Nigeria: Over 22,000 Farmers Benefit From Propcom+ Climate-Smart Rice Farming Initiative

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) pilot programme implemented by Propcom+ across different locations in Nigeria has shown potential to enhance rice productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Nigeria.

At a knowledge-sharing event held on Tuesday in Abuja, Propcom+, a UKAid agricultural market development programme, said the pilot phase of the SRI programme benefited over 22,000 smallholder farmers, among other achievements.

Expanding on the success of the FCDO LINKS initiative in Kano and Jigawa states, the project provided insights into the benefits and challenges of SRI adoption among smallholder farmers.

The pilot sought to address key constraints limiting farmers’ participation, particularly the lack of motorised transplanters and weeders, as well as inadequate access to appropriate irrigation technology.

To mitigate these challenges, Propcom+ introduced motorised transplanters and mobile solar-powered irrigation pumps through an entrepreneur-led, fee-based service delivery model.

Additionally, a cluster-based irrigation infrastructure model was tested across three clusters to improve water management.
Farmers were also educated on SRI practices using demonstration plots and digital channels.

During the pilot, Propcom+ said 22,269 smallholder farmers, 41% of whom were women, received SRI training through onsite demonstrations and SMS-based education.

The pilot also attracted commercial investments, with three suppliers committing to providing motorized transplanters, mobile solar-powered pumps, and organic fertilizers.

Additionally, the initiative created 199 jobs, with rural entrepreneurs adopting the service delivery models for mechanized transplanting and irrigation services.

The pilot also achieved improvements in farm productivity, with 66% of adopting farmers reporting higher yields compared to conventional farming methods.