Adoption of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Methodology among Rice Farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Abstract
The research assessed farmers adoption of system of rice intensification (SRI) in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of SRI practitioners among rice farmers, investigated their awareness of SRI, evaluated their adherence to recommended SRI practices, explored factors influencing adoption, and identified barriers hindering adoption. A multi-stage sampling method was used to survey 300 participants. Data were collected using questionnaire and data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit regression were employed to achieve these objectives. Results indicated that the majority of SRI practitioners were male, averaging around 45 years old, and typically lived in households with approximately (9) nine members. Findings also showed widespread awareness of nursery planting, high familiarity with manual weeding, and the use of organic fertilizers. Regarding adoption, practices such as nursery planting, transplanting young seedlings at three weeks old, and irrigation were commonly implemented. Logit regression analysis highlighted significant positive influences of gender (P<0.01) and education level (P<0.01) on SRI adoption. The primary barrier identified was the high cost of labor, which significantly deterred farmers from adopting SRI. The study concluded that the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers playa crucial role in their adoption of SRI in Nasarawa State. Recommendations included initiatives to mitigate labor costs and strengthen extension services to provide ongoing technical support and guidance on SRI practices.
Keywords
Download Options
Introduction
Rice is a crucial cereal crop cultivated across diverse climatic zones worldwide, serving as the primary dietary staple for nearly half of the global population. It accounts for approximately one-third of the world'scereal cultivation and contributes significantly to caloric intake, ranging between 35% and 60% for about 2.7 billion individuals (Tayefe, Gerayzade, Amiri & Zade, 2014). In Nigeria, rice has increasingly become a vital component of the national diet and is now regarded as botha staple food and a major source of calories. Traditionally, Nigerian farmers have predominantly cultivated lowland rice due to its ecological compatibility. However, in recent years, actual production levels have fallen below potential, largely due to inefficient resource use and suboptimal practices. In response, the Nigerian government has implemented various initiatives aimed at transforming rice farming from subsistence-based operations to commercial enterprises. These include the provision of improved inputs and the establishment of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks to enhance agricultural productivity (Tayefe et al., 2014).
Rice consumption in Nigeria has risen dramatically, growing at an annual rate of approximately 10%. It has become the predominant staple food among the country’spopulation of over 200 million people (Terwase & Madu, 2014). Yet, domestic production has not kept pace with rising demand, leading to a significant gap between consumption and local supply (Omofonmwan & Kadiri, 2017). To bridge this gap, government institutions, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have intensified efforts to mobilize and train rice farmers in improved agronomic practices. One such innovation is the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which has been promoted and demonstrated across the country as a viable strategy for enhancing rice productivity and achieving self-sufficiency. SRI is an agronomic methodology aimed at improving the productivity of irrigated rice through optimized management of soil, water, nutrients, and plant spacing. The method involves transplanting young seedlings at wider intervals and practicing alternate wetting and drying (AWD), rather than continuous flooding, to stimulate better root growth and plant vigor (Fernandes & Uphoff, 2015). This approach was originally developed in Madagascar in the 1980s by Father Henri de Laulanié, with the objective of establishing sustainable farming systems that enhance productivity while minimizing input costs and conserving water resources (Zotoglo, 2017). Compared to traditional practices, SRI has proven to be more resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable. For example, while conventional broadcasting methods require 100 kg of seeds per hectare and direct planting requires 30–60 kg, SRI only uses 4–10 kg of seeds per hectare, substantially reducing input costs and labor demands (Randriamiharisoa, Barison & Uphoff, 2016).
In Nigeria, various public and community-based initiatives have supported the dissemination and demonstration of SRI practices, with the broader goal of achieving national rice self-sufficiency. However, adoption rates among rural farmers remain low, and rice yields and incomes are often still below levels recorded two decades ago. Several barriers to adoption persist, including poor dissemination of innovation and limited uptake of recommended practices. Farmers are generally more likely to adopt new technologies if they are simple, offer comparative advantages, are compatible with existing practices, and are both accessible and affordable (Bawa & Ani, 2014). In Nasarawa State, agencies such as the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP), Fadama III Project, and the IFAD/FGN/Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme (CBNRMP) have been active in promoting rice production, including SRI techniques. Despite these interventions, many farmers in the region remain economically vulnerable, and the overall awareness and adoption of SRI remain unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the extent of adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) among rice farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. 1.1 Objectives of the Study: The broad objective of this study is to assess the level of adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) among rice farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The specific objectives are to: a) Describe the socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers practicing the System of Rice Intensification(SRI); b) Assess the level of awareness of SRI among rice farmers in the study area; c) Evaluate the extent to which rice farmers have adopted and adhered to the recommended SRI practices; d) Determine the factors influencing the adoption of SRI among rice farmers in the study area; e) Identify the constraints affecting the adoption of SRI among rice farmers in the study area; f) Examine the sources of information available to farmers on SRI practices. 1.2 Hypotheses of the Study: The study was guided by the following null hypotheses: H₀₁: There is no significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers and their adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). H₀₂: There is no significant relationship between the use of SRI-recommended practices and the factors influencing adoption.
Conclusion
4.1 Conclusion: The study revealed that variables such as age, gender, education level, household size, rice farm size, and annual income significantly influenced the adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) among rice farmers in the study area. Hence, the null hypothesis stating no significant relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and SRI adoption is rejected. Similarly, the second null hypothesis is rejected due to the significant results from the Pearson correlation analysis, confirming a relationship between the implementation of SRI practices and factors influencing adoption. These findings highlight the need for context-specific strategies, including targeted extension services and capacity-building programs, to enhance the effective and widespread adoption of SRI for sustainable rice production in the study area. 4.2 Recommendations: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are proposed to improve the adoption and effective implementation of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) practices: a) Government and agricultural development agencies should promote the use of labour-saving technologies such as mechanised weeders and rice transplanters to reduce the high labour demand associated with SRI. Community-based labour-sharing cooperatives can also be encouraged through support from local governments. b) Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), women-focused groups, and agricultural extension services should design and implement gender-sensitive programs that empower female farmers with training, access to finance, and tailored support to increase their adoption of SRI practices. c) Microfinance institutions, commercial banks, and government credit schemes should provide low-interest loans or input subsidies to smallholder rice farmers to help them adopt and sustain SRI practices. d) Ministries of agriculture and ICT innovators should collaborate to utilise social media, mobile applications, and other digital platforms for timely dissemination of SRI information, advisory services and market updates. e) Youth development programs and agricultural entrepreneurship schemes should actively engage and support young farmers in adopting SRI, including offering start-up kits, technical mentoring, and agribusiness incubation. f) Federal and state governments should subsidise key agricultural inputs such as organic fertilisers and provide access to affordable, modern farm implements through public-private partnerships. g) Extension service providers and ADPs should be strengthened with adequate funding, staffing, and training to ensure regular contact with farmers and effective delivery of SRI-related technical support.
