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The Rice Hub Approach: How It Is Working In
Sierra Leone (Part 1)
By: Richard Bockarie
Web Vol: 1 No. 1 29 Jan. 2015
In the vital areas of production, consumption and imports, the rice crop is not only important but is taking the lead among all other crops in Sierra Leone. Its lack or even insufficiency can lead to social, political and economic instability and when rice is enough in the country much of what is used for its importation can be used to meet other development needs. It can also generate and enhance social interactions and prosperity for all. Therefore, the government's agenda of achieving national food security, commercializing the agricultural sector and bringing prosperity for all can hardly be achieved without developing the rice sector in the country.
There is a vast land area of different ecologies for growing rice in Sierra Leone: Upland, Inland Valley Swamps,(IVS), Riverain grass land, Boli and Mangroves. While the focus of farmers in Sierra Leone over the years have been the upland ecology mainly for rice production, government emphasis and encouragement together with its multiple partners is for farmers to make use of lowlands that have better potential of giving higher rice yields than the pittance Sierra Leonean farmers get from their hard labour in cultivating rice for almost throughout the year. So, the Rice hub approach or initiative by AfricRice was discussed and agreed on, and is being implemented in Sierra Leone and many other countries in similar situation in the continent. And so where are the rice hubs in Sierra Leone? What have they done? Is there any future for rice production? What are the challenges?
As the goal of AfricaRice Rice Hub initiative is to increase rice production of partner countries to meet both domestic need and for export,agricultural scientists need to generate suitable and affordable technologies in place of low yielding rice varieties ,labour consuming and unproductive cultivation practice in that have place for serious problems including pests and diseases, iron toxicity, salinity all of which make rice farming unprofitable.
To this end, agricultural scientists at the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre (RARC) of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) have continued to search out for suitable technologies or innovations, putting same along aside farmers local rice varieties. For example, RARC scientists in the Taskforce have since....undertaken what is known as "Farmers Adoption Trial"(FACT) in the Mangrove Rice Hub located in the northern region of the country. Nine farmers were selected in the trial to assess the performance of three outstanding improved rice varieties as against the performance of their local rice varieties under their own farming condition and management. The outcome of the exercise will clearly enable farmers to appreciate and adopt the better high yielding rice varieties suitable for cultivation under their own farming condition and management.
Within the Mangrove Rice Hub, farmers together with RARC have continued to evaluate or assess other rice varieties from AfricaRice. The exercise is known as "Participatory Advanced Trial (PAT) and Multiple Environment Trial (MET).The outcome of this trial will make farmers learn and adopt the varieties of rice that are adaptable to their condition and management, resistant to salinity, diseases, insects and other pests. Analysis of this will soon be made and conclusion reached by the participating farmers. Farmers were also involved in the multiplication of Rok 10 and WAR 77-3-2-2.The objective is for them to get access to seeds of soil tolerant rice varieties for mangrove swamps. Harvesting is currently in progress at Rokupr.
Because iron toxicity is a serious problem in IVS, FACT, PAT and MET were also carried out in rain fed lowlands, that is in IVS rice hub in Rokupr, Bo and Blama. The Objective is for farmers to know and adopt rice varieties that are tolerant to iron toxicity, pests, insects and diseases. In addition, improved rice varieties including Nerica L19, and Rok 24 were distributed to farmers within the hub for multiplication. In Rokupr at MAWIRR, IVS was used to undertake breeder seed production of both released and pre released rice varieties. At the same time and in Rokupr also, rice breeding continued in, Rain fed Lowland -IVS hub .An exercise known as Preliminary Multi Environment Trial (PET) was undertaken. 30 accessions or improved rice varieties or lines from AfricaRice are being assessed there for adaptation, high yield potential and acceptable user qualities. In the area of hybridization, ten new crosses were made with the objective to develop a new plant types with low multiple stress tolerance, earliness, high yield and acceptable grain quality.
