System of Rice Intensification

BURKINA FASO

Progress and Activities

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Progress and Activities

• Indication of SRI Potential in Burkina Faso

  Tim Krupnik has reported that Bourema, the one farmer out of six whom he trained in SRI methods in 2006, has had a yield of 7 tons/hectare in his second season (2007) using the new techniques. With more experience and confidence, Bourema has been able to grow very vigorous and large rice plants with extensive root systems (see picture at right). We do not know of any uptake of the alternative practices by other farmers, however, and Krupnik moved his thesis research site to Senegal (see Senegal page) given the little interest in SRI expressed by local agricultural technicians.

• Preliminary SRI Trials Begin in Burkina Faso

  Timothy J. Krupnik, PhD student in the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) reported on preliminary SRI trials that were carried out during the 2006 rainy season in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The 6 volunteer SRI farmers have previously participated in the FAO Farmer Field School Integrated Pest and Production Management program in the Valée du Kou irrigation scheme and are accustomed to experimenting with new production methods. Their results will be compared with 6 matched farmers using standard recommended farmers practices (FP) which are relatively input-intensive. Tim Krupnik and Brema, a Burkinabe farmer, are shown above taking soil samples at the evaluation site in Valle du Kou.

  SRI results will be compared with those from conventional FPs in the study area, which currently give a reported average yield of 3.5 t/ha, quite good for West Africa. Despite the reported yields by farmers in this irrigation scheme, national rice production figures in Burkina Faso are much less encouraging: per hectare yields are 2.6 tons, below the global average, and up to 15% of the harvest is regularly lost to pests. In the Valée du Kou, recommended FPs include applying up to 300 kg of mineral fertilizers per ha; transplanting at 2-3 weeks after nursery seeding, with up to 5 seedlings/hill and around 15 cm spacing. Conventional methods also include ample use of herbicides and pesticides and maintaining at least 5 cm of water throughout the cropping season, when available.

  The SRI trials include application of about 360 kg of composted cattle manure/ha, transplanting single seedlings at 10-12 days, with 25 cm spacing in a grid pattern, and limited irrigation. Push weeders are available in the study area and are being employed to manage weeds at least twice during the cropping season.

  If you are interested in the results of this prelim SRI trial, please contact Tim Krupnik by e-mail, or Skype (timothy_krupnik).

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