to help 165,345 people by the end of the program in late April 2020.]
• 2019. Students become the teachers. FAO website. September 8? [Success in SRI by the Tupendane Youth Group had been introduced to the Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) in Morogoro, Tanzania.] This is an FAO project sponsored by Venezuela!]
• Makoye, Kizito. 2019. Reducing water raises rice yields in Tanzania. Climate Smart Solutions section, SPORE Newsletter, CTA website. July 9. [5-year project in Tanzania's Morogoro region, which is run by Sokoine University of Agriculture with support from FAO, has had good success promoting SRI. 3,000+ farmers in Kidugalo village, eastern Morogoro, have adopted SRI.]
• Makoye, Kizito. 2019. Tanzania: Ny kompetanse løfter unge bønder ut av fattigdom. Bistandsaktuelt website. March 27. (in Norwegian). [Story of young farmers in Koraka village, Morogoro Region, who were trained in SRI methods in FAO program.]
• Price, Samuel. 2019. ‘SRI’ in Kilombero Valley: Potential, misconception and reality. Future Agricultures blog. January 25. [Article about SRI in Tanzania's Kilombero district and some of the issue with Kilombero Plantation Limited (KPL), which has trained over 8,000 smallholder farmers in 10 villages over the past few years.]
• 2018. Morogoro's best farmer. FAO website. September. [See also French version: Le meilleur agriculteur de Morogoro] [Story of a model SRI farmers in Tanzania.]
• Matthew, Moses. 2018. Tanzania: New technology brings fortune Kilosa rice farmers. AllAfrica.com, March 5. [SRI allows paddy farmers to yield 350,000 kg per quarter acre as opposed to the traditional farming method that produces between 150,000 kg and 190,000 kg per quarter acre.]
• Nkonu, Michael. 2017. SUSTAIN’s interest-driven partnerships: a win-win for river flow and farmers’ field. IUCN Water Knowledge Platform. [In order to further improve water use efficiency, SUSTAIN-Africa has introduced SRI to smallholder rice producers in Lake Rukwa Water Basin (LRWB) in Southwestern Tanzania.]
• 2017. TBL, SAGCOT leader advocate efficient water use by manufacturers, IPPmedia, November 9. [SAGCOT chief says SRI has high yields with less water; notes Kilombero Valley success.]
• 2017. Zanzibar Ministry of Agriculture to reduce rice importation. Coastweek, October 14. [SRI noted the secret behind increased rice production in the archipelago made up of Unguja and Pemba islands with 1.4 million people]
• 2017. Tanzania goes for Climate Smart Agriculture. AllAfrica, September 6. [similar article in East African Business News] Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development said that urgent action was needed to build resilience to climate impacts.. need to make farmers aware of the need to adopt water harvesting means, water storage investments and adoption of SRI by smallholder farmers .]
  
