The System of Rice Intensification (SRI): a technology to be promoted for food sovereignty in Senegal

This document (a policy brief) presents the findings of this study. The authors recommend increased institutional support, including training for producers, easier access to finance and the modernisation of rural infrastructure. In short, they emphasise the importance of scaling up these sustainable practices to bring about a lasting improvement in the incomes of Senegalese farmers.

Full list of authors: Ciss P. N., Tounkara S., Tall L. and Diallo D., from Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale (IPAR) and
Diallo A., Gueye P., Dianka O. from Agence Nationale de Conseil Agricole et Rural (ANCAR)

Available in en fr

Link to Policy Brief (IPAR)

In Senegal, agricultural production is facing increasing land degradation. The Senegal River valley, a major 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 fertilisers and pesticides. Local communities are implementing agricultural practices to restore soil fertility and increase yields. However, these initiatives face challenges in scaling up.

IPAR led the CO-development of Innovations for Sustainable Land Management in Family Farming Systems in West Africa (COINS) project, which utilised the Farmer Field School (FFS) tool to trial the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technology. The approach involved training farmers in the field on SRI. The results of this study showed that SRI helps to reduce production costs. Indeed, it limits the use of chemical fertilisers in favour of organic matter, promotes sustainable water management and contributes to increased yields, and thus to higher incomes for farmers who adopt it. This practice could therefore offer an alternative for tackling land degradation and declining yields, adapting to climate change and addressing food insecurity.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)