In the area of post harvest and food technology programme, fabrication and testing of Rotary Weeders was carried out to reduce drudgery, high labour cost and enhance increased rice production, .The testing was done in the riverain and IVS rice hubs located in the Bo and Kenema districts. and the Task force will do same in the mangrove ecology. During the testing process, the Japan type weeder proved outstanding and popular with farmers."I like the Japanese type because I can dismantle it and take it to my farm as well as assemble it when I am ready to work with it", a farmer said during the testing process with other rotary weeders. Because it is adjustable, farmers of all heights can use it. Another advantage appreciated by farmers is that the Japanese Rotary Weeder has in front of it a floater that controls the weeder from burging into the soil.
On the socio -economic and post harvest aspect of the rice hub development approach in Sierra Leone, baseline survey has been conducted to know the existing status of the rice hubs along the agricultural product value chain in terms of existing rice varieties, agronomic practices, income levels, educational status, post harvest practices etc. The objective being to know the existing situation of the farmer together with his farming practices as against coming interventions with a view to increasing rice productivity and production as well as raising his standard of living. Following such interventions, impact assessment of livelihoods, adoption of new technologies, educational levels, nutrition and health among others will be assessed.
The team or Taskforce has also conducted post harvest assessment in the three rice hubs namely IVS, Riverain grassland and Mangrove Swamps. Traditional post harvest practices were looked into and will be compared with improved post harvest technologies involving the active participation of farmers so as to decide which is better for adoption.
The Rice Hub Approach: How It Is Working In
Sierra Leone (Part 2)
By: Richard Bockarie
Web Vol: 1 No. 2 29 Jan 2015
In the first part of this article, and as an introductory and background information, I gave a brief situation analysis of the rice sub sector in Sierra Leone by looking at the socio-economic and political import of the rice crop, hence its lead role among the many and available food crops in the country; the hugely available potential for rice production and also the government’s policy stance for farmers to use the available lowland ecologies as a result of the rapidly declining fertility of the upland ecology; the need to protect it (upland ecology) for the cultivation of other crops and for other related development initiatives, among many others.
As an organization with the mandate to help partner countries in Africa to increase rice productivity and production as well as its multiple products, AfricaRice has come up with the Rice Sector Development Hubs Approach for implementation by its various national partners on the continent.
In response to this initiative, scientists of the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre (RARC) under the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) together with other national partners and actors have begun implementing the initiative. For example, RARC scientists have since the inception of the rice hub development initiative undertaken what is known as "Farmers Adoption Trial"(FAT) in the Mangrove Rice Hub. Farmers were involved in the trial to assess the performance of three outstanding improved rice varieties as against the performance of their local rice varieties under their own farming condition and management. The outcome of the experience will clearly enable farmers to appreciate and adopt the better high yielding rice varieties suitable for cultivation under their own farming condition and management.
Also, within the Mangrove Rice Hub, RARC scientists have introduced rice varieties from AfricaRice. The exercise is known as "Participatory Advanced Trial (PAT) and Multiple Environment Trial (MET).The outcome of this trial will make farmers learn and adopt the varieties of rice that are adaptable and suitable to their condition and management, resistant to salinity, diseases, insects and other pests. Analysis of this will soon be made and conclusion reached by the participating farmers. Farmers were also involved in the multiplication of Rok 10 and WAR 77-3-2-2.The objective is for them to get access to seeds of soil tolerant rice varieties for mangrove swamps. Harvesting is currently in progress.
