Sustainable Rice Production Project (SRPP) PROGRESS REPORT 1 Website/Progress... · Sustainable...
Transcript of Sustainable Rice Production Project (SRPP) PROGRESS REPORT 1 Website/Progress... · Sustainable...
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security,
Sierra Leone
Sustainable Rice Production Project
(SRPP)
PROGRESS REPORT 1
March, 2018
JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY
RECS International Inc.
Project Location Map
River/stream
Main road
Bombali District
Kambia District
Port Loko District
District capital
ABC supported under
ICADEP
Legend
Koinadugu District
Tonkolili District
Moyamba District
Western Area
Rural District
Project Area:Bombali, Port Loko and
Kambia Districts
Rep. of Guinea
Makeni
Port Loko
Kambia
Bombali
Port Loko
Republic of
Sierra Leone
Photographs on the Project Activities
Baseline Survey
Capacity Development of Extension Workers
Capacity Development of FBO Farmers in IVS
Other Activities
Transplanting IVS development Harvesting
Training of MAFFS engineer staff on
topographic survey Survey on post-harvest processing
District Task Force meeting
Training on TP-R
Focus group discussion
Refresher course on TP-R
Selection of questionnaire survey
enumerators
Review workshop on monitoring of rice
cultivation
Key informant interview
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Sustainable Rice Production Project
Progress Report 1
Table of Contents
Project Location Map
Photographs on the Project Activities
1. Outline of the Project ....................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Background .................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Objectives and outputs ................................................................................................................... 1
1.3. Project area, counterpart organization and implementation structure ............................................ 2
2. Project Activities and Results Obtained ............................................................................................ 4
2.1. Preparation of the Project Implementation Setup .......................................................................... 4
2.1.1. Presentation and discussion of a work plan in the first period ............................................... 4
2.1.2. Establishment of the Project implementation structure .......................................................... 4
2.1.3. Procumbent of equipment ...................................................................................................... 4
2.2. Activities related to Output 1 ......................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1. Design and implementation of the baseline survey ................................................................ 5
2.2.2. Results .................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.3. Selection criteria for model FBOs ........................................................................................ 20
2.3. Activities related to Output 2 ....................................................................................................... 21
2.3.1. Capacity Development of extension workers ...................................................................... 21
2.3.2. Capacity development of FBO farmers in IVS .................................................................... 28
2.4. Activities related to Output 3 ....................................................................................................... 30
2.4.1. Field survey on rice cultivation in IVSs in the target area of the Project ............................. 30
2.4.2. Review of the manual and the guideline for better disseminating the TP-R ........................ 30
2.4.3. Study on other rice cultivation techniques developed by various donors/institution ........... 32
2.5. Activities related to Output 4 ....................................................................................................... 33
2.5.1. Information sharing with other donors and NGOs for collaboration ................................... 33
2.5.2. Project PR ............................................................................................................................ 33
3. Issues to Be Addressed ................................................................................................................... 35
3.1. Issues and/or challenges to achieve the Project purpose ............................................................. 35
3.1.1. Technical issues .................................................................................................................... 35
3.1.2. Socio-economic issues ......................................................................................................... 35
3.1.3. Management issues on FBOs/ABCs .................................................................................... 35
3.2. Project Design Matrix (PDM) ..................................................................................................... 36
3.2.1. Definition / understanding of the Technical Package on Rice Production (TP-R) ............... 36
3.2.2. Logical sequence between Project purpose and outputs ...................................................... 36
4. Project Direction and Strategy ........................................................................................................ 37
4.1. Project direction ........................................................................................................................... 37
4.2. Project strategy ............................................................................................................................ 37
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5. Proposed Activities in the Next Phase ............................................................................................ 39
5.1. Detailed activity plan (Draft) ....................................................................................................... 39
5.1.1. Capacity development of FBO farmers in IVS .................................................................... 39
5.1.2. Development and introduction of facilitation measures to adopt the TP-R ......................... 39
5.1.3. Training on rice development in a third country .................................................................. 40
5.2. Modification of PDM .................................................................................................................. 40
5.2.1. Confirmation on the definition of the TP-R in the PDM ..................................................... 40
5.2.2. Adjustment of logical sequences between outputs and Project purpose .............................. 40
5.2.3. Setting of the target figures of Objectively Verifiable Indicators (OVIs) ............................ 40
List of Tables
Table 1 Aspects to be covered and survey methods .............................................................................. 5
Table 2 Target number of households of the questionnaire survey ....................................................... 7
Table 3 Schedules and coverages of the surveys ................................................................................... 7
Table 4 Division of labor in reproductive activities .............................................................................. 9
Table 5 Division of labor in IVS rice productive activities ................................................................... 9
Table 6 Mean values of the IVSs surveyed ........................................................................................... 9
Table 7 Operational conditions of rice milling machines installed in ABCs ....................................... 10
Table 8 Basic Information on FBOs .................................................................................................... 12
Table 9 Average size of group farms in 2017 ...................................................................................... 12
Table 10 Number of farmers, average area and revenue from major crops ........................................ 16
Table 11 Labor requirement per ha ...................................................................................................... 17
Table 12 Number of meal and rice consumed ..................................................................................... 19
Table 13 Proposed criteria for selection of FBOs ............................................................................... 21
Table 14 Number of participants in the TP-R introductory training ................................................... 22
Table 15 Result of the tests conducted before and after the training sessions. .................................... 22
Table 16 Evaluation of the training by the participants ....................................................................... 22
Table 17 Selection of the nursery site.................................................................................................. 24
Table 18 Programme of the first topographic survey training ............................................................. 27
Table 19 Roles of three parties in the Agreement ................................................................................ 28
Table 20 Results of rice yield survey in IVS of the four advanced FBO in Kambia ........................... 29
Table 21 Outline of the training on operation and maintenance of milling machine .......................... 30
Table 22 Main features of SRI ............................................................................................................ 33
Table 23 Rice related activities of donors/NGO and envisaged collaboration area ............................ 33
List of Figures
Fig. 1 Implementation structure of the Project ...................................................................................... 3
Fig. 2 Land tenure for the group farms of FBOs ................................................................................. 12
Fig. 3 Rice varieties used by FBOs ..................................................................................................... 13
Fig. 4 Utilization of the produce ......................................................................................................... 13
Fig. 5 Main activity of ABCs .............................................................................................................. 14
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Fig. 6 Facilities of ABCs ..................................................................................................................... 14
Fig. 7 Yield of IVS rice in FBOs in 2017 ............................................................................................ 15
Fig. 8 Three most important crops cultivated by the households ........................................................ 15
Fig. 9 Land tenure of the IVS rice fields used by the households ....................................................... 16
Fig. 10 Variety of rice .......................................................................................................................... 17
Fig. 11 Source of technical information .............................................................................................. 18
Fig. 12 Reason for keeping land uncultivated ..................................................................................... 18
Fig. 13 Reason for low yield ............................................................................................................... 19
Fig. 14 Month when the rice stocks ran out ........................................................................................ 19
Fig. 15 Staple food consumed after the stock of rice ran out .............................................................. 20
Fig. 16 Coping Strategy for Food Shortage ........................................................................................ 20
Fig. 17 Impacts of Ebola on farming activities ................................................................................... 20
Fig. 18 Different method of seed selection ......................................................................................... 24
Fig. 19 Nursery period ........................................................................................................................ 25
Fig. 20 Number of seedlings per hill ................................................................................................... 25
Fig. 21 Distance between hills ............................................................................................................ 25
Fig. 22 Number of days from sowing to harvesting ............................................................................ 26
Fig. 23 Example of revision of extension material.............................................................................. 31
Fig. 24 Quick reference chart of cropping calendar ............................................................................ 31
Fig. 25 Relationship among the Project purpose, the Project directions and the Project strategies .... 38
List of Appendixes
Appendix 1 Record of Discussion ................................................................................................ A-1
Appendix 2 PDM (version 1) ....................................................................................................... A-19
Appendix 3 Project work flow and schedule................................................................................ A-22
Appendix 4 Staffing and assignments .......................................................................................... A-23
Appendix 5 List of equipment procured....................................................................................... A-24
Appendix 6 Minutes of JCC meeting ........................................................................................... A-25
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Acronyms and abbreviations
ABC Agricultural Business Centre
BES Block Extension Supervisor
BRAC Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee
CP Counterpart
DAO District Agriculture Officer
EPP Employment Promotion Programme
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FBO
FEW
FFS
Farmer Based Organization
Frontline Extension Worker
Farmer Field School
FGD Focus Group Discussion
GAFSP
GIZ
Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme
German Agency for International Cooperation
GOJ Government of Japan
GOSL Government of Sierra Leone
GPS Global Positioning System
ICADEP Inclusive and Comprehensive Agriculture Development Programme
ICT Information and Communication Technology
IFAD
IFT
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Integrated Farmer Training
IVS Inland Valley Swamp
JCC Joint Coordinating Committee
JICA
KII
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Key Informant Interview
MAFFS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security
NSADP National Sustainable Agriculture Development Plan
PDM Project Design Matrix
PO Plan of Operation
R/D Record of Discussion
SCADeP Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project
SCP Smallholder Commercialization Programme
SMS
SRDP
Subject Matter Specialist
Sustainable Rice Development Project
SRI
SRPP
System of Rice Intensification
Sustainable Rice Production Project
TP-R
WAAPP
WAATP
Technical Package on Rice Production
West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program
West Africa Agricultural Transformation Program
WFP World Food Programme
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1. Outline of the Project
1.1. Background
Rice is a staple food in Sierra Leone consumed more than 100 kg per person per year in 2013 (FAOSTAT).
However, domestic production of rice (milled) does not meet the demand, and more than 300,000 ton of
milled rice was imported in 2014. In the meantime, 85 percent of small-scale rice farmers own less than 1
ha of farmland. Under such circumstances, enhancement of productivity and profitability of small-scale
rice farmers is an urgent issue to be tackled for food security and poverty reduction in the Country.
Until now, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a Japanese semi-governmental organization
responsible for implementing bi-lateral technical and financial cooperation programs/projects to
developing countries, has implemented two technical cooperation projects in the agricultural sector since
2006 to Sierra Leone, especially in Kambia District, to contribute to the strengthening of food security in
the Country through the enhancement of the rice productivity.
