The European Space Agency GDA Climate Adaptation and Finance (CA&F) consortium is working with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) to co-design an Earth Observatory (EO) demonstrator for RICOWAS, an Adaptation Fund-financed project working with around 125,000 farmers across 13 countries to scale climate-resilient rice production in West Africa by promoting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The planned approach centres on progressing towards a blended method, bringing geolocated ground data and open-source satellite imagery together to strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Time series of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data will be used to map rice areas to enable future assessment of productivity differences between SRI and conventional plots, with additional datasets covering climate vulnerability, land cover, and conservation status to identify any unintended consequences, such as encroachment into protected natural areas.
The Scaling-up Climate Resilient Rice Production in West Africa (RICOWAS) project has held its Annual Review and Steering Committee meeting in Nyankpala, Ghana, in early July. During 2025, 3,700 farmers were trained in System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methods and 84 SRI demo plots carried out in RICOWAS project.The project is being carried out by CSRI-SARI in 22 districts in seven regions of Ghana with the aim to reach 13,173 farmers in 2026.
Liberia is slowly adopting what experts say is a proven rice farming method that could reduce its dependence on imports. The program known as “System of Rice Intensification” (SRI) has been used successfully in other countries to increase rice yields. Now a coalition of farmers, policymakers, and international partners plans to scale it up here. “Every time you eat imported rice, you are importing poverty, and you are exporting your wealth,” said Robert Bimba who is widely regarded as the pioneer of System of Rice Intensification in Liberia. A consensus is emerging: the techniques exist, and the early results are real. Experts say Liberia’s rice revolution now depends on investment and political will and that SRI is already delivering sharply higher yields in Liberia’s fields and has been proven at scale in places like northern Nigeria. In April at the in-country launch of the Global Hunger Index in Liberia, Umar Namadi, the governor of Jigawa State in Nigeria, where the technology helped lift rice yields from a national embarrassment to a continental benchmark, was present to share a blueprint. He said his state had embraced the SRI not as a donor project but as economic policy that, importantly, engaged private business.
A growing number of NGOs and government agencies have been experimenting with and promoting SRI methods throughout Zambia. Henry Ngimbu, SRI-2030 consultant, and Francesco Zampaolo, SRI-2030 Program Director, are assisting the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute to carry out SRI trials at their stations in Mongu, Mansa and Mount Makulu, which are followed by training of government extension agents. World Vision Zambia has begun Farmer Field Schools in Luapula, Northern and Muchinga Provinces.
The Kasisi Agroecology Training Center (KATC), a Jesuit entity, has established SRI training plots for staff, farmers and students to become more familiar with SRI practices. Trials with transplanted and direct-seeded SRI as well as subsequent ratoon crops have shown the value of SRI practices at KATC over the past year. Peace Corps Zambia, which carries out volunteer training at KATC is preparing materials with assistance from Henry Ngimbu and the NGO SRI Global to incorporate SRI trainings for their incoming volunteers.
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. Video from: Farm to Market Alliance - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/farmtomarketalliance/
The Community of Hope Agriculture Project (CHAP) and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at revitalizing the military’s agriculture company and strengthening national food security. CHAP will train soldiers in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) through the RICOWAS program and support pilot rice production across three key military installations: the Edward Binyah Kesselly (EBK) Barracks, Camp Jackson (Namaa), and Toedee. CHAP is providing improved seed as well as machinery, technical guidance, and hands-on field support.
"Highlights of National Efforts and Innovation on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) over the Past 20 Years in Iraq" was presented by Khidhir Abbas Hameed on August 18, 2025, at the SRI Network Capacity-Building and Research Workshop, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Khidhir also presented a blueprint for an Arabic language SRI Network for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the workshop.
Over 188 local farmers from Rivercess and Grand Bassa Counties are appealing to the Community of Hope Agriculture Project (CHAP) and Concern Worldwide to continue their farming support initiative. The project, now in its second to third year, introduced farmers to the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a method many initially found difficult. However, they say they have now mastered the technique and are reaping its benefits.
“At first, the SRI method was tough for us because it was new. But now we are used to it. It makes rice farming easier and faster." Farmers reported that they are now able to use the same plots of land continuously, significantly reducing the labor and environmental degradation associated with traditional shifting cultivation methods.“Rice farming used to be backbreaking work, but not anymore. We can now grow more rice using less seed and labor...”
Le riz, vital en Afrique de l’Ouest, est au centre d’un forum régional clé à Bamako depuis hier, lundi 5 mai 2025. En effet, 13 pays et des organisations internationales discutent de systèmes agricoles durables et de l’essor du Système de Riziculture Intensif (SRI). Riz : Enjeu Clé de la Sécurité Alimentaire. L’Afrique de l’Ouest […]
Representatives from thirteen countries and international organizations discussed sustainable agricultural systems and the development and promotion of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Bamako on May 5, 2025. Mali's Prime Minister emphasized the urgency of helping vulnerable producers. He also reiterated the alignment of SRI with Mali's national development strategies and assured the government's full commitment to the development of the regional SRI. In conclusion, collective action was deemed essential for West African food security, in which the SRI could play a major role.
Dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre du projet Promotion du Système de Riziculture Intensive au Cameroun (ProSRI-Cam), le CIPCRE a organisé, du 22 au 28 avril 2025, une série d’ateliers de formation théorique sur les méthodes du Système de Riziculture Intensive (SRI) dans quatre villages pilotes : Santchou, Bamendjo, Koutaba et Bangourain.
Ciwara Capital, set up with support from IFAD and EU funding and entirely owned by members of the Malian diaspora, invests in small and medium-size enterprises in Africa including agri-businesses, aiming to raise US$2 million by 2026 and US$10 million over the longer term. In Mali, Ciwara has invested in Zira Capital, an impact investment fund.
Among the new investments of Ciwara and Zira is SOPROTRILAD, a Malian company that provides over 3,000 small-scale farmers with inputs, such as seed and fertilizer, and in return buys the rice they harvest. IFAD’s INCLUSIF project has supported SOPROTRILAD in building relationships with rice cooperatives and introducing them to climate-smart production techniques, such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).
Ibrahima's cooperative has signed an agreement with SOPROTRILAD, and despite a steep learning curve, he immediately spotted the potential of the new farming approaches. “It is more beneficial for us,” he says. “For example, for a 0.25-hectare field, we used to use 13 kg of seeds, while with SRI we only use 2–3 kg. SRI uses less water, which reduces the use of motor pumps and saves fuel.”
The mission of SRI-2030 is to scale up SRI and the complementary agroecological farming practices around it. In order to help scale and speed SRI adoption, SRI-2030 is partnering with organisations and governments across Africa funding dedicated Breakthrough Facilitators, whose role is to train up extension workers and farming communities. The Breakthrough Facilitator in Cameroon is agroecology expert Charlin Tsaffo.
Francesco Zampaolo Carnevale, SRI-2030 Programme Director, visited Cameroon to plan activities and make field visits with SRI-2030’s newest partner, Cercle International pour la Promotion de la Création (CIPCRE), an NGO in Cameroon. Together, they chose four areas in the Western Region to begin with: Bangourain, Santchou, Koutaba and Bamendjou. The SRI efforts will be integrated CIPCRE’s agroecological approach with the SRI promotion strategy used by Julius Fileshi, an early SRI adopter in the North-West. Briefly, the plan involves one-day SRI trainings for 600 farmers; training 60 farmers as trainers (provided with weeders, seeds and support), and community pilot plots in each zone for community participation, demonstrations and direct practice).
Elles sont plus de 500 femmes de la région des Savanes (nord-Togo) à bénéficier depuis lundi d'une formation sur le système de riziculture intensive (SRI).
Le système SRI permet d'augmenter la production tout en réduisant les coûts et les ressources au bénéfice des agriculteurs. Pour la FAO, promouvoir le SRI sur ces sites de production, c'est participer aussi à la production durable du riz au Togo.
English translation: ...more than 500 women from the Savanes region (northern Togo) have benefited from training the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The SRI system increases production while reducing costs and resources for the benefit of farmers.For FAO, promoting SRI on these production sites also means participating in sustainable rice production in Togo.
Côte d’Ivoire has secured a US$50 million climate finance package from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to help thousands of smallholder farmers adapt to climate change and improve food crop resilience. The funding will support the Enhancing Sustainable Land Management and Climate-Resilient Agri-food Systems in Côte d’Ivoire (LARACI) project to promote climate-smart practices, including cassava-legume intercropping, wider adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to increase water-use efficiency and lower methane emissions, and climate-smart yam staking techniques.
The five-year project brings together the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, CGIAR and the country’s Interprofessional Fund for Agricultural Research and Advice (FIRCA) to scale proven climate solutions across the regions of N’Zi, Moronou, Iffou, La Mé and Gbêkê.
Africa Institute of Corporate Citizenship has expressed satisfaction with the Resilient and Sustainable Livelihood Transformation (Result) project which has helped farmers to boost their production in rice value chain in Malawi. The project seeks to develop effective, just food systems and sustainable livelihoods through strengthening the rice multi-stakeholder partnerships with specific focus on women and youths.
Speaking on Friday in Salima District, the organisation’s project officer Joana Khoriyo said, "With funding from We Effect, the Rice Value Chain project helps farmers graduate out of poverty. We are impressed with the project's progress as farmers are able to produce more rice because they use System of Rice Intensification [SRI].”