In Sierra Leone, iron toxicity is a serious problem in the cultivation of the rice crop commonly in the Inland Valley Swamps (IVS). As a result, RARC scientists carried out FAT, PAT and MET in rain fed lowlands, that is in IVS rice hubs in Rokupr, Bo and Blama. The Objective is for farmers to know, appreciate and adopt rice varieties that are tolerant to iron toxicity, pests, insects and diseases. As the availability of quality rice seed is one serious impediment to productivity and production, improved rice varieties including Nerica L19, and Rok 24 were distributed to farmers within the hub for multiplication. In Rokupr at MAWIRR, IVS was used to undertake breeder seed production of both released and pre released rice varieties. At the same time and in Rokupr also, rice breeding continued in rain fed Lowland -IVS hub. An exercise known as Preliminary Multi Environment Trial (PET) was also undertaken. 30 accessions or improved rice varieties or lines from AfricaRice are currently being assessed there for adaptation, high yield potential and acceptable user qualities. In the area of hybridization, 10 new crosses were made with the objective to develop new plant types with low multiple stress tolerance, earliness, high yield and acceptable grain quality.
In the area of post harvest and food technology programme, fabrication and testing of Rotary Weeders were carried out with the purpose to eventually do away with or at least reduce drudgery, high labour cost and enhance increased rice production,. The testing was done in the riverain and IVS rice hubs located in the Bo and Kenema districts. The Task force in-charge of this operation intends to do same in the mangrove ecology. During the testing process, the Japan type weeder proved outstanding and popular with farmers."I like the Japanese type because I can dismantle it and take it to my farm as well as assemble it when I am ready to work with it”, a farmer said during the testing process with other rotary weeders. Because it is adjustable, farmers of all heights can use it. Another advantage appreciated by farmers is that the Japanese Rotary Weeder has in front of it a floater that controls the weeder from burging into the soil.
On the socio -economic and post harvest front of the rice hub development approach in Sierra Leone, baseline survey has been conducted to determine the existing status of the rice hubs along the rice product value chain in terms of existing rice varieties, agronomic practices, income levels, educational status, post harvest practices etc. The objective being to know the existing situation of the farmer together with his farming practices as against coming interventions or innovations with a view to increasing rice productivity and production so as to raise the quality of life of our farmers as well as boosting the national economy. Following such interventions, impact assessment of livelihoods, adoption of new technologies, educational levels, nutrition and health among others will be assessed.
The team or Task force has also conducted post harvest assessment in the three rice hubs namely IVS, riverain grassland and Mangrove Swamps. Traditional post harvest practices were looked into and will be compared with improved post harvest technologies involving the active participation of farmers and for them to make informed decisions for adoption.
Salinity is one major factor that significantly brings down farmers rice yields in mangrove swamps in Sierra Leone. Although the West Africa Agricultural Development Association (WAADA) now known as AfricaRice long ago helped to delineate salinity period zones, Rokupr scientists in collaboration with partners are making efforts to tackle this problem by determining or delineating areas that are free of salinity for long, medium and short periods; more so against the background of the current threat of climate change. In addition, Rokupr entomologists are conducting studies on the molting time period of crabs that are very serious pests in mangrove swamps with a view to recommending to mangrove swamp farmers the appropriate time of planting. Studies together with the involvement and active participation of farmers of other Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) including best bet fertilizer practices are also conducted.
Partners in the Sierra Leone Rice Development Hubs are no doubt doing their best to boost rice productivity and production and the development of its various products in Sierra Leone. For example, the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) is building the human, physical and financial capacity of RARC to help farmers meet domestic rice sufficiency as well as for export. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is also helping farmers in developing their IVS as well as providing Rural Banks so as for them to access the needed credit facilities. Yet, the challenges are huge and daunting, considering the policy shift from production to rice product value chain. And until enough resource investment is brought to bear on the rice sub sector and producing rice along its value chain, it will be difficult to say goodbye to the painful paradox of spending needed foreign exchange for the importation of the golden crop – rice, in Sierra Leone in the midst of vast lowland ecologies, large rivers for irrigation and enough rainfall and other related potential for enough domestic rice production and for export.
THE END
Rice Sector Development Hubs Activities
Agronomy Taskforce
Objectives of the above mentioned taskforces activities include:
1. To test different handy, mechanical (rotary) weeders with farmers to obtain farmers’ preference and develop concept for prototype.