In the light of the successful implementation of the previous project, “Sustainable Rice Development
Project (SRDP)” which ended in 2014, the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) requested to the
Government of Japan (GOJ) on an implementation of “Sustainable Rice Development Project Phase 2”
for continuous cooperation and support to the achievement of rice self-sufficiency. GOJ accepted the
request and entrusted JICA to implement the Project. In response to that, JICA conducted the Detailed
Planning Survey on the Project for confirming the Project components, necessary arrangements by GOSL
and JICA, and so forth, and the Record of Discussions (RD) on “Sustainable Rice Production Project
(SRPP) in the Republic of Sierra Leone” (the Project) was agreed to and signed by the Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS) of Sierra Leone and JICA.
1.2. Objectives and outputs
According to RD, Overall Goals and Project Purpose are as follows:
Overall Goals: 1) Rice productivity is increased in Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) in three districts
(Bombali, Kambia, Port Loko)
2) The improved Technical Package of Rice (TP-R) which is applicable for farmers
is disseminated to Farmer Based Organization (FBO) farmers in IVS countrywide
Project
Purpose:
The improved TP-R which is applicable for farmers is disseminated to FBO farmers
in IVS in three districts (Bombali, Kambia and Port Loko).
Project Purpose will be achieved through four outputs indicated below.
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Expected Outputs of the Project
Output 1: The situation of IVS rice farming in three districts is summarized.
Output 2: The rice cultivation and processing techniques of trained farmers are improved in three
districts.
Output 3: The improved TP-R which is applicable for farmers is utilized in FFS training for farmers.
Output 4: The improved TP-R which is applicable for farmers is recognized as recommended
cultivation techniques in countrywide. (Output 4 is aimed to achieve the overall goal.)
1.3. Project area, counterpart organization and implementation structure
The Project area
The Project covers the following three districts:
Bombali District (Population: 606,544; Area: 7,985 km2)
Kambia District (Population: 345,474; Area 3,108 km2)
Port Loko District (Population: 615,376; Area: 5,719 km2)
*Population is cited from Population and Housing Census, Summary of Final Results (2015).
Counterpart organization
The MAFFS is the implementing body of the Project, and officers of the three district agriculture offices
as well as the headquarters in Freetown are the counterpart (CP) personnel of the JICA experts.
Joint Coordinating Committee
In order to facilitate inter-organizational coordination for the Project, a Joint Coordinating Committee
(JCC) was established. JCC is to be held at least once a year and whenever deems it necessary. JCC
reviews the progress, revises the overall plan when necessary, approves an annual work plan, conducts
evaluation of the Project, and exchanges opinions on major issues that arise during the implementation of
the Project for finding the solution.
Task force
A Task force was established in each of the three districts, which consists of the District Agriculture
Officer (DAO), Subject Matter Specialists (SMS) of various fields (extension, crops, agricultural
engineering, and monitoring and evaluation), and Training Officers. The Task force aims at making the
technical team in the respective districts, the members of which collaborate with each other to enhance
the efficiency of the Project under the supervision of the DAO.
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Implementation Structure
Implementation structure of the project is shown in Figure
Source: JICA-SRPP team (modified based on the RD of the Project)
Fig. 1 Implementation structure of the Project
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2. Project Activities and Results Obtained
2.1. Preparation of the Project Implementation Setup
2.1.1. Presentation and discussion of a work plan in the first period
In June 2018, the content of a work plan in the first period was explained to the officers of the three district
agriculture offices and researchers of Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre (RARC). In July 2017, a kick-off
meeting was convened on July 3, 2017 at the MAFFS. Following the presentation of a work plan by the Chief
Advisor of the Project, comments and concerns were raised from the participants and answers were given by
the JICA-SRPP team and an officer of JICA Field Office in Sierra Leone.
In the first JCC meeting on the Project held in August 2017, contents of a work plan of the Project were
presented by the JICA-SRPP team and the work plan was approved by the JCC (refer to Appendix 6).
2.1.2. Establishment of the Project implementation structure
(1) Project office and Project staff
The Project offices were established in Freetown, Makeni, Port Loko and Kambia. The office in Makeni
functions as a headquarters of the Project.
One local coordinator and seven (7) local field staff were employed by the JICA-SRPP team, to augment
implementation capacity of the Project.
(2) JCC
The JCC of the Project was formed and two meetings were convened in the first period of the Project. In
the first meeting in August 2017, a work plan and Project Design Matrix (PDM) of the Project were
shared with the participants. In the second meeting in February 2018, presentation of the Project
activities undertaken and results obtained in the first period as well as the proposed activities in the next
period of the Project were shared and discussed among the participants. Minutes of both meetings,
together with presentation materials and monitoring sheets of the Project are attached to this report as
Appendix 6.
(3) District Task Force
A district task force was formed in each district in November 2017. In the first meeting in November
2017, the following personnel were admitted as coopted members;
- BESs: members of Task Force
- National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL) District Coordinator and the chairperson
of agriculture committee of the district/ local council: observers
In the second meeting in January 2018, it was decided that the district Task Force meeting is to be
convened every month and that monthly report on the Project activities and minutes of previous meeting
are to be submitted by SMS of monitoring and evaluation and SMS of extension, respectively. The third
meeting was held in February 2018 as scheduled.
2.1.3. Procumbent of equipment
A total of 35 units of motor bikes were procured by the JICA-SRPP team to facilitate the field activities of the
MAFFS extension workers in the three districts (Bombali, Port Loko and Kambia). Handing over ceremony
of motor bikes to MAFFS was held in August 2017 and the bikes were handed over to the users after
execution of agreement between Project Manager and each user.
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Office equipment including six (6) sets of PCs, three (3) printers, three (3) photocopiers, three (3) projectors
with office furniture have been procured for the Project offices established in the three districts. Other
equipment necessary for field activities like GPS loggers, survey equipment, moisture meters and digital
cameras have also been purchased (refer to Appendix 5).
2.2. Activities related to Output 1
<The situation of IVS rice farming in three districts is summarized.>
2.2.1. Design and implementation of the baseline survey
(1) Contents and methods of the survey
The baseline survey was conducted to capture the current situation of the target area, including
conditions of rice production in IVSs, status of livelihood of beneficiary farmers, as well as the situation
in which agricultural extension activities are carried out. It is thus to look into various aspects through
different survey method, as summarized in the Table 1 below.
Table 1 Aspects to be covered and survey methods
Thematic area Aspects to be covered Survey method
I. Agricultural development programs in Sierra Leone
a. Policies & strategies on
agricultural
development
a. National agricultural development plans & programmes
such as ICADEP, the progress of rice development
programme, budget allocations
Literature
b. Trends of assistance of
donors / development
partners
b. Projects/programmes of other donors / institutions
supporting in rice cultivation such as World Bank, IFAD,
WFP, FAO, BRAC
Literature & interviews
II. Socio-economic condition of rice farmers in the target area
a. Social situation a. Demographic compositions, human resources, nutrition,
living conditions, gender
Literature, interviews
& questionnaire
b. Economic situation b. Labour & employment, economic activities, income and
expenditure, access to and control over economic resources
Literature, interviews
& questionnaire
c. Impacts of Ebola Virus
Disease
c. Impacts on human resource, livelihood and farming
activities
Interviews &
questionnaire
III. Rice production and processing in IVS in the target area
a. Rice cultivation & farm
management
a. Rice farming system, cropping calendar, variety, seeds &
other inputs, use of tools, equipment & machineries, pests &
diseases, yield performances and constraints, requirements
and division of labor
Interviews &
questionnaire
b. Extension b. Extension approach, operational modality, capacity of
extension staff, potentials and challenges
Interviews &
questionnaire
c. Farmers organizations c. Experience, legal status, membership, assets, group farming
of rice, other group activities, affiliation to ABCs, external
supports and services obtained
Interviews &
questionnaire
d. IVS development d. Location, topographic conditions, water availability, extent
of physical development, technical potentials and issues,
cohesiveness of FBOs working in the IVS, capacity of
relevant engineering staff
Interviews & field
survey
e. Post-harvest processing e. Capacity and activities of ABCs, methods of milling and
parboiling of rice, marketing of rice, availability, utilization
& maintenance of equipment & machineries, experience of
and opportunities for training
Interviews, field
survey & questionnaire
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To capture all the aspects listed in Table 1, the following four types of surveys were implemented.
1) Literature review
As the preliminary step of the survey, literature review was conducted, in which various
already-existing resources including the reports of and materials developed by the foregoing SRDP,
the report of the detailed planning survey of the Project, population census and other reference
materials were thoroughly reviewed.
2) Qualitative surveys
Regarding agricultural production, extension, and the socioeconomic status, some qualitative
information collection such as Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion
(FGDs) were undertaken. To obtain general picture of communities, famers and their activities,
some key personnel of the district agriculture offices as well as the extension staff at the field level
were interviewed at first in the KIIs. They provided the Project with current conditions in general,
overall trends of production and livelihood in their areas of jurisdiction and communities. After the
initial round of KIIs, a series of FGD sessions in 7 locations (3 in Bombali and 2 each in Kambia
and Port Loko) were organized with FBO members to grasp general conditions of respective
communities and to identify the key challenges in their production and livelihood.
3) Field surveys
As it has been anticipated that some model of participatory IVS development with involvement of
farmers will be tried out in the Project, the baseline survey also included the situation analysis of the
IVSs in the target districts. From the list of existing IVSs, some potential IVSs were selected for
further survey based on the criteria, such as size of IVS, seasonal availability of water in the IVS,
the capacity of FBOs working in the IVS, physical accessibility to the location, and so forth. The
Japanese expert in charge, together with the relevant SMS (agricultural engineering), took lead in
these field surveys. Out of the direct field observations through ocular visits as well as through
vigorous discussion with relevant district staff, the current conditions of existing IVSs were grasped
and the potentials and challenges for future interventions were identified.
Another sphere of aspects to be captured through field survey was on the post-harvest processing,
for which a total of twenty-four (24) selected Agricultural Business Centres (ABCs) were visited by
another Japanese expert in charge, together with the district extension staff and the Project staff in
the respective districts. The current situation of ABCs, including the conditions of machineries,
operation and maintenance and activities of post-harvest processing and treatment by those ABCs
were observed, while interviews and information gathering through questionnaire were also
conducted, out of which various challenges and scope for future capacity building were identified. A
rice processing plant operated and managed by a private sector at suburbs of Makeni was also
visited and interviewed to grasp the rice milling business in the country for reference,
4) Questionnaire survey
Aside from these surveys mentioned above, the interviews survey with farmers using questionnaire
forms was also implemented to capture the quantitative information, some of which shall serve as
the benchmark data on the indicators to measure the achievement of the Project, stipulated in the
Project Design Matrix (PDM).
