Transforming Rice Production through SRI in Tanzania

 

Farmers at the SISU Irrigation Scheme in Ifakara, Tanzania are achieving major improvements in rice production after hands‑on training on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), locally known as kitalu mkeka, delivered through FtMA. Previously, farmers used 20 to 30 kg of paddy seeds to plant an acre, driving up production costs and resulting in weak seedling establishment. With SRI, they now require only 3 to 6 kg of paddy seeds per acre. This has significantly reduced seed costs by 70 to 85% while producing healthier, uniform seedlings that boost field performance. SRI has also improved crop spacing, survival rates, and overall yield potential, allowing farmers to reinvest savings into fertilizers and labor. Farm to Market Alliance – LinkedIn   / farmtomarketalliance