1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The objective of a system of rice intensification (SRI) is increased yields.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This can be achieved when rice plants are provided with sufficient air and space for their ripening process. Irrigation water supply requirements are lower, which means the approach can be deployed in low-rainfall areas or the rice growing areas can be extended using the same quantity of water (climate change adaptation). The technique requires less seed and fertiliser.
SRI optimises the soil-water-plant relationship. It increases the plants’ potential for production by correcting disadvantageous practices. In practical terms, this involves growing rice on lowlands and plains using fewer seeds (with the rice variety selected according to the water regime) and less fertiliser.
The system of rice intensification proves that rice is not strictly speaking an aquatic crop. Rice growing simply requires a very humid environment. The water level is maintained considerably lower down the rice stalk than it is in traditional rice paddies, where water levels range from 10 to 25 centimetres.
SRI makes it possible to increase yields by around 35% compared to average yields. It has been possible to cut costs given the shorter growing season (90 days). Growers reduce seed use by 8 to 10 kilograms per hectare. Water use drops by around 35%, given that the rice is not constantly submerged and water levels in the paddy are low.

Implementation: Firstly, the growers are sensitised and informed about the principles and benefits of SRI in terms of yields and production costs, and are given the opportunity to sign up for technical training in SRI. IICEM takes charge of monitoring the proper application of the SRI methods over the
growing season. Seedlings are planted out individually to ensure each plant has sufficient space to grow. The rice plants are grown individually in rows, which reduces the number of seeds required and makes weeding easier.
Operation: 1) Selecting the most appropriate rice varieties according to the water regime of the area in question (rainfed rice and lowland rice). SRI rice crops adapt well to flood and recession waters, meaning rising and falling water source levels can be managed. 2) Respecting the irrigation cycles developed with the planner: An irrigation cycle is drawn up with a planner. Training is then provided to the growers managing the irrigation system to ensure they adhere strictly to the cycle. It is important for growers in the same hydraulic area to plant out at the same time so their irrigation supply needs correspond. This ensures that the water requirements of the rice crops are met and reduces pumping costs.
Roles of the actors involved: IICEM delivers training to raise awareness about SRI and provide the relevant skills. Conscious of the need to increase yields, IICEM ensures that this learning is applied in the field. Sometimes local NGOs are tasked with providing training and monitoring. Growers apply the SRI approach and monitor inputs and yields so that operations can be effectively evaluated.

The practice was rolled out in the Mopti, Timbuktu and Gao regions of northern Mali and in Sikasso in the south. Two very small-scale rice fields were installed: one in Deibata in Youwarou Circle and one in Mopti. Farmer organisations supported by IICEM are benefiting from the technique. The practice has been carried out since 2009 by IICEM. It was deployed in Madagascar prior to its introduction in Mali.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Mali

Region/ State/ Province:

Mali

Further specification of location:

Mopti, Timbuktu, Gao, Sikasso

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 0.1-1 km2

Comments:

The practice was rolled out in the Mopti, Timbuktu and Gao regions of northern Mali and in Sikasso in the south.
Two very small-scale rice fields were installed: one in Deibata in Youwarou Circle and one in Mopti. Farmer organisations supported by IICEM are benefiting from the technique.

Map

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2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - rice (wetland)

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120Longest growing period from month to month: August to November

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): low rice production, high amount of seeds, fertilizer and water required, high production costs

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

management measures

• M2: Change of management/ intensity level

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

• Cs: salinization/ alkalinization

water degradation

• Hp: decline of surface water quality

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Unadapted landuse methods, reduced or abandoned fallow periods), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Neglect of fallow periods and crop rotation), droughts (due to heat waves), population pressure (rapidly growing population increasing pressure on land), land tenure (insecure access to land and collectively managed communal land), poverty / wealth (very poor population)
Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (deforestation through overgrazing and fire wood collection), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (firewood collection), overgrazing (cattle, sheep and goats), change in temperature (Climate change: heat waves), change of seasonal rainfall (more variable onset of rain), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (more variable and intensive rains), wind storms / dust storms (frequent storms), floods (due to intensive rain storms), labour availability (some migration of men to nearby cities), education, access to knowledge and support services (high level of illiteracy)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

CFA Franc

4.3 Establishment activities

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Species diversity: medium, low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
50% of the land users are average wealthy.
30% of the land users are poor.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

The irrigated land is allocated by the chief

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: The practice has been carried out since 2009 by IICEM. It was deployed in Madagascar prior to its introduction in Mali. Growers who have been trained in SRI continue using the technique as they value its effects;
namely, achieving higher productivity without incurring excessive costs related to inputs, pump unit consumables, etc.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Manual of Good Practices in Small Scale Irrigation in the Sahel. Experiences from Mali. Published by GIZ in 2014.

Available from where? Costs?

http://star-www.giz.de/starweb/giz/pub/servlet.starweb

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Farmer Returns to Rice, IICEM

Title, author, year, ISBN:

IICEM leaflet on SRI