The number of farm households to be interviewed in the baseline survey was 1,200 in total, which
were derived from three districts in accordance with the ratio of total number of farmers engaged in
rice cultivation in IVS in each district as summarized in Table 2 below.
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Table 2 Target number of households of the questionnaire survey
Bombali Port Loko Kambia Total
No. of IVS farmers (*)
15,479 21,563 14,186 51,228
No. of Blocks 6 5 4 15
No. of Circles 48 40 32 120
No. of farmers interviewed 480 400 320 1,200
No. of FBOs interviewed 108 66 92 266
*Note: The number of IVS rice farmers is cited from the Report of Detailed Planning Survey, JICA, 2016.
For this questionnaire survey, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was used, in
which the list of questions was then deployed as a mobile application to the smart phones of the
selected enumerators, who visited each household to administer the questionnaire and to input the
answers into the formats on the phones. To reduce possible mistakes in encoding, majority of the
answers to the questions were designed to be chosen from the given alternatives, while the farmers’
answers to any open question could directly be recorded by the keyboard of the phones. It was
confirmed that this method could not only reduce the time required for the interviews and data
encoding, but greatly contribute to improving the quality of the primary data from the field as well
as making the process of analysis more efficient.
As survey enumerators, BESs and FEWs in the three districts were mobilized and trained to
conduct field interviews. The field survey was conducted from the 4th to 20
th of December 2017.
During the survey period, each enumerator visited one to two FBOs as well as two to three farmers
a day for five days a week, and also conducted some data call-back to confirm any information that
was found to be controversial.
(2) Schedule and coverage of the surveys
The survey activities were carried out for a period of about six (6) months, starting with the initial
collection of literatures to be reviewed in September 2017, to the completion of the field survey on
post-harvest processing in February 2018. Details of the different surveys are as summarized in the
following Table 3.
Table 3 Schedules and coverages of the surveys
Type of survey Dates implemented Coverage
Qualitative survey
a. KIIs
b. FGDs
a. a. 26-28th Sep., 4-5
th & 9-12
th Oct. 2017
b. b. 4-5th, 11-12
th, & 16-18
th Oct. 2017
a. 42 Staff of DAO & 12 extension staff
b. 7 FBOs (3 in Bombali, 2 each in Kambia
and Port Loko)
Field survey on IVS
development 4-8
th & 20-22
nd Dec. 2017
26 Inland Valley Swamps (10 in Bombali, 10
in Kambia and 6 in Port Loko)
Field survey on
post-harvest
processing
22-24th, 29-31
st Jan. & 7-9
th Feb. 2018
24 ABCs (8 ABCs per district)
Private millers and operators
Questionnaire survey
a. Training
b. Orientation
c. Field interviews
d. a. 15-16th, 21-22
nd, 28-29
th Nov. 2017
e. b. 27th, 30
th Nov. & 1
st Dec. 2017
f. c. 4th-20
th Dec. 2017
• 1,200 households (480 in Bombali, 320 in
Kambia and 400 in Port Loko)
• 266 FBOs (108 in Bombali, 92 in Kambia
and 66 in Port Loko)
2.2.2. Results
(1) Major finding of statistical review and qualitative survey
The general conditions of livelihood and farming activities captured were in support of the trends
appeared in the statistics of the target districts. Major findings highlighted in the statistical review
included among others the following:
- Being predominantly in rural setting, there are challenges in living conditions including various
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facilities and amenities related to education, health and sanitation, as well as transportation and
communications,
- Educational attainment among population over 15 years remains low. Among the population over
15 years of age, 44% are with any form of education in Bombali, 43% in Kambia and 38% in Port
Loko, all of which are notably lower than the national average of 54%1,
- Access to the safe water also seems to be a challenge. More than 40% of the households in the
target districts obtain water for domestic use from unprotected sources such as streams,
unprotected wells and so forth2,
- Agriculture is predominant sector in the target districts. The majorities of the population, i.e. 72%
of total number of households in three districts, are engaged in agriculture, 84% of which are on
crop production3,
- The Food Consumption Scores (FCS) are referred to as a proxy measurement of food security of
households. In the statistics, all target districts recorded larger proportion of households than the
national average whose FCSs are ranked as “poor”, especially in Kambia (47%)4, and,
- The rice produced by farmers lasts for five (5) months in about 50% of the households in the
target districts, leaving them either relying on the purchased rice or altering the staple to other food
items5.
In qualitative survey through KIIs and FGDs, following points were highlighted in relation to rice
production in IVS:
- All of the target districts have IVSs, which are concentrated in some areas, not evenly dispersed.
- Rice cultivation in IVS is an important enterprise while farmers also produce other crops. The
farmers engaged in IVS rice production prefer IVS rice to upland rice because of the potentials of
double cropping and higher yields obtained in the IVSs.
- The yield performances of IVS rice reported by farmers participated in FGDs ranged from 0.6 to
1.5 Mt/ha as the farmers cannot afford/avail fertilizers, while the yield could reach to 2.4 Mt/ha if
fertilizer could be applied.
- Common challenges of rice cultivation in IVS raised during KIIs and FGDs include:
Water control (drainage) in the plots in the swamps
Difficulties in obtaining inputs, especially quality seeds, fertilizers and agro-chemicals
Lack of knowledge on / exposure to improved cultivation techniques
Shortage and/or high costs for labour
As for the extension approach, Farmer Field School (FFS) has extensively been conducted, while some
extension workers pointed out during the KII some challenges in conducting FFS as follows:
- Duration is too short for some crops,
- Meeting schedules are not match with critical production stage,
- Existing materials, brochures and handouts are not made available for field activities,
- Materials for demonstration are not distributed on time, and,
- Attendance is often affected at peak farming period by their engagement in activities for other
1 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CSFVA), 2015 2 Population and Housing Census: Summary of Final Results 2015 3 - do - 4 CSFVA, 2015 5 - do-
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crops.
Also, various constraints in carrying out extension activities in general were voiced out such as:
- The newly recruited volunteers are yet waiting for formal employment processes to be realized,
- The volunteers need to be equipped with proper knowledge and adequate skills as extension staff,
and,
- Mobility has chronically been a challenge, due to the limited provision of means of transportation,
wide geographical coverage, poor conditions of feeder roads, heavy rains in the rainy season and
so forth.
The qualitative survey also explored current status and issues of gender relations through the activity
profiling, such as division of labor and decision making. There are distinctive patterns of division of labor
observed both in reproductive and productive activities as indicated in the following Table 4 and Table 5.
Women are the main doers of the reproductive activities with partial assistance from other members of
household, and it should be noted that men are involved in these activities to lesser extent than other
household members do. As for IVS rice production, on the other hand, men are the main workforce, while
women also contribute a lot. FGD discussions revealed that women’s participation in rice production is
impeded by the heavy burden of reproductive activities, which may typically be exemplified in the cases when
any external laborers are mobilized, women have to stop working in the field in order to cook for them.
Table 4 Division of labor in reproductive activities
Source: Results of FGDs, SRPP, 2017
*Note: The scores were the sum of the points given to main doer (2 points) and regular assistant (1 point). “Others” mean other
members of household, such as children and dependent youths.
Table 5 Division of labor in IVS rice productive activities
Source: Results of FGDs, SRPP, 2017
*Note: The scores were the sum of the points given to main doer (2 points) and regular assistant (1 point). “Others” mean other
members of household and/or laborers.
(2) Major findings of the field survey on IVS development
The field survey on IVS development covered a total of twenty-six (26) IVSs that were proposed for
further study, the basic information of which are as summarized in the following Table 6.
Table 6 Mean values of the IVSs surveyed
District No.
of
IVS
No.
of
FBO
Mean Value of IVS Basic Information (each FBO)
No. of
Households
FBO Members Potential Are (a)
Irrigable Area (Cultivated Area)
Rainy Season (b) Dry Season (c)
Male (nos.)
Female (nos.)
Total (nos.)
(ha) (acre) (ha) (acre) Rate (b/a)
(ha) (acre) Rate (c/a)
Bombali 10 25 33.8 18.1 19.0 37.1 5.4 13.5 4.7 11.5 85.7% 3.4 8.4 62.2%
Kambia 10 10 23.0 18.3 12.2 30.5 11.0 27.1 7.9 19.5 72.0% 2.9 7.0 26.0%
Port Loko 6 6 46.9 29.1 20.4 49.5 5.4 13.4 5.4 13.4 100.0% 4.0 9.8 73.2%
Source: Data obtained through field survey, SRPP, 2017
Fetching
water
Collection of
firewood
Cooking
meals
Washing
utensils
Washing
clothes
Cleaning of
the house
Taking care
of children
Taking care
of the sick &
elders
Maintenance
of house
buildings
Community
meetingsTotal
Men 0 0 2 0 1 3 11.5 16 28 23.5 85
Women 22 22 28 14 24 23 28.5 26 11 18.5 217
Others(*) 20 17 12 28 17 16 2 0 3 0 115
Activities
Extent of
involvment
ActivitiesDrainage
clearing
Land
Prepara-
tion
Bund
making
Sowing /
nursery
manage-
ment
LevellingTrans
plantingWeeding
Fertilizer
applica-
tion
FencingBird
scaring
Harvest-
ing
Thresh-
ing
Winnow-
ingDrying Bagging
Storage
manage-
ment
Parboil-
ingMilling Total
Men 30 29 29 26 26 27 8 25 12 19 28 23.5 6 7 26.5 33 1 1 357
Women 8 3 5 15 11 11 28 4 3 7 10 13.5 30 29 12.5 9 32 29 260
Others(*) 4 10 8 2 5 4 6 4 3 17 4 2 6 6 3 0 9 12 105
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Most of the IVSs have already been developed by various projects and programmes, such as GAFSP,
ASREP, PLADP (Port Loko Agriculture Development Project by the government of Sierra Leone), LFM
(Linking Farmers to Market) etc., and the constructions of these IVSs were supervised either by MAFFS
or private companies.