• Wambu, Onyekachi. 2016. African Economic Conference closes with call for agriculture to be at the centre of Africa’s development. NewAfrican. December 7. (Article also on the ADB website). [Paper on SRI in Tanzania wins top paper at conference.]
• 2016. FAO, Dar link up to double rice production. Daily News, November 15. [The Partnership for Sustainable Rice Systems Development in Africa project will be implemented in five targeted irrigation schemes in Morogoro region namely Mvumi, Msolwa Ujamaa, Ilonga, Njage and Kigugu/ Mbogo-Komtonga located in Kilosa, Mvomero and Kilombero districts (Morogoro Region). Among other activities, It will establish junior farmer field schools to upscale the adoption of the System of Rice Intensification.]
• Marwa, Bill. 2016. A system of rice intensification has changed my life. Oxfam blog, East Africa section. July 29. [About a project in Pili involving Oxfam that includes SRI. The larger project is funded by the Scottish government is implemented in 3 regions of Shinyanga, Geita and Simiyu in Northern Tanzania.]
• CCDO. 2016. Success stories from the funded project of supporting community based adaptation initiatives to cope with the adverse effect of climate change in three divisions of Pawaga, Kalenga and Isimani in Iringa Rural District of Iringa Region of Tanzania / East Africa. Children Care Development Organization. Envaya.org website. May 9. [UNDP-funded project with large SRI component carried out by the Children Care Development Organization in the Iringa region of Tanzania.]
• Lasway, Octavian J. 2016. System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Green Agriculture Skills website. April 14. [Series from Tanzania about how to use SRI methods. This is the first entry. The second is on seedbed preparation (April 19).
• Razack Lokina. 2016. The impact of the System of Rice Intensification on small-holder farmers’ welfare: Does partial adoption matter? Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative website. February 19. [Description of an EfD study will assess the determinants of partial adoption dynamics and its impact implications on yield and farm profit among rice farmers in Morogoro region of Tanzania.]
• Van Herzeele, Elisa. 2015. Experiments with System of Rice Intensification - Lower-Moshi, Tanzania. VECO East Africa website. November 13.
• 2015. System of Rice Intensification training manual for extension workers and farmers. Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives, Tanzania. SRI West Africa website. June 2015. (38p. pdf) [accessed December 9, 2015]
• 2015. Rice intensification helps Ilolo Mpya residents out. IPP Media. April 28.
• Mbiro, Michael. Tanzania: System of Rice Intensification - Another milestone in rice production. AllAfrica, April 17.
• Makene, Prosper. 2015. 30 private actors set to invest in SAGCOT to boost agriculture. IPP Media, May 26.
• Rodenburg, Jonne. 2014. Creating awareness in Tanzania on labour-saving technologies for weed control in rice. Africa Rising website. Posted December 10. [This article is also carried in Rice Today, vol. 14 no.1]
• 2014. Tanzanian farmers learn modern management techniques to avoid water conflicts. AquaNOW.info (Ooska News website). November 12.
• FAO. 2014. Adapting to climate change through land and water management in Eastern Africa: Results of pilot projects in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome. [Results and lessons learned from the FAO-Sida supported pilot project "Strengthening capacity for climate change adaptation in land and water management" in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. The Tanzania section has significant discussion of SRI.]
• Kitabu, Gerald. 2014. Rice intensification uplifts Mvomero rice farmers. IPP Media website. June 1. [Source: Guardian on Sunday]
• Aune, Jens B., Nagothu Udaya Sekhar, Kjell Esser and Mehreteab Tesfai. 2014. Noragric Report No. 71 Opportunities for Support to System of Rice Intensification in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi. Norwegian University of Life Sciences website. April. (37p. pdf) [Report commissioned by NORAD under the NMBU – Norad Frame Agreement]
• 2014. 18 hunger-stricken districts get over 6,000 tonnes of relief food. IPP Media website. February 26. [Minister of Ag Food Security Chiza says reports from Kilombero, Mkindo and Kiroka showed increase of over 7 ton/ha rice with SRI]
• Keyworth, Marie. 2013. The challenges of boosting Tanzania's rice production. BBC, Business News, December 23.
• Makoye, Kizito. 2013. Tanzania embraces new system of growing rice, Deutsche Welle, Africa section, December 19.
• 2013. Govt pledges to continue supporting RUDABA, Daily News, December 3. [no longer online].
  
• Makoye, Kizito. 2013. Protecting Tanzania's farmers from weather extremes. Inter Press Service, November 14.
• Wa Simbeye, Finnigan. 2013. Tanzania: Rice growers in Kilombero smile all the way to the bank. Tanzania Daily News, October 13.
• Styger, Erika. 2012. Tanzania NAFAKA Project - Summary trip report (May 8 - May 20, 2012): Evaluation of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Program. System of Rice Intensification website. (11p.,301KB pdf)
• 2012?. Agrica. Nor fund website. [Article about Norwegian investment in SRI in Kilombero Valley in Tanzania.]
• Kajiru, Geoffrey, et al. 2012. Adopting improved rice production practices introduced by EAAPP changes farmers’ lives: The case of Nyatwali Rice Irrigation Scheme, Bunda District, Mara Region. EAAPP-RRCoE Success Story Series 1(1):1-4. [The Igembensabo Irrigation Farmer Group (60 women, 49 men) of Nyatwali Village, Bunda District, Mara Region, Tanzania, adopted improved rice production practices introduced by the Eastern Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (EAAPP), enabling them to harvest from 9-25 bags per acre (0.8-2.3 t/ha) in 2010 to 30-45 bags per acre (2.7- 4.1 t/ha) in 2012.]

