Rice farming-SRI Cameroon

2015 Final Report

On

  The training of 5 common initiative groups on SRI in Ndop Central Subdivision, Ngoketunjia Division NWR Cameroon

Skills for Development UK                              FAP NGO Cameroon

charity number 1139768                   Reg. Number 137/E31/067/SCAB

Flat 53, Building 36                                PMB 15 Ndop Ngoketunjia Division

Marlborough Road,                                         North West Region

London SE18 6XD                                             Republic of Cameroon

info@skillsfordevelopment.org              forestagrofor@yahoo.com
www.skillsfordevelopment.org            fapngocameroon@yahoo.com                                                                       www.fap-cameroon.page.tl

Executive sumamry                                                                                                                                               

Rice farming in Cameroon is undertaken in swampy plains and occurs during the wet season (between March and September). During this time there is significant ground water that manifests itself through rivers and streams. Some of the farms are then irrigated through a system of canals developed by the government (however due to many years of neglect this has fallen into disrepair and irrigation is and has been a significant problem even on these “developed farms”. The government is now investing more funds into the development of the region and has initiated schemes to repair the infrastructure). However due to demand, the growth in rice farming was through “undeveloped” farms – where the farmers create their own irrigation channels feeding from existing rivers. However for these farms controlling the irrigation is a significant problem.     The introduction of a new farming technique (SRI) to Cameroon through a unique global alliance spanning Asia, Europe and Africa. The techniques are designed to empower grass root rice farmers by increasing their yields whilst reducing their inputs. Furthermore the techniques result in more robust farms and plants that are better able to handle adverse environmental conditions, thereby empowering the farmers to withstand the pressures of climate change and maintain environmental stability given the inputs that they have. Finally, in an area where unemployment is rife, education and health are luxuries and 3 meals a day is a luxury that many cannot afford, increasing yields in rice farming; as the main cash crop for these farmers, will have a profound impact on the their lives.

This programme has initiated at the behest of the rice farmers in Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region, and Cameroon. The farmers, 75% of whom are women are subsidence grass root farmers, farming small plots of land and without the benefits of mechanisation. At an initial stage of the programme,  a comprehensive survey of the farmers was carried out. As such we found that the difficulties faced by the farmers fall into a number of categories, with lack of farm inputs and limited capacities on modern rice farming techniques  being the most prominent.

1. Lack of farm inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

For the farming year of 2007-2008 62% of farmers used fertilizers for their farms, but only 17% used the (government) recommended treatment by volume, with all the rest unable to afford and sustain this application. Only 30% of farmers had started using manure or compost on their farms; 44% of farmers used herbicides or pesticides. As a result, weeds and pests are destroying entire farms.

2.      Lack of training

64% of the surveyed farmers have not had any training on rice cultivation. Field visits have shown that the farmers are utilizing poor methodologies and yields are low.                                                                 As a result, 55% of farmers achieved half or less than half of the expected yield of 6 tonnes per hectare during the agricultural year 2007-2008. Only 7% of farmers achieved yields of greater than 5 tonnes per hectare. Rice farming is of strategic importance for the region, with Cameroon importing rice for its domestic population, whilst exporting to neighbouring countries such as Chad, Gabon, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

Objective of the training

The objective of these trainings was to build capacities of 5 groups on System of Rice Intensification as a means to empower grass root rice farmers in techniques to increase yields whilst reducing expenses paid on farm inputs

Activities carried out

1.      Hold planning meetings with 05 rice farming groups in different village communities.          

2.       Carry out separate trainings with the different groups on SRI Nursery establishment and management, transplanting, weeding, harvesting and storage.

3.      Support to groups trained in 2014 with Rotary weeders.

Major achievements

·         Five farming groups with a population of 120 household made up of mostly women, youths and men trained on with majority being women trained and knowledge improved on SRI Nursery establishment and management, transplanting, weeding, harvesting and storage.

·         20 rotary weeders produced locally and handed over to 05 groups trained in 2013/2014 as support to weeding.

·         Reduction of labour in weeding and weeds invading rice field.

·         Increase in production as a result of timely weeding.

Recommendation

Although farmers actually received the trainings with joy after realising the double yields from the SRI plots over the traditional plots, the groups last year complained during the reception of rotary weeders that no followup was made to them after trainings and recommended as follows

1.      After the training year, a technical follow up be organised to monitor activities from nursery to harvesting to ensure that the lessons learnt is been put in practised.

2.      Training on composting should done per group not bringing leaders to trained in a central place, some members attain training and can not restitution to their different groups.

3.      FAP should start training of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 trained groups on farm budget estimate using their 10m by 10 m plot as the unit.

4.      FAP should start thinking of market for marketing of produce.

5.      Rotary weeders Support to farmers should be done after follow up farmers in the field practicing SRI

Conclusion

Ndop rice farming activities normally starts from the 5^th June with Nursery establishment especially in the developed farms and in some undeveloped farms it starts from May. That was not the case this year because rains actually started coming this year in late June which has only permitted some farmers to start their activities in July, during this period there was water in some farm and other farms were very dry.

The final nursing of the seeds for demonstration plot was done before 30^th of July in all the two village communities, 80% of the target beneficiaries were actively involved in the project planned activities, this shows the enthusiasm and the need for the project. All the groups were happy for the initiative and promised their total involvement in ensuring that they practice what they have learnt.

The participation in the implementation of the trainings is a clear indication that these project needs replication to increase the scope of beneficiaries.

Based on the performance and participation of the groups, it is expected that the knowledge gained by the women and other group members will be effectively communicated further into the communities through practice. These groups were very active and will help others in understanding the training through testimonies and examples. These groups will have to continue replicating the training in their farms in their various community and surrounding communities.