In Bombali and Kambia, the most of irrigation facilities were constructed in these IVSs between 2010-17,
while in Port Loko, some were constructed in 2015-16, and others were constructed in 1990s. There
were a lot of abandoned or undeveloped paddy fields in these IVSs, and the irrigation facilities were also
found to require rehabilitations.
In these IVSs, the irrigation water was supplied by one or combination of two among three (3) type of
sources, i.e. i) the spring water, ii) the seepage water from the forest and iii) the inflow from upstream.
The amount of irrigation water seemed to change depending on seasonality, topography, stretch of forests
in surrounding area, geological conditions, extent of river basin (catchment area) and so forth.
There were some marshy areas in these IVSs the soil found on the ground of which may not be suitable
for cultivation or construction. These marshy areas tended to spread at poor drainage areas and the
topsoil contained the decayed straws and weeds (organic matter). The clay and sandy soil found in IVSs
have been used as the embankment material. The quality of the embankment structure seemed to have
been affected by improper practices such as the mixture of the organic matter and the construction
method (insufficiency in control of water content of soil and, compaction etc.).
In most of the IVSs, it was also found that internal bunds need repair, maintenance or to be newly
constructed. Some fields also seemed to need the land leveling, raising or upgrading of the canal bank.
FBO farmers reported that they have been suffering from water shortage in dry season, poor drainage,
lack of seed and fertilizer as well as shortage of workforce.
During interviews with farmers, it was also noted that the most of the past IVS development initiatives
were executed by mobilizing contractors thus without much involvement of beneficiary farmers.
Therefore, neither farmers nor MAFFS staff are well experienced in participatory IVS development.
Concurrently, FBO farmers do not have sense of ownership of the facilities as they have not participated
in IVS development works.
As for the technical capacities of the relevant MAFFS staff, it was found out that there have not been
sufficient opportunities of technical training, thus there are pressing needs to enhance knowledges and
skills in engineering in general, including basic skills of topographic surveys and IVS development
planning.
(3) Major finding of the field survey on post-harvest processing
Present operational conditions of rice milling machines at Agricultural Business Centres (ABCs) in the
target area of the Project are shown in Table 7.
Table 7 Operational conditions of rice milling machines installed in ABCs
Item / District Kambia Port Loko Bombali Total
ABCs surveyed by SRPP team 8 8 8 24
In which rice milling machine is working as of date of survey 6 4 0 10
Type of rice milling machine
Engelberg type 7 6 6 19
In which the machine is working 6 4 0 10
One-pass type 1 2 2 5
In which the machine is working 0 0 0 0
Source: Data from the field survey as of January to February 2018, SRPP
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The main reasons why the rice milling facilities are not in operation were roughly divided into the
following three (3) aspects.
1) Machines are broken down or parts are not available, machines cannot be operated.
In response to this situation, surveyor asked why repair is not available, and got the following
responses from ABC.
- Even if an ABC requested repair, no service man came due to the remoteness of its location.
- Even if an ABC contacted and requested repair to the district office of MAFFS, it is only
answered “Please contact the technical service man”.
- Contact addresses etc. of spare parts dealers or repairing service shops are not known.
- Because there are no personnel with appropriate maintenance and repair skills of machines in
ABCs, proper equipment management has not been possible. This caused many failures which
ABCs could not cope with.
- At the beginning of the delivery of the rice milling machines, technical lecture meeting was
held by inviting persons in charge of ABC, but at the workshop, the session on “rice milling
method” was held only for two days. In that case, lectures on “maintenance and repair method”
and practical training with actual handling of the machines were not conducted. As a result,
there is no person in charge who are equipped with the maintenance and repairing techniques.
- Since rice milling operation is a seasonal work which does not continuously employ the rice
mill workers, it is not possible to stably secure experienced operator throughout the year.
2) Some ABCs are located far from the villages where constituting farmers reside. As a result,
constituting members do not use the Centre.
If any farmer wants to process his/her paddy at ABC, he/she has to carry the paddy stored in the
house to the ABC facility, and after milling, the milled rice has to be brought back to the house. It
takes considerable transportation expenses to process paddy at ABC, and it is better to ask private
rice miller in the village near the house.
This problem seemed to be caused by inappropriate basic installation plan of the ABCs themselves,
and even if the rice milling machine is repaired in future, it can’t be thought that the farmers will
come back. It is necessary for stakeholders to consider how such ABC will be handled in the future.
3) Inactivation of the ABC, due to lack of abilities, negligence etc. of the ABC board members.
Due to the lack of capability and negligence of the ABC's board, all the functions of some ABCs
including milling machine operation and meeting room utilization for FBO members have not been
active. Since these ABCs did not actively operate the machines and other facilities, maintenance
was also neglected, and as a result, the equipment was left being unable to operate.
In ABC, the board members election is usually held once every two years. In case if the ABC
operation before the election is favorably recognized by the members, the board members will
usually be re-elected, but if the operation is unfamiliar or there is an opaque accounting process, all
board members will often be replaced by the election. Such cases of ABCs were also found during
this survey, in which the board members were totally replaced at the end of last year. In the event of
the change of all board members, no handover concerning the operation etc. has been done at all.
In addition, there was a point that the records of equipment itself or rice milling activities etc. were
not remained at all. It is necessary to make strict handover of administration work at the time of
change of board members.
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(4) Major findings of the questionnaire surveys
Questionnaire survey was composed of two parts, i.e. FBO survey and household survey, results of
which are separately presented in the following.
1) FBO survey
a. Basic profile of FBOs
About 17% among 266 FBOs surveyed, i.e. 46 FBOs, were headed by female representatives,
while the remaining 220 were with male heads. Regarding the educational background, 38% of
the FBO heads never attended any type of educational institution, while only 16% completed
secondary or proceeded above.
Basic information on the surveyed FBOs is summarized in Table 8, including the average
number of FBO members and proportion of women. In Bombali and Kambia, the number of
members was 30 and 40 respectively, while in Port Loko, the number was 50, higher than in
other two districts. Women occupied a half of the members on average in Bombali, while, the
proportion was slightly lower with 45% in Kambia and Port Loko.
Regarding the registration of FBOs, the majority of FBOs are registered either to MAFFS or
District Council (or both). However, 22% of FBOs were not registered to any institutions.
The last column in Table 8 shows how many months have passed since the FBOs were founded.
FBOs in Kambia and Port Loko were founded six years ago on average, while in Bombali, an
average operating period of FBOs was seven years.
Table 8 Basic Information on FBOs
District Number of
members
Proportion of
women
Proportion of FBOs
registered by MAFFs (%)
Months after the
date of Foundation
Bombali 30 0.50 64.8 90
Kambia 40 0.45 80.3 72
Port Loko 50 0.45 67.4 72
Average 41 0.47 69.5 80
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Among 266 FBOs, 260 had some group farm in IVS where members of FBOs were collectively
engaged in rice cultivation. The average size of group farms of FBOs in three districts was 2.46
ha as shown in Table 9. The average size of group farm of FBOs in Bombali was 2.8 ha, larger
than that in other two districts.
Fig. 2 indicates the type of land tenure of the group farms of FBOs. In Kambia, the majority of
the land is rented, while in Bombali and Port Loko, the land is often acquired by permission
from chiefs or personally owned by FBO heads.
Table 9 Average size of group farms in 2017
District Average size of group farm (ha)
Bombali 2.8
Kambia 2.0
Port Loko 2.4
Total 2.5
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 2 Land tenure for the group farms of FBOs
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b. Characteristics on IVS rice farming
Fig. 3 indicates the various rice varieties used in the IVS group farms by the surveyed FBOs. In
Kambia, the most commonly used variety was NERICA L19, while varieties with local names,
origin of which are not known, were most popular in Bombali and Port Loko.
Fertilizer was used by almost a half of all the surveyed FBOs. The most common type of
fertilizer was 15:15:15, although the other types such as 0:20:20, 20:20:0 and urea were also
used to a certain extent. Source of fertilizer was predominantly MAFFS as expected, but
interestingly, around 25% of FBOs in Kambia district answered that they obtained fertilizer by
purchasing from input providers. Use of organic fertilizer seems rather exceptional as more than
90% of the surveyed FBOs did not use any organic matter as fertilizer.
Fig. 4 illustrates how FBOs dealt with the produce obtained from their group farms. Nearly 80%
of FBOs set aside some part of harvested rice as seeds for the next season, and 40% distributed
rice or loan to members. Sale of the proceeds from group farms seems yet to be common as only
30% of FBOs were engaged in marketing of rice.
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
c. Activities and financial management of FBOs
In more than 80% of the surveyed FBOs, group work for farming activities in the group farms
was conducted more than once a week. Regarding a general meeting, more than 90% of the
surveyed FBOs held a meeting at least once a month and about 50% met once in two weeks or
more frequently.
About 30% of FBOs have received some kind of training in the past two years, the majority of
which was on farming techniques organized by MAFFS or NGOs.
Regarding the financial management of FBOs, nearly 40% of FBOs have utilized credit in 2017,
and around 70% among them had access to credit in kind, mainly seed and/or fertilizer loan.
Almost a half of the FBOs also had group savings which were derived from the contributions by
members or income from selling the produce from group farms. However, over 60% of FBOs
did not have bank accounts, which is somewhat surprising considering that FBOs are supposed
to open the bank accounts when they are registered.
d. Satisfaction on FBOs
More than 95% of the FBO heads answered that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their
FBOs. For those who are not, one of the major reasons for dissatisfaction was insufficient
support from external institutions in terms of inputs such as seeds and fertilizer.
Fig. 4 Utilization of the produce Fig. 3 Rice varieties used by FBOs
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e. Relationship with ABC
About 35% of surveyed FBOs belonged to ABCs, and 20% among them answered that any of
their members were not included in the ABC board. Fig. 5 shows the main activity of ABCs that
the surveyed FBOs belonged to. The most common activities were post-harvest related activities
including milling and storing. Marketing of rice and training of FBO members also seem to be
significant activities. Activities classified as “Others” include cleaning of ABC facilities and
provision of fertilizers.