2. To introduce agronomical validated or well-known technologies for integration as good agricultural practices (GAP) on farmers’ fields.
3. To determine the optimal nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer rates for specific lowland rice fields.
4. Evaluate fertilizer guideline obtained from ‘RiceAdvice’relative to farmer’s fertilizer management practices and current recommendation practice.
On-farm validation trial for ‘RiceAdvice’
RiceAdvice is an interactive computer-based decision tool, which provides a fertilizer guideline for a rice field based on the response to easy-to-answer multiple choice questions about the rice field. RiceAdvice application will be used to obtain a fertilizer guideline use to compare in the same rice field with the farmer’s current fertilizer practice (FFP) and current recommendation.
Activity Status
Land lease Land is provided by Farmers
Site history and selection The sites in the 2 districts are in the IVS.Some of the IVS sites are perennial whilst others are seasonal swamps. Rice is grown as the main crop for the past three years. For the seasonal swamps, cereals other than rice and vegetables are generally grown. Fertilizers rates applied are generally less than recommended. Selections of farmers’ fields were partly based on differences in soil texture/seasonality and other factors affecting the supply of nutrients; partly on baseline survey data.
Land preparation Experimental plots were laid out according to the experimental design. Three non- replicated experimental plots were demarcated on farmers’ fields, non- replicated. Plot sizes were 10 m x 10 m (100m2) with bunds and 50 cm between plots. This was established at twenty sites on farmers’ fields.
Soil sample collection and analyses Composite soil samples were collected with auger at 0 - 20 cm depth using the W-scheme of 13 cores has been collected and processed.
Experimentation Three plots (100 m2 each) with three fertilizer treatments were established in a farmer’s field:
T1 - Farmer’s fertilizer management practice (FFP)
T2 - RiceAdvice fertilizer guideline
T3 - Current fertilizer recommendation
Approach: involve researchers, extension workers; and farmers participate in the setting up of the field trial by discussing the fertilizer treatments and prepare the schedule for the activities needed to implement the trial.
The amounts of fertilizers for RiceAdvice treatment were determinedthrough interview of the farmer using the RiceAdvice.
Field monitoring and current status The collaborating farmer with backstopping from field staffs manages the entire 300 m2 area uniformly according to their current practices.
Field evaluations and calculations of RiceAdvice Forms 1 to 11 are collected through the TABLETS machines by completing installed questionnaires. Completed data entered will be forwarded to AfricaRice web.
On-farm Nutrient Omissions
Background
Nutrient omission trials represent research designed to facilitate the development of Nutrient Manager through which the need of a specific field for N, P and K can be estimated from the reply of a farmer about the management and characteristics of the field.
Activity Status
Land lease Land is provided by Farmers
Selection and history of sites The experimental locations were sites in 3 districts of Bo, Kenema and Tormabum locatedin the IVS and deep flooded agro-ecologies. Some of the IVS sites are perennial whilst others are seasonal swamps. Rice is grown as the main crop for the past three years. For the seasonal swamps, cereals other than rice and vegetables are generally grown. In the deep flooded, most of the fields are flooded from July to November. Flooding is usually up to 1.3 m high.
Land preparation Experimental plots werelaid out according to the experimental design. Four non- replicated experimental plots were demarcated on farmers’ fields. Plot sizes were 5m x 5m (25m2) with bunds and 50 cm between plots. This was established at twenty sites on farmers’ fields; in each of the hubs.
Soil sample collection Composite soil samples were collected with auger at 0 - 20 cm depth using the W-scheme of 13 cores and processed.
