Sustainable Intensification & Diversification of Rice-based Inland Valley Systems Paul Kiepe

Sustainable Intensification & Diversification of Rice-based Inland Valley Systems Paul Kiepe Regional Representative for East and Southern Africa Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Sustainable Intensification of Cereal-based Farming Systems 6-9 February 2012, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Presentation outline 1. Rice Production 2. Importance of Lowlands for Crop Production 3. Production Constraints in Lowlands 4. Production Opportunities in Lowlands 5.Relevance of Proposal for Tanzania 6. Conclusion

Rice Production • Rice is the World’s most important staple • Staple food of more than 3 billion people • Produced in more than 130 countries • Rice is usually grown for the domestic market (only 6% is grown for export) • About 12 countries export rice while only 5 of them dominate world export

Rice Production in Africa

Rice Demand in Africa • Staple food for many Africans • Since 1975 demand in Africa higher than production in Africa • Africa imported 9.3 Mt in 2010 • 1/3 of the world market • 40% of its own needs • Rice demand in Africa is growing fastest in the world (6% per year)

Rice Production Constraints in Africa • Traditional production leads to low yields • Overdependence on rain-fed systems • Minimal use of external inputs • Outdated varieties & poor seed quality • Poor grain quality • Insufficient policy support • Lack of research and extension capacity

Presentation outline 1. Rice Production in Africa 2. Importance of Lowlands for Crop Production 3. Production Constraints in Lowlands 4. Production Opportunities in Lowlands 5.Relevance of Proposal for Tanzania 6. Conclusion

Rain-fed Lowlands

Yield Potential of Rice Ecologies

Mega Environments Rain-fed Uplands Highland Systems Rain-fed Lowlands Irrigated Systems

Not All Lowlands Are Suitable • Fragile wetlands should be saved and not developed for agriculture • Traditional uses like cultural ceremonies should continue • Natural biodiversity can be utilized but not destroyed • Environmental services need to be taken into account

Cultural Ceremonies Should Continue

Presentation outline 1. Rice Production in Africa 2. Importance of Lowlands for Crop Production 3. Production Constraints in Lowlands 4. Production Opportunities in Lowlands 5.Importance of Lowlands for Tanzania 6. Conclusion

Land Tenure Conflicts • State vs traditional ownership • Land owner vs tenant • Native vs immigrant • Upstream vs downstream

Effect of Climate Anomalies • In Africa crop failure due to drought occurs already once every 5 years • Incidence and severity of drought expected to worsen with climate change • Rain-fed ecologies are most vulnerable • Irrigated lowlands face increased water competition

Low Labour Productivity • Manual labour leads to: • Cultivating small plots • Late planting  Late harvest  Low yield • Bad leveling  Uneven maturity  • High harvest and post-harvest losses • Drudgery

Land Tenure Conflict Management • Multi-Stakeholder Processes • Include all stakeholders • Land users (gender!) • Land owners • Policy makers • Negotiate long-term lease of land • Allow for investments • Ensure stability

Improved Water Management • Improved water control • Water conservation • Bunded paddies • Contour bunds • Water harvesting • Reservoirs • Micro-catchments

Water Productivity • Increase water productivity • Develop low water-use systems • Optimize water productivity of shared water bodies

Small-Scale Mechanization • Land preparation (one power tiller plows the equivalent of 90 able men) • Threshing • Transport • - field to farm • - farm to market • Milling

Importance for Tanzania • Rice is the second most important crop in Tanzania • 75% of rice is produced in rain-fed lowlands • Productivity of rice is generally low • Including vegetables will decrease undernourishment • Vegetables will increase farm income

Purpose of Proposal • Enhance the productivity and competitiveness of inland valley lowlands through sustainable intensification and diversification of agricultural productivity and product value chain development while conserving land and water resources

Work In Rice Development Hubs • Rice sector employs 20 million farmers • Most of them women • Sustains livelihood of 100M people processors producers producers traders

Four Main Pillars • Multi-Stakeholder Platforms • Environmental Systems Analysis • Intensification & Diversification • Work in Rice Development Hubs

Products • Vibrant inland valley communities that resolve constraints and conflicts • Spatial model applicable at national scale to determine agricultural potential and ecosystem services • Innovations that enhance productivity and resource efficiency • Successful adaption by private sector and development partners

Conclusion • Tanzania has to step up rice production because the world market runs out • Rain-fed lowlands can largely supply enough rice for Tanzania and beyond • Sufficient lowland area will remain intact for traditional and environmental uses • Realization of sound water management can make rain-fed lowlands climate proof

Thank you! Asanteni! Center of Excellence for Rice Research

Sustainable Intensification & Diversification of Rice-based Inland Valley Systems Paul Kiepe