Fig. 6 shows the availability of facilities at ABCs and accessibility to those facilities by the
FBOs. The commonly available or existing facilities included drying floor, grain store,
mechanical thresher, rice harvester and rice mill. For instance, drying floors were physically
available at the ABCs for 84% of the survey FBOs, but they were accessible for only 51% of
FBOs. These figures clearly imply that even if certain facility is physically available, whether it
is accessible for FBOs is a different story. Possible reasons for this gap can be the far distance
between the locations of the FBOs and those of the ABCs, poor management of ABCs which
allows some facility to be monopolized by a few members, or the lack of capacity to fully utilize
the facilities as members often do not know how to use the machines. These causes of low
access to the available facilities were also highlighted in the field survey on post-harvest
processing as described in the previous section 2.2.2 (3).
As to the satisfaction with the ABCs, 40% of those FBOs that belonged to ABCs answered that
they were dissatisfied with ABCs. Most of the reasons for dissatisfaction was centered on the
lack of access to ABC facilities and poor management.
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
2) Yield assessment
Separately from FBO interview surveys, the results of which have been presented in the section
above, the yield assessment was conducted for 57 FBOs, among which 17 are in Bombali, 15 in
Port Loko and 25 in Kambia. In the assessment, the Project staff visited the FBOs after harvesting
and weighed the produce together with the FBO members from January to February in 2018.
The average yield of all the 57 FBOs was 1,557kg/ha. The distribution of the yield performances in
the three districts is shown in Fig. 7 below. 75% of the yield data in Bombali, Kambia, and Port
Loko lied in the range of 115~1,349kg/ha, 1,549~2,449kg/ha, and 496~1,719kg/ha, respectively. As
shown in the figure, average yield of 2,175 kg/ha6 in Kambia was significantly higher than in other
two districts.
6 However, it should be noted that yields in Kambia were the figures calculated based on the amount of produce per area
of 25m2 unlike in other two districts where all produce was weighed, which may have raised the figures higher than
actual yields.
Fig. 6 Facilities of ABCs
Fig. 5 Main activity of ABCs
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3) Household survey
The household survey was conducted for a total of 1,200 households, composed of 480 households
in Bombali, 320 in Kambia and 400 in Port Loko.
a. Basic profile of the surveyed households
The average household size was 9.8 persons. 60% of the households belonged to the
predominant ethnic group of Temne, but those belonged to Limba and Loko also occupied
significant part especially in Bombali district. Among 1,200 households, 24% were headed by
female household heads, while 76% had male heads. The average age of household head was 45
years old. On average of three districts, more than 50% of the household heads never attended
school, while only 6% have finished the secondary education or proceeded above.
Fig. 8 summarizes the crops chosen by the surveyed households as “three most important crops”
cultivated by them. As the target respondents of the baseline survey were the farmers engaged in
IVS rice farming, almost all farmers selected IVS rice as one of the most important crops. Other
important crops cultivated by farmers included groundnut, cassava and upland rice. Vegetables
were also regarded as an important crop especially in Port Loko district. The following Table 10
indicates the average area devoted to and annual revenue from the major seven crops with the
number of farmers who mainly cultivate those crops. In terms of the area, IVS rice had the
largest area with nearly 1 ha on average. The highest annual revenue per crop was derived from
the sales of vegetables followed by cassava.
Fig. 7 Yield of IVS rice in FBOs in 2017
Source: Yield survey, January and February 2018, SRPP
Fig. 8 Three most important crops
cultivated by the households
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
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Table 10 Number of farmers, average area and revenue from major crops
Crops Number of Farmers who
mainly cultivate the crop7
Average Area of the crop
(ha)
Average Annual Revenue from
sales of the crop (Le)
IVS Rice 1,195 0.94 594,628
Upland Rice 296 0.74 643,500
Maize 51 0.40 434,722
Groundnut 437 0.63 571,923
Cassava 417 0.70 668,007
Sweet potato 114 0.44 416,007
Vegetables 226 0.42 937,700
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 9 illustrates the land tenure for the IVS rice field used by the surveyed households. The land
was predominantly owned through inheritance. If the cases of “Family clan owned” are included,
nearly 70% of the households had access to the land through kinships. On the other hand, 25%
of the households rented or leased the land. Purchase of the land seems to be rather exceptional
as a way to access the land. The average time spent by a farmer to reach to the IVS rice field was
28 minutes on foot.
It should be noted that 40% of the households answered that they had separate land for women,
and the average size of the land was 0.5 ha both in IVS and upland. There seemed to be different
trends among districts regarding the land type and crops grown in women’s land. Majority of
women who were provided with separate land in IVS were growing rice in Kambia district,
while, women with separate land in Bombali tended to grow root crops in upland fields. In Port
Loko, they were likely to grow rice and vegetables both in IVS and upland.
b. Characteristics on IVS rice farming
The average area planted with IVS rice in the rainy season of 2017 was 0.96 ha.
The detailed labor requirement for five major activities of rice farming, i.e. land preparation,
transplanting, weeding, harvesting and threshing & winnowing, is indicated in Table 11. The
table shows the average number of people engaged in the activity, number of days spent on the
activity and multiplication of these two factors which is known as “Man-days” in one hectare of
land. Land preparation was found to be the most labor-intensive and time-consuming. Despite of
the general perception of weeding as very cumbersome and labor-intensive work in rice farming,
it turned out, as shown in the table, that not many man-days were spent on this activity compared
to other activities like transplanting and harvesting. Besides, nearly 50% of households did not
7 This is the number of farmers who select that crop as the three most important crops among others they cultivate.
Therefore, number of farmers for IVS is not equal to 1,200, as five farmers regard other crops more important than IVS
rice even if they are engaged in IVS rice farming.
Fig. 9 Land tenure of the IVS rice fields
used by the households
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
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even conduct weeding and average frequency of weeding was 0.8 times, which implies the lack
of recognition about the importance of this undertaking.
Table 11 Labor requirement per ha
IVS rice farming activities Number of people engaged
in the activity
Number of days spent on
the activity
Man-days
Land Preparation 32 9.3 298
Transplanting 20 4.9 98
Weeding 12 5.8 70
Harvesting 21 4.3 90
Threshing & Winnowing 14 3.0 42
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 10 shows the variety of rice used in the
three districts. Some improved varieties such
as NERICA L19 and Pa Kiamp (ROK 34)
were cultivated by a significant number of
households, but locally named varieties were
predominantly used by the majority of
farmers. Some popular varieties included Pa
Kambia and Pa Gbassay, both of which were
used in all three districts.
Seed source varies depending on the variety.
NERICA L19 was mostly obtained from
MAFFS, and ROK24 was likely to be provided by donors. Pa Kiamp, buttercup and other
varieties were predominantly obtained through purchasing from or exchanging with other
farmers.
With regard to the use of fertilizer, only 33% of the households had access to fertilizer, the type
of which was, in most cases, NPK 15:15:15. Fertilizer was mainly obtained from MAFFS’s
fertilizer programme but purchasing from input providers was also observed especially in
Kambia district. Usage of organic fertilizer remained to be rather exceptional as it was used by
only less than 10% of the households.
As for the pests and diseases, rodents and birds were reported as the major two issues in the
three districts especially during the ripening stage.
The average yield of IVS rice in 2016 was 575kg/ha8. Harvested rice was used predominantly
for household consumption, but 47% of the surveyed households was also engaged in sale of
rice. Among those who sold rice, 67% sold through traders who came and bought their rice at
the farm gate, while 22% carried the rice to the market to sell by themselves. The average
distance to the market was 10 miles. Among those who carried rice by themselves to the market,
46% walked to the market, while 46% used commercial transportation. Predominant sources of
marketing information were traders and other farmers. When asked about the most important
factor for selling rice at a higher price, 67% of the households pointed out the better quality,
while 15% thought the necessity of processing and 13% counted on the importance of better
8 It is important to note that this figure was based on the farmer’s perception of the yield of 2016, which had unavoidable
limitation in terms of the data accuracy. Besides, this figure was calculated with conversion rate of one bushel for 28kg,
which may bet controversial as it is often pointed out that the actual weight of one bushel can vary a lot among different
localities.
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 10 Variety of rice
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Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 12 Reason for keeping land uncultivated
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 11 Source of technical information
taste of rice.
As for the post-harvest handling, 37% of the households stored rice in the bedroom/living room
in the house. Those who have access to separate storage facility was only 12% among all.
Almost all the farmers experienced the post-harvest losses caused by pests.
Double cropping was still not very common as only 20% of the households were engaged in
IVS rice cultivation in the dry season.
Only 154 households (13%) among all respondents heard of the TP-R, most of whom were
concentrated in Kambia district where previous two JICA projects were implemented. Among
the 154, 131 farmers actually tried to apply some techniques of TP-R such as planting of 2-3
seedlings, and 130 farmers confirmed that it was helpful in increasing the yields. There was one
(1) farmer who was not satisfied with the TP-R stating that another technique such as SRI was
better for him.
Farmers obtained the technical information on farming mainly from extension officers and other
farmers in the same village as shown in Fig. 11. It also became clear that FBO did not really play
its role as a hub to disseminate technical information, which might be addressed as one of the
spheres of intervention by SRPP.
Regarding the agricultural extension services, 64% of the surveyed households received direct
visits by extension officers during the cropping season in 2017 while 36% did not. More than
30% were not satisfied with extension agents, pointing out that they have not been visited by
extension officers frequently enough. It should be noted that not a few people felt that their
needs and concerns have never been considered by extension systems and programmes, and that
some even had no idea on what the extension was all about.
It was found that 48% of households kept some part of their land uncultivated. Fig. 12 illustrates
the distribution of reasons why they kept some land uncultivated. Lack of inputs, labor, and tools
are the most frequently raised reasons for leaving their land idle. It was also revealed that
fallowing land in order to replenish soil fertility was not very common in IVS unlike in upland
farming. Ill health of the family members was also likely to inhibit making full use of the
available land.
Farmers’ perception on the reasons behind their low yield is summarized in Fig. 13. Lack of
inputs, such as fertilizer and seed, and low soil fertility are considered as major causes for the
low yield.
There was a significant difference among the districts in terms of the access to the credit. In
Kambia, 83% of households used credit, while only 44% did in Bombali. The most common
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reason for not using credit was inexistence of
institution which gives loans to them. For
those who used any loan, the most popular
creditor was the trader.
About 90% of the surveyed households
belonged to FBOs, and more than 95% of
these FBO members were either satisfied or
very satisfied with their FBOs. For those who
were not satisfied, the primary reason was the
insufficient leadership of the FBO heads.
c. Food security
Table 12 shows the number of meals and amount of rice consumed per day per person in the dry
and rainy seasons. It clearly indicates that farmers had to reduce the number of meals and
amount of food in the rainy season compared to the dry season.