Research and Journal Articles

(In order of acquisition)

• Mhango, Solomon S. 2024. Factors influencing adoption of System of Rice Intensification among smallholder farmers in Mvomero District, Tanzania. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis 7(2): 780-786. doi:10.47191/ijmra/v7-i02-33
• Komba, M.E., and G.J. Sanga. 2023. Increasing water scarcity downstream the Kilombero River Catchment: Are the upstream rice farmers using the right irrigation technologies? African Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2(2)
• Kimaro, Oforo Didas, et al. 2023. Handheld NDVI sensor-based rice productivity assessment under combinations of fertilizer soil amendment and irrigation water management in lower Moshi irrigation scheme, North Tanzania. Environmental Earth Science 82(3): 78. doi:10.1007/s12665-022-10730-0
• Nakano, Yuko. 2023. The case of Tanzania: Effectiveness of management training on rice framing and farmer-to-farmer extension. In: Otsuka, K., Mano, Y., Takahashi, K. (eds) Rice Green Revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa. Natural Resource Management and Policy, vol 56. Springer, Singapore. 10.1007/978-981-19-8046-6_4
• Sigalla, O.Z., R.M.J. Kadigi, and J.R. Selemani, 2022. Assessment of variation in marginal productivity value of water in paddy farming systems in times of water stress. Water 14: 3459. doi:10.3390/w14213459
• Mosha, D.B, and G. Boniface. 2022. The impact of rice commercialisation on livelihoods in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania: anybody left behind? Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 21(1): 252-262
• Alavaisha, E., et al. 2022. Influence of water management farming practices on soil organic carbon and nutrients: A case study of rice farming in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Agronomy 12:1148. doi:10.3390/agronomy12051148
• Mwidege, Asheri, and Zacharia Katambara. 2021. Does the system of rice intensification a panacea to smallholder farmers? A case of Mkindo village irrigation scheme in Tanzania. International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation 2(2): 138-156. doi:10.1504/IJAITG.2021.119707
• Ires, Idil. 2021. Intensive agriculture as climate change adaptation? Economic and environmental tradeoffs in securing rural livelihoods in Tanzanian river basins. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9: 531.
• Kavishe, Rosemary. 2021. Assessing adoption and water productivity of the system of rice-intensification under farmer-led irrigation system in northern Tanzania. MSc Thesis. The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)(Tanzania). 60 p.
• Kavishe, R.E., F.C. Kahimba, and H.C. Komakech. 2021. Farmer's appropriation of system of rice intensification practices in water-scarce irrigation schemes in Northern Tanzania. Paddy and Water Environment. 10.1007/s10333-020-00836-1
• Mosha, Devotha B., et al. 2021. Yield and commercialisation effects of SRI interventions in Mngeta, Kilombero District, Tanzania. APRA Working Paper 66, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium. Sept. 21. [There is: a significant association between SRI training and adoption of SRI; significant spillover; need for farmers to adopt more than one of the practices; better strategy for understanding principles.]
• Isinika, Aida, et al. 2021. Rice commercialisation effects in Mngeta, Kilombero District, Tanzania: Identifying the underlying factors. APRA Working Paper 63, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium. Sept. 7. [SRI is incldued in this study, though it is an adapted SRI that requires mulitple inputs.]
• Isinika, Aida, et al. 2021. APRA Working Paper 63: Rice commercialisation effects in Mngeta, Kilombero District, Tanzania: Identifying the underlying factors. Future Agricultures website. Sept. 7. [SRI is incldued in this study, though it is an adapted SRI that requires mulitple inputs.]
• Gowele, H.F., F.C. Mahoo, and F.C. Kahimba. 2020. Comparison of silicon status in rice grown under the System of Rice Intensification and flooding regime in Mkindo Irrigation Scheme, Morogoro, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 19(2): 216-226
• Mhango, Solomon Simon. 2020. Implications of socio-economic factors on adoption of paddy production innovations in Mvomero district, Tanzania. PhD dissertation. Sokoine University of Agriculture. 156 p. [accessed April 20, 2021]
• Sarr, Mare, et al. 2021. Who benefits from climate-friendly agriculture? The marginal returns to a rainfed system of rice intensification in Tanzania. World Development 138: 1050160 (in press). doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105160
• Ndabila, Amos. 2018. Adoption of system of rice intensification and impact on yield in Mbarali District In Mbeya, Tanzania. MSc thesis. Sokoine University, Tanzania. 81p.
• Mwalilino, J.K., et al. 2020. Health risks assessment for paddy rice farmers during rice crop production in Eastern Tanzania. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 8(3): 1608-1615.
• Kadigi, Ibrahim L., et al. 2020. An economic comparison between alternative rice farming systems in Tanzania using a Monte Carlo Simulation approach. Sustainability 12(16): 1-22. doi:10.3390/su12166528
• Jeckoniah, J., D.B. Mosha, and G. Boniface. 2020. Does rice commercialisation empower women? Experience from Mngeta Division in Kilombero District, Tanzania, Working Paper 34, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium
• Mwidege, Asheri, and Zacharia Katmbara. 2020. Smallholder farmers’ adoption drivers for the system of rice intensification practice: The case of case of Mkindo Irrigation Scheme, Tanzania. MUST Journal of Research and Development 1(2): 145-159
• Ruhinduka, Remidius Denis, et al. 2020. Smallholder rice farmers’ post-harvest decisions: preferences and structural factors. European Review of Agricultural Economics 47(4): 1587-1620. doi:10.1093/erae/jbz052
• Toungos, Mohammed Dahiru. 2018. System of Rice Intensification: A Review. International Journal of Innovative Agriculture & Biology Research 6(2): 27-38.
