1. THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION (SRI) IN RWANDA Presented by Katono Ouma on behalf of Jonas Bavugamenshi National Coordinator of Union of Rice Cooperatives (UCORIRWA) THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION (SRI) IN RWANDA Presented by Katono Ouma on behalf of Jonas Bavugamenshi National Coordinator of Union of Rice Cooperatives (UCORIRWA)

2. Rice Farming in Rwanda ► Rice was introduced in Rwanda in the 1950s. ► Total Area exploited increased from 3 549 ha in 2000 to currently 12 000 Ha- (62 000 farmers operating under 55 cooperatives, average 0.2 ha per household).

3. SRI IN RWANDA SRI IN RWANDA ► SRI introduced in Rwanda in 2006. ► Began with the SRI training of 50 rice producers and Rwandan technicians by two Malagasy experts with the support IFAD. ► In 2007, SRI introduced into PAPSTA pilot zones of Kibaza/Bugesera district and Rwabutazi /Kirehe district with assistance from (UCORIRWA). ► Kibaza- rice yields have increased from 4 t/ha to at least 6 t/ha with a total production of 135 t in 2008. ► Rwabutazi- rice yields have increased from 4 t/ha to at least 7 t/ha with a total production of 401 t in 2008. ► Average yield per farmer in the pilot zones: increased from 3.5t/ha to 7t/ha with a maximum of 8t/ha. ► Decrease in the quantity of seeds used - (from of 80kg /ha to 6-8kg per ha).

4. BASIC PRINCIPLES ADOPTED ► The Utilization of quality seeds. ► The utilization of natural fertilizer. ► Transplanting of seedlings not more than 15 days old. ► Weeding- manually, simple weeding machinery.

5. PREPARATION OF RICE FIELDS

6. THE SELECTION OF QUALITY SEEDS

7. PREPARATION OF SEED BEDS (National Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR)

8. TRANSPLANTING OF SEEDLINGS

9. FARMERS TENDING TO THEIR FIELDS

10. THE USE OF PESTICIDES

11. CONSTRAINTS OF THE APPLICATION OF THE SRI IN RWANDA ► Access to seeds ► Irrigation water ► Marketing

12. ► Replication ► Replication of SRI in the Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP) supported marshlands and countrywide.