Experimentation At each site, 4 fertilizer treatments (N0P20K25 = 0kgN/ha, 20 kg P/ ha, 50 kg K/ha; N110 P0 K50 = 110 kg N/ha, 0 kg P, 50 kg K/ha;
N110 P20 K0 =110 kg N/ha, 20 kg P/ha, 0 K/ha) and N110 P20 K50 =110 kg N/ha, 20 kg P/ha, 50 K/ha)
Fertilizers were applied as single element fertilizers vis - a - vis
N = Urea: CO(NH2)2 - 46.7% N; P = Triple Super Phosphate: Ca(H2P04).H20 ; K = Muriate of Potash (KCl).
The totals of 4 plots, non-replicated per site were transplanted as farmer practice (generally random transplanting, spacing 0.2 m x 0.2 m). All required amount of phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium were applied as treatment recommendation.
Field monitoring Field experimentations are ongoing and most fields in the Riveraine grassland ecology are at the flowering stage of crop growth. Experimental fields were managed by both researchers and farmers.
Agronomic and socio economic data are collected through the TABLETS by completing installed questionnaires. Recorded questionnaire will be sent to AfricaRice.
Basket of Good Agronomic Practices
Background
A basket of good agricultural practices (GAP) is an integration of component technologies, which have been validated by agronomists in the targeted Rice Sector Development Hub (Hub), or well-known as good practices. From 2013, introduction of a basket of GAP was implemented in the Hubs, after surveys.
In 2013, 3 component technologies were evaluated based preliminary on the results from the diagnostic and yield gap surveys. Similar component technologies fine-tuned and selected for on farm evaluation in 2014 cropping season based on discussion with farmers during implementation in the previous year.
Activity Status
Land lease Land is provided by Farmers
Site history and selection Same as above
Land preparation Experimental plots werelaid out according to the experimental protocol and design as agreed with AfricaRice. Three experimental plots were demarked on farmers’ fields, non- replicated. Plot sizes were 5m x 5m (25m2) with bunds and 50 cm between plots. This was established at thirty sites on farmers’ fields in each rice hub.
Soil sample collection and analyses Composite soil samples were collected with auger at 0 - 20 cm depth using the W-scheme of 13 cores. The total of 30 composite soil samples has been collected.
Planting Planting was done as follows:
IVS
At each site, 3 treatments of GAP were demonstrated viz-a- vis
1) Bunding to control water
2) Bunding to control water plus incorporation of 2.5 tons /ha rice husk, at 7 days before transplanting
3) Bunding plus rice seed soak in 0.025% Zinc sulphate for 15 hours before nursing plus incorporation of 2.5 tons /ha rice husk, at 7 days before transplanting.
The totals of 3 plots, unreplicated per site were transplanted as farmer practice (generally random transplanting, spacing 0.2 m x 0.2 m). Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied uniformly at 60:40: 40 N, P2O5 and K2O kg/ha.
Deep flooded
At each site, 3 treatments of GAP were demonstrated viz –a –zis
1) Adaptable floating rice variety – Indo chin blanc
2) Early seeding – Late May /first week in June
3) Application of pre-emergence herbicide – Butachlor – 60% EC, 1 – 1.5 kg active ingradient (ai) per hectare.
The totals of 3 plots, unreplicated per site were direct seeded, randomly after ploughing and harrowing with a 40 horse power tractor. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied uniformly, as basal at 60:40: 40 N, P2O5 and K2O kg/ha.
Routine field monitoring and current status. Periodic field visits during implementation are undertaken.
Agronomic and socio economic data were collected and recorded into questionnaires in Tablets provided by AfricaRice. Planted rice crops in the IVS are at their vegetative stage of growth whilst at flowering growth stage in the Riveraine grassland ecology. All raw data collected will be transmitted to AfricaRice database in the web.
Participatory evaluation of various mechanical weeders
The objective of this study is to test various handy, mechanical weeders with farmers to obtain farmers’ preference and develop concept for prototype of weeders. Testing was done by randomly selected farmers and information on rice growing conditions, soil type and weed conditions. Data will also be collected and analyzed through participatory approach, farmers’ evaluation and preference.