Governments and their partners across four countries on the African continent are hosting SRI-2030's SRI Certification, launched in April 2026. With four levels from Foundation to Master Trainer - each requiring verified evidence of SRI knowledge and practice - the scheme is designed to build lasting knowledge, awareness, and practice within national systems, creating a cadre of trainers and practitioners to carry SRI forward at scale. Hosts include: the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and RICOWAS in Nigeria; Concern and the Government of Liberia in Liberia; the Government of Zambia's Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), and the Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre in Zambia; and in Madagascar, ENSOA, the national military officer training academy, based in Antsirabe - the birthplace of SRI!
SRI-Rice's insight:
To learn more about the SRI-2030 Certifications, contact Joshua Gibbs <joshua@sri-2030.org> at SRI-2030.
The system of rice intensification (SRI) was implemented in Mali to boost rice productivity. The objectives of this paper are to identify the constraints faced by SRI adopters, estimate the food security index, and assess the impact of in-depth adoption of SRI on smallholder farm households’ food security. Using primary data collected on rice farm households, the study combines the multivalued treatment effect inverse probability weighted regression adjustment and the propensity score matching models for consistent and efficient impact estimates. The results show that the major constraint faced by SRI adopters is labor shortages. The results also show that SRI adoption improves rice farm households’ food security in Mali
RICOWAS has trained over 10,000 smallholder farmers in four states, Gombe, Nasarawa, Niger and Jigawa states to adopt the System of Rice. The project in Nigeria is aimed at strengthening climate change resilience and boosting rice productivity for smallholder farmers by scaling up SRI across the country.
Farmers Field Days in Gombe and Jigawa showcase strong adoption and results from the SRI methodology. The project has also strengthened partnerships with organisations including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; ADPs in various states; and SRI 2030, a UK-based NGO promoting SRI globally, among others.a
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) addresses global food security and environmental challenges by improving yield, reducing water use, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in resource-constrained agricultural systems. SRI has achieved yield increases of 10–114% compared to conventional methods, with water savings of 40–74% due to AWD irrigation. Methane emissions are reduced by up to 70%, while enhanced soil microbial activity and improved root development increase plant vigor and resilience to drought and pests. However, adoption is hindered by labor-intensive practices, knowledge gaps, and access to training and irrigation infrastructure.
Mechanization, such as drum seeders and mechanical weeders, can reduce labor by up to 97% and 28.3%, respectively, but access remains limited. SRI can offer sustainable rice production by improving yield, resource efficiency, and environmental outcomes. However, scalability is constrained by labor demands and knowledge barriers. Mechanization and extension services are critical to overcoming these challenges.
Dans le cadre de la collaboration entre l’initiative SRI-2030 et Enda Pronat, un champ école paysan (CEP) a été mis en place à Ndoundour pour expérimenter et promouvoir le Système de Riziculture Intensive (SRI). Portée par les femmes du Groupement de Promotion Féminine (GPF) de la localité, cette initiative marque une étape clé vers une […]
As part of the collaboration between the SRI-2030 initiative and Enda Pronat, a Farmer Field School (FFS) was established in Ndoundour to pilot and promote the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Led by the local Women's Promotion Group (GPF), this initiative marks a key step towards more ecological, economical, and productive rice farming.
Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has called for greater adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Speaking at a COP30 side event during the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025 in Dakar, Senegal, Kyari said Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda is already demonstrating how innovation can strengthen resilience against climate change.
Kyari cited Nigeria’s success with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which has doubled yields, increased farmer incomes, created over 30,000 jobs, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Discover how Tanzanian farmers are boosting rice production despite climate change using System of Rice Intensification (SRI)! Learn key practices like young seedlings, reduced water use, less fertilizers, and smart spacing to grow more rice with fewer resources.
The Malian government has unveiled a US$24.4 million initiative to nearly double the nation’s rice production by 2030. Dubbed the National Program for Scaling Up the Intensive Rice Farming System (PN-SRI), the initiative was formally launched at a national forum in Bamako on April 17. Led by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with GIZ-Mali, the 10-year strategy targets a production increase from 3 million tonnes to 5.5 million tonnes of paddy rice.
The initiative is grounded in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a cultivation method designed to optimize yields through improved water and soil management, better spacing, and input efficiency. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 245,000 producers across one million hectares, boosting local paddy rice production.
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.
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.
The theme of this January 21, 2025, webinar is “System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Research in Africa” (This is the third in the SRI Research Webinar Series, which is hosted by the SRI Global Research Network.) Speakers were: 1. Aisha Abdulkadir (Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria) presented “Enhancing Food Security in Africa through SRI: Challenges and Opportunities” 2. Primitiva Andrea Mboyerwa (Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania) presented “Eco Rice: The SRI’s Pathway to Multiple Sustainable Development Goals”
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