• Mboyerwa, Primitiva Andrea. 2018. Potentials of system of rice intensification (SRI) in climate change adaptation and mitigation. A review. International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research 6(9): 160-168. doi:10.15739/IJAPR.18.018
• Materu, Stanslaus Terengia, et al. 2018. Water use and rice productivity for irrigation management alternatives in Tanzania. Water 10(8): 1-15. 10.3390/w10081018
• Kangile, R. J., H. S. Ng’elenge, and I. M. Busindeli. 2018. Socio-economic and field performance evaluation of different rice varieties under System of Rice Intensification in Morogoro, Tanzania. Agricultural Research & Technology: Open Access Journal 17(2): 556021. doi:10.19080/ARTOAJ.2018.17.556021
• Nakano, Y., Y. Tanaka, and K. Otsuka. 2017. Impact of training on the intensification of rice farming: evidence from rainfed areas in Tanzania. Agricultural Economics Accepted Author Manuscript. December 18, 2017.
• Massawe, Ikunda H., Filbert B. Rwehumbiza, and Balthazar M. Msanya. 2017. Effect of water management systems with different nutrient combinations on performance of rice on soils of Mvumi, Kilosa district, Tanzania. International Journal of Current Research in Biosciences and Plant Biology 4(2): 34-44. doi:10.20546/ijcrbp.2017.402.005
• Massawe, Ikunda H. 2016. Effect of water management systems with different nutrient combinations on performance of rice on soils of Mvumi, Kilosa district, Tanzania. M.Sc thesis, Sokoine University (Tanzania). 82p.
• Kenya, Nyamonge. 2016. The role of Farmer Field Schools in adoption and adaptation of recommended rice production practices in Mvomero District in Tanzania. MSc thesis, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bunda College, Malawi.
• Tumusiime, Emmanuel. 2017. Suitable for whom? The case of system of rice intensification in Tanzania. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 1-16. doi:10.1080/1389224X.2017.1310660.
• Bezabih, Mintewab, Remidius Ruhinduka and Mare Sarr. 2016. Climate change perception and system of rice intensification (SRI) impact on dispersion and downside risk: A moment approximation approach. Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy Working Paper No. 288, and, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Working Paper No. 256. Grantham Institute website. November. 23p.
• Eliyah, J. 2016. Effects of flooding and system of rice intensification on nitrogen use efficiency in rice production at Mkindo, Morogoro, Tanzania. Master's thesis. Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania).
• Bell, Patrick Ryan. 2016. Sustainable Intensification for food security and climate change adaptation in Tanzania. PhD dissertation, The Ohio State University. (222p., 3.3MB pdf)
• Reuben, P., Z. Katambara, et al. 2016. Influence of transplanting age on paddy yield under the System of Rice Intensification. Agricultural Sciences 7(3): 154-163. doi: 10.4236/as.2016.73015.
• Katambara, Zacharia Saimon, Marco Mng’ong’o, Consolatha Chambi, el al. 2016. Characteristics of rice produced under direct and indirect SRI practices in Chimala Area in Mbarali district Tanzania. Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability 9(1): 15–30. [accessed March 2016]
• Razack Lokina. 2016. The impact of the System of Rice Intensification on small-holder farmers’ welfare: Does partial adoption matter? Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative website. February 19. [Description of an EfD study will assess the determinants of partial adoption dynamics and its impact implications on yield and farm profit among rice farmers in Morogoro region of Tanzania.]
• Rodenburg, Jonne, Kazuki Saito, et al. 2015. Labor-saving weed technologies for lowland rice farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Weed Technology 29(4): 751-757. doi:10.1614/WT-D-15-00016.1
• Ali, Rubea Mohamed. 2015. Evaluation of the performance of system of rice intensification (SRI) in Bumbwisudi rice irrigation scheme, Zanzibar. MSc. thesis. Sokoine University of Agriculture (Morogoro, Tanzania). (1.89 MB, 115p. pdf)
• Sutton, Claire. 2015. Impact of management on soil fertility and rice yields in smallholder farms in Tanzania. Master's thesis, The Ohio State University. (107 p. pdf) [Considers both SRI and Conservation Agriculture in the context of sustainable land management in Tanzania.]
• Alem, Yonas, Håkan Eggert, and Remidius Ruhinduka. 2015. Improving welfare through climate-friendly agriculture: The case of the System of Rice Intensification. Environmental Resource Economics 62: 243-263. doi: 10.1007/s10640-015-9962-5
• Alem, Yonas, Håkan Eggert, and Remidius Ruhinduka. 2015. Improving yield through climate-friendly agriculture: The case of the System of Rice Intensification. Paper presented at the 13th International Conference on the Ethiopian Economy, Addis Ababa, July 23 - 25.
• Kahimba, F. C., E. E. Kombe, and H. F. Mahoo. 2014. The potential of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to increase rice water productivity: a case of Mkindo irrigation scheme in Morogoro region, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 12(2): 10-19.
• Tusekelege, H. K., R. J. Kangile, H. S. Ng’ elenge, et al. 2014. Option for increasing rice yields, profitability, and water saving: a comparative analysis of System of Rice Intensification in Morogoro, Tanzania. International Journal of Recent Biotechnology 2(1): 4-10.
• Katambara, Zacharia, Frederick C. Kahimba, Winfred B. Mbungu, Paul Reuben, Muyenjwa Maugo, Fikiri D. Mhenga, and Henry F. Mahoo. 2013. Optimizing System of Rice Intensification parameters using Aquacrop model for increasing water productivity and water use efficiency on rice production in Tanzania. Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability 4(2): 235-244.
• Katambara, Zacharia, F. C. Kahimba, et al. 2013. Adopting the system of rice intensification (SRI) in Tanzania: A review. Agricultural Sciences 4(8): 369-375. doi:10.4236/as.2013.48053
• Kombe, E. 2012. The system of rice intensification (SRI) as a strategy for adapting to the effects of climate change and variability: A case study of Mkindo Irrigation Scheme in Morogoro, Tanzania, MSc. thesis, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro. (not online)