Activity Status
Land lease Land is provided by Farmers
Site history Same as above
Land preparation Farmers’ fields for the participatory evaluations were selected during initial training workshop of farmers and technicians. This was followed by site visits with participants. Since random broadcasting of seeds in the Riveraine grassland ecology and random transplanting in the IVS are common practices, participating farmers Associations were requested to use row sowing or line transplanting, which allows the use of mechanical weeders. During 2014 cropping season, six types of weeders were evaluated. Six non-replicated experimental plots were demarcated on farmers’ fields. Plot sizes were 10m x 10m (100m2) for each type of weeder to be evaluated. This was done at 6 farmers’ fieldsper hub.
Planting Planting were done by farmers in their fields. We superimpose after seeding or transplanting by first demarcating the test plots.
On average 10 to 12 farmers are selected per site for testing. Of these, at least 4 of the farmers are female.
Monitoring The team from Rokupr and technician based at the sites are doing periodic field visitsto the sites recording agronomic and socio economic data into TABLET phone.
Below are some photos of rice fields.
Continuation of Japanese Emergency Rice Initiative/Mechanization activity
Background
This activity was initiated in 2013 cropping season and continues during 2014 cropping seasons. Most of the participating farmers and farmers associations in 2013 continue in the 2014 cropping season. Few new farmers associations join the scheme this season.
Specific Objective(s):
1) To improve access to improved quality rice seeds
2) To promote capacity building and knowledge: small- scale mechanization.
Activity Status
Land lease Land is provided by Farmers
Describe site history Same as above
Identification and selection of seed producers Thirty farmers associations including 10 new ones are involved in the scheme continuing with the 2013 agreements. For new members, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) forms were signed by each farmers group suggesting that they were given inputs of seed rice plus technical support as loans at 25 percent interest in the form of seed rice.
Input supplies
All registered collaborating farmers associations were supplied with seed rice. Unlike 2013 cropping season, no fertilizer inputs were supplied to continue participating associations because of limited availability. New farmers associations were however supplied with fertilizers. Quantities of input supplied were partly based on farm sizes and/or areas of operation. Farmers Associations were supplied with Nerica L 19 and ROK 24. None of the continued farmers associations requested for seed rice. They used seeds reserved from last season’s harvest.
Planting Transplanting of rice, weeding and fertilizer applications are ongoing at various stages of operations.
Observation All farmers associations have transplanted their rice and are at the tillering stage of growth.
Routine field monitoring The team Leader, team and field supervisors monitor the fields. Management of the rice crop are done by contract farmers under the supervision of SLARI field technicians at Kenema in collaboration with the IFAD national project office of Kenema and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS) Staff of Bo.
Capacity builing and knowledge – Small mechanization
Activity Status
Identification of kit of equipments to buy and fabricate Equipments have been identified and lists forwarded to AfricaRice. Awaiting arrival of kit to Sierra Leone.
2. Training of SLARI, MAFFS and NGO’s technicians and Extension staff, farmer representatives. 1) In country training of local fabricators in the development of small-scale equipments such as rotary –weeders.
2) In country training of farmers’ representatives, technicians and MAFFS extension staff on the operations await arrival of tool kit.
Strengthening Rice Value Chains in West Africa (IFAD6) Projects
The overall goal of the project is to contribute to food security and reduce poverty in West and Central Africa by strengthening the rice value chain. The project’s objectives are to improve the productivity and efficiency of rice value chains, and increase income of the value chain actors. The specific objectives of the project are: (i) Facilitate large adoption of new improved knowledge and technologies; (ii) Establish functional linkages among actors along the rice value chain; and (iii) Facilitate training of farmers and other value-chain actors (input dealers, rice millers, and rice marketers).
Activity under the IFAD 6 project in the 2014 cropping season is mainly conducting survey on postharvest loss assessment using protocols and questionnaires developedby AfricaRice. This activity is undertaken alongside other rice hub activities.