Table 12 Number of meal and rice consumed
Season Number of meals per day Number of buttercups of rice
consumed per person per day
Dry season 2.0 0.91
Rainy season 1.4 0.65
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
As to the self-sufficiency of rice, 91% of the
households stated that their production of rice
was not enough for the household
consumption throughout a year. Fig. 14
illustrates the month in which the rice
produced by the households ran out.
Irrespective of the difference of district, rice
was likely to be out of stock in July and
August, which is in the middle of the rainy
season.
During the past 12 months, 92% of the
households experienced any hunger period9. The pattern of the timing of hunger period was very
similar to the one seen in Fig. 14, implying the majority of farmers suffered from food insecurity
from July to September, when their stock of rice ran out.
Fig. 15 illustrates the trends of alternative staple food, i.e. what farmers ate after their stock of
rice has run out. Among those who were not self-sufficient in rice of their own produce, 87%
consumed the purchased rice and 11% consumed cassava instead of rice.
Fig. 16 illustrates the different strategies farmers took to cope with the food shortage. The most
common measure was to reduce the amount of food and the number of meals, which was also
highlighted in Table 5. Borrowing money and selling livestock or possessions also seem to be
important resorts.
9 Hunger period is defined as a time when there are serious difficulties producing or purchasing enough food to feed all
household members.
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 13 Reason for low yield
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Fig. 14 Month when the rice stocks ran out
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Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
d. Impacts of Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola Virus Disease (hereinafter referred to
as “Ebola”) which initially occurred in
2014, in Guinea, eventually spread into
Sierra Leone, having caused tremendous
damages in the entire country. This baseline
survey also covered some Ebola-related
topics in order to assess its impact on
farming.
Around 90% of households stated that their
farming activities were negatively affected by
Ebola. Fig. 17 highlights the activities which
became difficult due to Ebola. Majority of the households admitted that it was difficult to go to
the field physically as well as to collect sufficient labor during Ebola, probably due to the ban on
free movement and people’s fear against the infection.
Almost all the farmers asserted that, during Ebola, the price of inputs, selling and purchase price
of rice were all higher than normal years, which implies the occurrence of an inflationary
disturbance in the markets in the rural areas.
More than 90% of households experienced food shortage due to the Ebola outbreak. The coping
strategy during Ebola was also surveyed and the result indicates that the proportion of people
who took measures that were more serious than ordinary coping strategies such as selling
livestock or other possessions and consuming seeds was higher than in usual food shortage,
which strongly implies that the food insecurity experienced during Ebola was severer than
normal years. For instance, the proportion of those who consumed seeds in Bombali district
during Ebola reached up to 14%, which was two times higher than in the usual year. As
consumption of seeds should directly affect the availability of seeds in the next cropping season,
it is surmised that the adverse effects of Ebola on livelihood of those who had to consume seeds
were probably prolonged than the actual period of Ebola epidemic itself.
2.2.3. Selection criteria for model FBOs
The criteria for selection of FBOs are to be set based on the results of the baseline survey. The selected FBOs
will be the beneficiaries of the Project, who may, in later stage, also serve as “models” to further disseminate
the TP-R to the other FBOs and farmers in the communities. The selection criteria are used to assess and rank
Fig. 15 Staple food consumed after the
stock of rice ran out
Fig. 17 Impacts of Ebola on farming activities
Fig. 16 Coping Strategy for Food Shortage
Source: Questionnaire survey, December 2017, SRPP
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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and/or score the FBOs from various viewpoints, covering the four (4) aspects shown in Table 13 below.
Table 13 Proposed criteria for selection of FBOs
Aspects Criteria
1) Feasibility of Project
interventions Physical, organizational and technical feasibilities to maximize the effectiveness of
the intervention of the Project, e.g. existence of group farms operated together
among the members, regular undertakings of group work, etc.
2) Management capacity
and cohesiveness of
FBOs
The capacity to manage the members, assets and activities in carrying out the field
activities of the Projects, including leadership, cohesiveness among members,
conflict resolution, etc.
3) Potentials for further
dissemination of TP-R
Positioning of the FBO in terms of potential influences over and linkages with
other groups and institutions, e.g. accessibility, comparative advantages,
experiences of coordination with external entities, etc.
4) Sustainability of FBO
operations
Capacities and resources to be a basis for stable and continuous operations of the
FBO, e.g. physical and financial assets, securing of inputs for group activities, etc.
2.3. Activities related to Output 2
<The rice cultivation and processing techniques of trained farmers are improved in three districts.>
2.3.1. Capacity Development of extension workers
In order to achieve the Output 2 in the PDM of the Project, farmers of target FBO/ABC are to be trained the
TP-R and processing techniques by extension workers or outsourced professionals.
(1) Training of the extension workers on TP-R
1) Introductory training
The SRPP started three years after the completion of SRDP, the previous JICA project during which
the current TP-R was developed. During the implementation period of SRDP, the TP-R was
disseminated to a limited number of FBO farmers of the Kambia district by a few staff of Kambia
DAO only. It means that the TP-R has not been known even to the extension workers in the target
area of the Project, and that the capacity of the extension workers to disseminate the TP-R to the
farmers has not been built up.
In consideration of such a situation, it was decided to conduct an introductory training session of the
extension workers on the TP-R in the beginning of the Project period. Two days classroom training
courses for extension workers on the introduction to the TP-R were then carried out in July 2017 at
each of three DAOs in the Project area. A JICA Expert with two well-trained extension workers of
the Kambia district led the sessions as lecturers.
During the session, the following themes were taught:
- Yield components and growth stages of rice plant,
- Farming plan and cropping calendar (incl. exercise),
- Nursery and transplanting,
- Land development and land preparation,
- Fertilizer management and water management,
- Other issues (pest and diseases, harvest and post-harvest handling), and
- Seed production.
For each theme, PowerPoint presentation materials were prepared and explained during the session.
The printed presentation materials were distributed to the participants at the end of the session.
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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A total of 141 extension workers including 28 female workers attended the training sessions as
shown in Table 14.
Table 14 Number of participants in the TP-R introductory training
District Participants
Male Female Total
Bombali 32 8 40
Port Loko 41 18 59
Kambia 40 2 42
Total 113 28 141
Source: JICA-SRPP team
Results of the training were measured by comparing the two tests: initial test before the training and
achievement test after the training. The positive results were obtained as shown in Table 15.
Participants in Bombali showed the highest achievement in understanding the TP-R while the
scores in Kambia showed the minimum achievement.
Table 15 Result of the tests conducted before and after the training sessions.
District Number of
examinee
Initial test Achievement test
Average Max Min Average Max Mini
Bombali 34 6.8 8.2 3.6 9.1 10.0 6.4
Port Loko 55 6.2 9.1 0.9 8.2 10.0 3.6
Kambia 37 6.5 10.0 1.8 7.6 10.0 2.7
Source: JICA-SRPP team
The participants appreciated the training in many aspects when they evaluated the session. The
results of the evaluation by the participants are shown in Table 16.
Table 16 Evaluation of the training by the participants
District Evaluation items
Training text, materials Lecturer Management (time, venue)
Good Fair Bad Good Fair Bad Good Fair Bad
Bombali 89 11 0 83 17 0 72 28 0
Port Loko 98 2 0 93 7 0 93 7 0
Kambia 97 3 0 92 8 0 89 11 0
Average 95 5 0 89 11 0 85 15 0
Note: Average is the simple average of three districts although the number of participants differed.
Source: JICA-SRPP team
The participants thought that, among all themes they learnt, land development and land preparation,
fertilizer management, farming plan and cropping calendar, nursery preparation and transplanting,
and seed production are more of the importance than others.
They wanted the Project to repeat the same training, to conduct practical training in the field, to
extend the training duration, to distribute training materials, and to provide another specific session
on calculation of seeds and fertilizer, etc.
2) Refresher course on TP-R
After the monitoring of FBO rice farming in IVS in the rainy season was completed, one-day
refresher course on the TP-R was conducted for the extension workers in February 2018 at the three
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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DAOs. In this course, monitoring results were briefly reviewed to confirm that not many farmers in
the target area of the Project have practiced the farming techniques recommended in the TP-R.
The refresher course focused on the basic principles of the TP-R highlighting the importance of
timely farming practices in order to provide rice plants with favorable growth environment
throughout the growth period.
Three yield components which determine yield, growth stages of a rice plant, and their relationships
were reviewed first, and the preparation of cropping calendar referring to the growth stages of rice
plants was explained to remind the extension workers that each farming practice has its specific role
to enhance the growth of rice plant and that it will be more effective if it is made at specific growth
stage.
Participants practiced the cropping calendar preparation by splitting themselves into groups. After
the practice, each group made presentation to explain how they prepared the calendar.
Finally, several important farming practices were explained with pictures taken during the previous
project period by comparing good practices with bad ones.
The number of participants was 50 in Bombali, 31 in Kambia, and 46 in Port Loko, respectively.
(2) Monitoring on rice cultivation by FBOs in IVS
After the introductory training on the TP-R was conducted, FEWs were deployed to the field to monitor
the rice cultivation practiced by farmers in the target areas. The main purpose of this monitoring was to
grasp the differences between their current farming and the recommended practice of the TP-R. Besides,
it was also expected to contribute to the capacity building of FEWs as they could have ideas on the issues
to be addressed to enhance the yield through observing the growing process of rice and recording the
farmers’ practices.
FEWs were instructed to select 2 FBOs in their respective circle of coverage and to regularly visit the
farms of these FBOs to record the farmers’ practices in a monitoring sheet. The monitoring sheet
consisted of series of questions on IVS rice cultivation practices from sowing to post-harvest. For
questions regarding the critical techniques such as the condition of the nursery site, depth of transplanting,
number of seedlings per hill, and water condition of the IVS, FEWs were instructed to record the
information based not on the farmers’ answer but on the direct observation with their own eyes.
At the end of January 2018, in order to collect monitoring sheets and analyze the results, the review
workshops were conducted in the three districts. A total of 184 monitoring sheets were collected, in
which 61 are from Bombali, 47 from Kambia and 76 from Port Loko. In this workshop, FEWs were also
instructed to identify FBOs engaged in the second cropping of rice during the dry season, and in the
TP-R refresher training mentioned in the Section (1) 2) above, the monitoring sheets for the dry season,
which were slightly modified from the previous version used in the rainy season, were distributed to the
FEWs to be collected possibly in next May.