Practical Information

• Lasway, Octavian J. 2016. System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Green Agriculture Skills website. April 14. [Series from Tanzania about how to use SRI methods. This is the first entry. The second is on seedbed preparation (April 19).
• 2015. System of Rice Intensification training manual for extension workers and farmers. Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives, Tanzania. SRI West Africa website. June 2015. (38p. pdf) [accessed December 9, 2015]

Videos

• 2023 (March 31). System of Rice Intensification (SRI): Producing more with less. 2:58 min. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations channel. [Farmers, extension agents, FAO representatives, and government weigh in on SRI in Tanzania in this short video.]
• 2023 (March 31). Kilimo Shadidi – Zalisha zaidi kwa kutumia kidogo. 2:58 min. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations channel. [Swahili version of FAO's short video on SRI in several sites in Tanzania]
• 2018 (December 7). System of Rice Intensification transforming lives in Tanzania. 11:42 min. Kilimo Biashara channel, YouTube. [Story about an FAO project promoting SRI in several districts of the Morogoro in Tanzania. This is a longer version of the January 2018 video]
• 2018 (January 13). System of Rice Intensification Transforming Lives in Tanzania. 3:45 min. Kilimo Biashara channel, Youtube. [Video about a young SRI farmer in Ilonga Village, near Kilosa, Tanzania; the project is implemented with technical support from FAO in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and funded by the Government of Venezuela through the South South Cooperation.]
• 2017 (March 22). FAO, Tanzania Govt train 150 youth farmers in rice farming, life skills. 2:22 min. Emmanuel Kihaule channel, YouTube. [Swahili language ITV program explains that 150 youth have been trained in SRI and the Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) approach under the Partnership for Sustainable Rice System Development in Africa project, financed by the Government of Venezuela through FAO under South South Cooperation and is implemented by the Government of United Republic of Tanzania through Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries.]
• 2014 (November 3). Rice Weeding in Tanzania: Innovations From the Field. 3:26 min. Produced by Feed the Future program, Feed the Future website. [Low-cost, hand-held rice weeders in the Morogoro region of Tanzania] [Also available on youtube here.]
• 2013 (November 26). Using the Rotary Weeder in Lowland Rice. 17.48 min. africaricecenter channel, YouTube. [acquired February 2, 2015]

Photo Gallery

• The SRI Tanzania Photo Collection is shown above in the summary section at the top of the page as an embedded slide show.