Strengthening the resilience of rice farmers in the Senegal River Valley through the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approach, incorporating the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
In Senegal, agricultural production is facing increasing land degradation. The Senegal River valley, an important rice-growing area, is particularly affected by this degradation. This is due to deforestation, overgrazing, the abandonment of sustainable agricultural practices, and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The objective of this communication is to present the results of the Famer Field School (FFS) integrating the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in the Senegal River Valley, along with 3 lessons learned on key success factors and challenges encountered. The implemented approach involved training producers on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) directly in the field, followed by a comparative analysis of the effects of SRI and traditional practices on rice production and sustainable land management, in order to identify the most effective and sustainable practice to promote. The results of this study showed that SRI reduces production costs and therefore increases farmers’ incomes. It reduces the use of chemical fertilizers in favor of organic matter, promotes sustainable water and environmental management and improve rice yields contributing to food security and sovereignty objectives. Thus, in a context of climate change, land degradation, and declining yields, the SRI appears to be a promising farming practice for sustainable land management, improved natural resource management, and enhanced resilience of family farms. In addition, the FFS is an effective tool for training producers and disseminating SRI techniques. It facilitates the sharing and transfer of practical knowledge among farmers.