Among all the monitored FBOs, only 17% answered that they had any knowledge on the TP-R. The rate
was higher in Kambia, as 37% of farmers knew the TP-R, compared to 8.3% and 12.5% in Bombali and
Port Loko districts respectively, reflecting the fact that the TP-R was initially developed in Kambia
district. However, the majority of FBO farmers have not yet had any knowledge on the TP-R, which is
the exact challenge that the Project is going to address in the next four years.
The following are some of the areas where relatively large gaps were observed between farmers’ current
practices and the recommended actions in the TP-R which need to be highlighted.
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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1) Planning of the farming
TP-R recommends farmers to prepare the cropping calendar before starting the actual farming work
to ensure that each activity will be done on time. It should be developed on paper so that farmers
can easily refer to when necessary. Among 184 FBO farmers, only 20 farmers were observed to
have a cropping calendar. The proportion of those who prepare the calendar was higher in Kambia
with 18%, in comparison with 8.5% in Bombali and 9.3% in Port Loko district.
2) Land preparation
Land preparation for rice cultivation consists of brushing followed by clearing, digging, puddling
and leveling. Among these activities, the TP-R puts an emphasis on the importance of leveling, as it
enables a uniform environment for rice plants to access water and nutrients. According to the
monitoring, however, only 54% conducted leveling, implying the lack of recognition on the
importance of this activity.
3) Sowing and nursery
Before sowing, selection of seeds is necessary to ensure the healthy growth of the seeds. Major
methods of seed selection are sorting, selection of water and germination test, and combined use of
three methods are highly recommended.
Among surveyed FBOs, 59% conducted any
sort of seed selection and the rate of Kambia
was higher with 67% compared to 54% in
Bombali and 58% in Port Loko. Fig. 18
illustrates the different method of seed
selection conducted in the three districts. It is
clearly shown that the germination test was the
most commonly used method irrespective of
the district, while sorting and water selection
should be promoted as also important methods
to be combined with germination test.
When making the nursery bed, it is important to select the open area where the plant can easily
access the sunlight rather than under the shade of big trees. During the rainy season, the nursery
should be developed at the ground which is rather drier than other places in order to avoid the water
immersion. On the other hand, during the dry season, the wet place should be selected so that the
plant can absorb sufficient water. As this monitoring was conducted during the rainy season, the dry
and open site was the most suitable option for nursery. Table 17 shows the summary of the selection
of the nursery sites. Although, the majority of farmers selected open sites and dry nursery, there
were some who developed nursery bed at the inappropriate locations.
Table 17 Selection of the nursery site
Open Site Under Shade
Dry Nursery 138 11
Wet Nursery 23 1
Source: JICA-SRPP based on the monitoring results, 2018
4) Transplanting
The timing of transplanting, in other words, the nursery period, is an important factor determining
the growth of the plant after transplanting. TP-R recommends using seedlings of 2-3 weeks when
tillering starts at 4-leaf age. Use of older seedlings is not recommended as they need a longer time
Fig. 18 Different method of seed selection
Source: JICA-SRPP based on the monitoring results, 2018
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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to recover from the shock of being uprooted. Fig. 19 shows the nursery period of monitored FBOs,
which clearly indicates that farmers tended to use seedlings of older age than three weeks.
The TP-R instructs that transplanting should be done with 2-3 seedlings per hill at a distance of
about 20cm, but the majority of farmers tended
to plant more seedlings per hill with closer
distance than recommended as shown in Fig.
20 and Fig. 21. For those farmers, practices of
the TP-R would be quite helpful as the number
of seedlings per area would be reduced which
eventually saves the cost for inputs. In Kambia
and Port Loko, a few farmers planted one
seedling per hill, which is assumed to have
been guided by other projects which promoted
the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).
Source: JICA-SRPP based on the monitoring results, 2018 Source: JICA-SRPP based on the monitoring results, 2018
5) Application of fertilizer
The recommended dose of fertilizer application in the TP-R is N:P2O5:K2O=40:40:40 kg/ha taking
into consideration the limited availability of fertilizer in this country in general. Among the
monitored FBOs, only 37% stated that they used fertilizer. The most frequently used fertilizer was
N:P2O5:K2O =15:15:15, but 20:20:0, 0:20:20 and urea (46:0:0) were also used by some farmers.
Among those who used fertilizer, the average quantity of N, P2O5, and K2O applied was 24.6, 21.0,
and 21.2 kg/ha respectively, which were considerably lower than the recommended dose. Use of
organic fertilizer seemed to be exceptional as only 7% applied it.
6) Weeding
Weeds compete with rice plants for sunlight, nutrition and water. Besides, they grow faster than rice.
Therefore, weeding especially at an earlier stage of their growth is recommended in the TP-R.
However, weeding in IVS did not seem to be a common practice especially in Bombali and Port
Loko district as 60% and 72%, respectively, in these districts did not weed at all, while in Kambia
70% stated that they did weeding at least once. The importance of weeding as a crucial activity for
obtaining higher yield should extensively be disseminated by the Project.
7) Harvesting
The average yield of monitored FBOs was 594kg/ha based on the interviews with farmers, but there
was a significant difference among districts. The average yield in Kambia was 1,030 kg/ha, which
Fig. 19 Nursery period
Fig. 20 Number of seedlings per hill Fig. 21 Distance between hills
Source: JICA-SRPP based on the monitoring results, 2018
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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was twice as higher than 419 kg/ha in Bombali and 435 kg/ha in Port Loko. It might be understood
that these FBOs in Kambia were advanced in terms of farming practices such as preparation of
calendar, seed selection and weeding as discussed in the sections above, which was reflected in the
higher yield as a consequence.
Fig. 22 shows the number of days from
sowing to harvesting. It can be seen that in
Kambia the duration was generally shorter
than in other two districts with 145 days
on average in comparison to 176 and 171
days in Bombali and Port Loko
respectively. As the TP-R has been
developed to be most effective with the
cultivars with shorter growth duration, it
might be necessary to recommend the use
of cultivars with shorter duration
especially in Bombali and Port Loko.
8) Post-harvest handling
Regarding the post-harvesting, the TP-R recommends use of a tarpaulin mat to prevent
contamination with impurities when drying, but 20% of farmers still dried the grains on an empty
ground, which should be improved. Regarding the storage, the TP-R instructs to keep the storage
place free of fallen grains, garbage, and/or cloths in order to avoid the damage caused by pests, but
according to the monitoring results, only 32% of farmers had separate storage facility and 34%
stored rice in the rooms where they slept, which is a challenge to be dealt with to reduce the
post-harvest losses.
(3) Training of MAFFS engineering staff at district level on surveying and IVS development planning
Water control is one of the most important preconditions to optimize the effect of the TP-R in IVS. To
realize this condition, IVS development is essential. However, not many IVSs in the target area of the
Project have so far been developed. Even if IVSs have been developed, structures have been destroyed or
mal-functioning due to inadequate planning and/or poor maintenance.
While the engineering section of MAFFS is responsible for the planning, designing and supervision of
the IVS development works, its staff did not seem to have enough experience in those works. Without
developing their capacity, appropriate IVS development cannot be executed.
In order to assess their capacity in IVS development, a five-days training course on topographic survey
for IVS development planning was organized in December 2017 at Makeni, Bombali, for six (6) staff
who belong to the agricultural engineering section in three DAOs in the target area of the Project. The
whole training was conducted by a JICA Expert in charge of participatory IVS development10
.
1) Programme of the training
The training session, consisting of theoretical training in classroom and practical training in the field,
was conducted according to the programme as shown in Table 18.
10 Another three-days training session was organized for five staff of Bombali DAO including the group leader of the
engineering section, who could not attend the five-days session.
Fig. 22 Number of days from sowing to harvesting
Source: JICA-SRPP based on the monitoring results, 2018
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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Table 18 Programme of the first topographic survey training
Date Contents of Training Venue *
11th Dec.2017
(1st day)
AM 1) Lecture on topographic survey (explanation of training schedule,
leveling survey method and equipment etc.)
MAFFS office
2) Survey training at mountain trail (leveling survey) Field in Makeni
PM 3) Exercises for survey data analysis MAFFS office
4) Survey training at mountain trail (leveling survey) Field in Makeni
12th Dec.2017
(2nd
day)
AM 1) - ditto - Field in Makeni
PM 2) Exercises for survey data analysis MAFFS office
13th Dec.2017
(3rd day)
AM 1) Exercises for drawing (longitudinal profile) MAFFS office
PM 2) - ditto - Ditto
14th Dec.2017
(4th day)
AM 1) Survey training at swamp (leveling survey for canals) Binkolo Swamp
PM 2) Lecture on the topographic survey (application of the leveling
survey, plane survey method etc.)
MAFFS office
15th Dec.2017
(5th day)
AM 1) Survey training at swamp (leveling survey for canals, plane survey
for paddy field)
Binkolo Swamp
PM 2) Lecture on topographic survey (application of leveling survey) MAFFS office
* MAFFS office: MAFFS Bombali District Office in Makeni
For the training session, a training manual which covers all the survey related subjects was prepared
and distributed to the participants.
2) Result of topographic survey training
a) Skill of equipment handling
The participants learned the handling method of the survey equipment. However, it took long
time for them to install and adjust the equipment, and the mistakes in reading of the grade rod
(observation value) as well as in recording of the field note (observation result) were
occasionally observed.
It was thus considered that they need to gain more survey experiences using the survey
equipment so that they could conduct more accurate survey work through efficient
observation.
b) Data analysis and drawing
Basic analysis of leveling survey doesn’t require high calculation skills, and it is not difficult to
learn the conventional calculation method. On the other hand, the geometric view requires
deep understanding of a series of survey work, especially the data analysis and the drawings.
Because there is a linkage between the data analysis and the drawings, the geometric view and
image will prevent the mistakes on the calculation and drawing.
The results of the exercise in the training indicated that the participants required to gain more
survey experiences and to learn about the geometric view on the survey work.
c) Capacity of IVS Survey Work
From the results of the exercises on leveling survey (canal and drainage) and plane survey
(field lot of paddy) in IVS, it was found that the participants did not have enough knowledge/
experience to plan and design irrigation facilities, which seemed to have contributed to their
weak understanding on the meaning and the aim of topographic survey.
