An experimental study conducted by the National Center for Agronomic Research (CNRA) on the project entitled “Diffusion du Système de riziculture Intensive (SRI)”, at the level of production basins in 13 departments, has made it possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of this new cultivation technique which induces appreciable yield gains.
On Friday, November 26, 2021 in Man, took place the national workshop to present the results of the said project implemented by the CNRA, in partnership with the National Agency for Rural Development (ANADER), the Development Agency of the rice sector (ADERIZ), with funding from the Competitive Fund for Innovation and Sustainable Agriculture (FCIAD).
The objective was to share with the various development actors, the results of the implementation of the SRI project, an innovative cultivation technique to improve rice production in Côte d’Ivoire. The participants learned about the agronomic performance of SRI in 13 departments of Côte d’Ivoire, as well as its economic profitability. Also, “champions”, model farmers identified during the implementation of the project, were presented as well as the project deliverables.
At the end of the implementation of the project, which lasted 24 months, from July 2019 to November 2021, the regional director of the CNRA in Man, Bouet Alphonse, concluded that all the objectives assigned to the project had been achieved. He explained that the agronomic performance of SRI was appreciated by the rice farmers.
With this cultivation technique, the paddy yield increased by at least 25% on average, when the cost of production fell below that obtained under peasant rice cultivation.
“The technique that we practice there, we have seen the results. With the new technique brought to us by Doctor Bouet in Gbon, it really is the best. I urge everyone to adhere to it, ”said Traoré Mamadou, a rice farmer in Gbon.
The “champions” in the implementation of the IRS congratulated by the CNRA
For a perfect dissemination of this new cultivation technique throughout Côte d’Ivoire, CNRA technicians want the involvement of the farmers selected as models (the champions) in support of the agents of the national structures to further introduce the technology and monitor the plots. whether the IRS is developing properly.
In addition, the CNRA recommends, for the efficiency of the system, to facilitate access to agricultural equipment for mechanization in the production basins. Also, to continue or rehabilitate all the sites where water irrigation is currently difficult and where people practically work in river conditions.
Representing the prefect of Tonkpi, prefect of the department of Man, the general secretary 1, Bah André Yao greeted the entire CNRA team for the development of this new cultivation method which he believes, “ should be the rice self-sufficiency compass ”.
Rice is a food consumed by all sociological strata of Côte d’Ivoire, with a ratio estimated at over 70 kg / inhabitant / year. But local production of this cereal has been in deficit for 40 years, following the dissolution of the Society for the Development of Rice Cultivation (SODERIZ). Also, several new initiatives have been taken by the State, with a view to at least ensuring self-sufficiency. The latest of these initiatives are the creation of ADERIZ on January 10, 2018 and a ministry dedicated to rice in 2019.
In addition, rice technologies of agricultural interest were introduced and then adapted in Côte d’Ivoire through several programs including that of Agricultural Productivity in West Africa (WAAPP or WAAPP). Among these, the Intensive Rice Cultivation System (IRS) caught the attention of rice growers because of the yield gains of over 50% induced during pre-extension tests.
Source: Agence Ivoirienne de Presse