Adoption Of System Of Rice Intensification And Impact On Yield In Mbarali District In Mbeya, Tanzania

ABSTRACT 

Rice yields in developing countries in general and specifically in Tanzania remain low due to limited adoption of new innovations by smallholder rice farmers. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is believed to have promising potential for increasing rice yields. However, the factors influencing the adoption decisions as well as adoption impacts have been a subject of debate. This study was conducted to analyse the adoption of SRI and its impact on rice yields in Mbarali District. Specifically, the study focused on determining the extent of SRI components adoption by smallholder rice farmers, analysing the factors affecting SRI components adoption decisions and determining the impacts of adopted SRI component combinations on rice yields. Data were collected from three irrigation schemes involving 318 smallholder rice farmers. The extent of SRI components adoption was estimated as a percentage of area under rice production allocated to SRI by smallholder rice farmer. Multinomial endogenous treatment effect model was used to analyse the determinants of SRI component combinations adoption and the impact of the adopted packages on rice yields. The study findings indicate that on average SRI adopters allocate about 73% of rice cultivated land on SRI. The likelihood of smallholder rice farmers adopting SRI component combinations is significantly determined by education level of the household heard, active family labour force size, experience in rice production, access to off farm activities, farm size, farm level status, adequate availability of water for irrigation, access to credit facilities and information from formal sources. Furthermore, the results reveal that all SRI component combinations have a positive and significant impact on yields although on their impact differ in magnitude. The highest rice yields (41%) are obtained when the full package comprising all components (plant, soil and water management) is adopted, hence future interventions with comprehensive SRI package are recommended.