(4) Findings and issues pertaining to the capacity development
1) Capacity of extension workers on the TP-R
Through a series of classroom training on the TP-R as well as field monitoring of IVS rice at FBO
farms, capacity of extension workers on the TP-R is being built up. However notable differences in
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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the level of understanding of the TP-R among the extension workers were found, mostly due to the
difference in the attitudes during the training session and monitoring of FBO farms.
2) IVS development planning
Through the training session on topographic survey, it was found that MAFFS staff of engineering
section at district level had insufficient knowledge and experience in survey and planning on IVS
development, including handling of tools and equipment, data analysis and drawing in general.
Among the training participants, there was large difference in the levels of understanding on survey
and calculation, which hampered efficient and smooth training. Various training courses may be
planned in accordance with the different levels of staff’s capacities.
The DAOs also face serious insufficiencies in terms of tools for design and drawings such as
writing materials, calculator, ruler, protractor, drafting board, drafting paper and computer and so
forth.
2.3.2. Capacity development of FBO farmers in IVS
(1) Support to advanced FBO farmers in IVS in Kambia district
To maintain the high level of cultivation techniques which could be a model for other FBOs, SRPP
continued supporting four (4) outstanding FBOs which had been trained on the TP-R during the period
of SRDP in Kambia. They are: Tamemsu FBO and Tawopaneh FBO in Gbinleh Dixon chiefdom, and
Kamuyu FBO and Tawakaltu FBO in Masungbala chiefdom.
At the beginning of the rainy season cropping of 2017, The Project, MAFFS Kambia DAO, and each of
the four FBOs agreed upon and signed on an Agreement which provided the roles and responsibilities
each party should play and take as shown in Table 19.
Table 19 Roles of three parties in the Agreement
FBO farmers MAFFS Kambia SRPP
Rice cultivation Adoption of TP-R in
IVS condition to obtain
optimum yield
Regular visit to FBO farms
to provide necessary advice
on TP-R
Conduct yield survey
Provide technical guidance
on TP-R to MAFFS
extension workers
Conduct yield survey
Maintenance of
IVS
Keep IVS in good
condition to control and
manage water
Provide FBO farmers with
farm tools procured by
SRPP to maintain IVS field
properly and cultivate rice
Procure farm tools for FBO
farmers
Fertilizer Apply fertilizer timely
with adequate quantity
Provide FBO farmers with
recommended dose of
fertilizer as loan
Procure recommended dose
of fertilizer on TP-R
Repayment of
loan
Repay two bags
(50kg/bag) of paddy per
one bag (50kg/bag) of
fertilizer received from
SRPP as loan
Collect loan (in kind) from
FBO farmers at harvest time
Procure fertilizers for next
season cropping
Source: JICA-SRPP team
It was also agreed that seeds were to be procured by each FBO not supported by either MAFFS Kambia
or SRPP. At the harvesting time, MAFFS Kambia and the Project conducted yield survey, the results of
which are as shown in Table 20.
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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Table 20 Results of rice yield survey in IVS of the four advanced FBO in Kambia
Source: JICA-SRPP team
The yield shown in the table above was rather discouraging as compared with the ones obtained from the
same field during the previous project period. These low yields may be attributed to the following:
- Late supply of fertilizer which might retard the tillering,
- Much rainfall in the rainy season induced deep water condition,
- Low quality of seeds, especially those provided by MAFFS through WAAPP which procured
them from farmers of Nigeria (not certified), and
- Occurrence of diseases (rice blast) and insect (case worm) damage.
(2) Preparation of training plan on post-harvest handling
At the time of the rice milling machine setting, technical guidance was provided to the persons in charge
of ABCs, however, it was only two-day classroom session on rice milling method. Workshops on the
maintenance and repair method and practical training with the use of machines were not conducted.
Therefore, no person in charge had a chance to learn the techniques of maintenance and repairing.
Misunderstandings have often occurred that parts worn in the normal course of operation were
recognized as “broken” and the machine operation was stopped.
In order to solve those problems, it is necessary to implement a practical and technical training for staff
of ABCs on maintenance and operation of machines. Through the training, they would be able to obtain
practical skills on operation, maintenance and repairing of rice milling machines. The lecturers will be
selected from local manufactures of agricultural machineries and mechanics of agricultural machinery
importers by bidding. Bidders will be required to submit the training programme in accordance with the
guidelines provided by the Project.
The contents of the training are prepared based on the materials of the first JICA assisted project as
shown in Table 21.
Chiefdom Village FBO Variety Area (ha) Production (kg) Yield (kg/ha)
Gbinleh Dixon Masineh Tamemsu Buttercup 0.90 1,600 1,778
Pa Kiamp 0.50 1,000 2,000
NERICA L19 0.10 200 2,000
Mayenie 0.08 150 1,875
Ya Gbessay 0.02 60 3,000
Total 1.60 3,010 1,881
Masiaka Tawopaneh Buttercup 0.65 950 1,462
Pa Kiamp 0.40 600 1,500
NERICA L19 0.15 250 1,667
Total 1.20 1,800 1,500
Masungbala Laya Kamuyu NERICA L19 0.95 1,575 1,649
Pa Tholley 0.45 455 1,017
Total 1.40 2,030 1,448
Tawuya Tawakaltu NERICA L19 0.50 586 1,172
Buttercup 0.47 482 1,032
Tawakaltu 0.43 435 1,002
Pa Kambia 0.23 265 1,142
Total 1.63 1,768 1,083
Grand Total 5.83 8,608 1,475
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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Table 21 Outline of the training on operation and maintenance of milling machine
Subject Contents
I. General 1. Explanation of name and function of main sections of rice milling machine and diesel
engine.
2. Inspection before starting the milling operation; To confirm all bolts and nuts which fix the
milling machine and engine to the concrete base and confirm the V-belts between engine
and milling machine are tightened properly.
II. How to
operate the
machines
(How to mill /
How to process)
1. Inspection before starting the operation
1) For diesel engine: Make sure that the fuel, cooling water, lubricant oil etc. are adequate.
2) For rice milling machine: Make sure all of bolts, nuts and screws are tight.
2. Explanation during the operation of machine.
1) Measures to be taken at the startup of machine operation.
2) Adequate continuous operation method of rice milling machine, such as flow adjustment
valves for paddy and milled rice etc.
3) Measures to be taken during abnormal operation.
4) Measures to be taken at the end of the operation.
III. How to
maintain the
machines
Maintenance during the operation
1) For diesel engine
Make sure that pulley (bolt and nut) and drive belts (alignment) are fixed and adjusted
adequately. Always clean the engine and milling machine and surrounding floor.
Methods of troubleshooting during the maintenance work.
2) For rice milling machine
Make sure that pulley (bolt and nut) and drive belts (alignment) are fixed and adjusted
adequately.
Inject grease to bearings.
Methods of troubleshooting during the maintenance work.
IV. How to repair
the machines
1. Following troubles may be repaired by the operators after the diagnosis
1) Repairing of diesel engine
Cleaning of air filter
Bleed the fuel system
Cleaning of oil filter
2) Repairing of Rice milling machine
Replace or readjust of milling blade
2. In case the troubles occur other than the above, call the technical service man. Never
disassemble the engine by yourself, it might cause more serious trouble.
Note: All trainings are conducted through both lecture and practical skills.
Source: JICA-SRPP team
2.4. Activities related to Output 3
< The improved TP-R which is applicable for farmers is utilized in FFS training for farmers.>
2.4.1. Field survey on rice cultivation in IVSs in the target area of the Project
Rice cultivation situation in IVSs in the three districts is generally the same. As most IVSs are not developed,
rice is grown under conditions without water control. Even in developed swamps, water control systems do
not function well as the capacity of main drainage is not enough in most cases.
Under such conditions where the financial capacities are limited and there is scarce opportunity to learn about
improved rice cultivation techniques, most farmers cultivate rice using conventional methods: inadequate land
preparation, transplant old seedlings, dense planting, scarce weeding, no fertilizer application, etc., with which
high yield cannot be expected.
2.4.2. Review of the manual and the guideline for better disseminating the TP-R
Manual and guidelines on the dissemination of the TP-R have not been shared with the extension workers at
the field level. Guidelines should properly be understood and explained to farmers. It is planned that on-farm
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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trials need to be conducted to remove the constraints or difficulties on the TP-R transfer which were identified
through the baseline survey and monitoring of rice cultivation. The results of trials will be reflected when the
guidelines are revised.
In addition, extension materials may need to be revised and developed as follows.
(1) Revision of extension material
Extension material developed by the previous SRDP is a useful tool when extension workers provide
technical guidance of the TP-R to rice farmers. However, it has been clear that the most of volunteer
FEWs have been less experienced in extension services and they may have difficulty in explaining the
techniques of the TP-R only with the pictures of extension material (without descriptive text guide on the
material). Therefore, the material will be revised by adding descriptions and/or main points of the TP-R
technique on the reverse side of the materials as shown in Fig. 23. Revised extension material will be
finalized based on the feedback from extension workers and rice farmers.
front side reverse side
Source: JICA-SRPP team
Fig. 23 Example of revision of extension material
(2) Development of additional materials for TP-R dissemination
In order to explain the TP-R techniques to rice farmers in such ways that they can easily understand,
additional materials are required to be developed. A quick reference chart of cropping calendar was made
as one of the materials. A sheet of growth stage with farming practices by each rice variety can slide on
the calendar as shown in Fig. 24. By using this material, farmers can easily prepare a cropping calendar,
then determine the best date to plant and know the appropriate timing of each farming practice. Other
materials will also be developed as necessary. All the materials will be revised and finalized based on the
feedback from extension workers and farmers.
Source: JICA-SRPP team
Fig. 24 Quick reference chart of cropping calendar
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2.4.3. Study on other rice cultivation techniques developed by various donors/institution
(1) System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
The concept of SRI was originally developed in Madagascar for poor farmers who cultivated rice in
poorly drained lowland, which had resulted in very poor yield. In order to maximize the utilization of
resources and potential of rice plant, SRI is guided in principle by the following six practices:
a. Use of organic manures to replenish nutrient to the soil;
b. Transplanting young seedlings to accelerate initial growth of rice to produce more tillers;
c. Transplant one seedling per hill to realize its full tillering capacity;
d. Wider spacing between hills to encourage easy establishment of tillers;
e. