| dc.description.abstract | This study was conducted to evaluate farmers‟ appropriation of the system of rice
intensification (SRI) in an informal irrigation scheme in northern Tanzania. Understanding the
integration and performance of SRI in the local rice farming will assist in short and long-term
planning and allocation of available resources. First, a survey was conducted to explore
farmers‟ adjustments of SRI principles. Second, yield and water productivity of the integrated
system was assessed by setting up experimental plots in the farmers‟ fields. Four treatments
representing farmers‟ adaptations of SRI practices were assessed. One treatment (F1) was
continuous flooding while the other three treatments (F2, F3 and F4) were under intermittent
irrigation. The yield of 4.8, 8.5, 8.2 and 9.2 tons/ha, and water productivity of 0.15, 0.39, 0.35
and 0.51 Kg/m
3
were obtained for F1, F2, F3 and F4, respectively. Water-saving under SRI was
34.3%, 28.9%, and 45.1% for F2, F3 and F4, respectively. The figures are comparable to those
reported under full SRI, which is in the range 20% to 60%. The highest yield (9.2 tons/ha),
water productivity (0.51 Kg/m
3
) and water-saving (45.1%) was obtained in F4 involving one
seedling 15 days old transplanted at 25 x 25 cm. However, this method is not preferred by
many farmers due to lack of supporting infrastructure. Hence, F2 involving two seedlings 21
days old planted at 20 x 20 cm with intermittent irrigation is recommended for this area as it
ensures a sufficient number of plants, relatively higher yields and a reduced considerable
amount of irrigation water. | en_US |