Before commencement of activities, a one day annual planning workshop was held on 25th June 2014 in Bo, a day after the National Rice Hub Partnership Workshop on 23rd and 24th June, 2014. The objectives of the workshop were to update stakeholders about the project and highlight on the expectation of impacts that would beachieved through active participation of farmers.
Program of events during the workshop were presentations on highlights of phases 1 and 2 activities, objectives, and achievements. This was followed by general discussions in development processes and 2014 activities. Presentations by two NGO’s were made to share experiences with participants. Highlights of scalable technologieswere shared with participants and strategies for scaling up of technologies were suggested.
In conclusion, it was unanimously agreed on selection of farmers for the adoption of technology. The District Agricultural Officer (DAO), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS), Bo reminded all the participants of their responsibility to leave a legacy in the farming practice by promoting and adopting the technology for the common good of Sierra Leone.He thanked all for attending the workshop and he requested for closer collaboration with other stakeholders in the rice hubs.
Activities in the field have been initiated. Questionnaires have been pretested in the Bo/Kenema and Tormabum rice hubs. Administrating all questionnaires to survey areas will be done as soon as possible.
Women farmers are empowered through adaptation of rice technologies - Gender
This activity is ongoing alongside activities of other taskforces activities in Bo/Kenema and Tormabum Rice hubs.
Realizing the agricultural potential of inland valley lowlands in Sub-Saharan Africa while maintaining their environmental services (RAP) Project
The major objective of the programme is to contribute to increase the output and productivity of rice-based systems through intensification and diversification of inland valley ecosystems while minimizing potential negative effects on environmental services.
Activities focused on three work packages:
• WP1: Participatory development of competitive, gender-sensitive and socially-acceptable rice-based value chains through multi-stakeholder platforms.
• WP2: Analysis of opportunities and risks related to agricultural production and environmental goods and services and participatory land and water use planning.
• WP3: Development of innovative technologies that allow for sustainable intensification and diversification of productive resources linked to farm diversity.
Following the inclusion of SLARI, Sierra Leone into the RAP project in 2013, a planning workshop was organized in Monrovia, Liberia on the 20th – 23rd January, 2014; planned activities were developed based on the available project time (ending December 2014). Activities undertaken under each work package implemented to date include facilitation of multi-stakeholder Platforms in Bo and Kenema, development of inventory and geo-database of IVS (develop and non-developed systems) including shapefiles and attributes; and diagnosis of agro-environmental performances of rice-vegetable cropping systems and on-field evaluation of the residual effect of fertilization of vegetable crops and residues on rice production and soil fertility.
In all three work programmes, activities are ongoing. These include questionnaire surveys, soils surveys, shapefiles and data bases have been finalized and/or corrected. Most activities implemented under the WP 2 are being finalized. Sites and stakeholders for the MSP have been selected.MSP workshops for the creations of MSP structure, group identification and purpose are ongoing.
The station was initially set up in 2013 but was functional after the technical rectifications by AfricaRice Staff, early 2014. To date the instrument functions well and data periodicallyrecorded .
The specifications of the station are as follows:-
WEATHER STATION COORDINATES – Sierra Leone
Location : Tormabum Hub
Longitude - N 07.41517o
Latitude - W 012. 00449o
Altitude: 11m
Conclusively, Ebola continues to be affecting travelling of researchers from places due to many health check points and the quarantine of some areas. Fortunately, most areas of our operations have limited or no effect of Ebola. SLARI has technicians based in these hubs like Bo, Blama and Tormabum that continue their work. Our areas of operations include Bo, Tormabum and along the Great Scarcies river. However, all surveys conveying contacting different villages and farmers have been put on hold till after the Ebola crises. With the ‘state of public health emergency’ in Sierra Leone, universities and schools are none functional; we therefore suspend all large group of farmers trainings and recruitment ofa PhD student for MSP work.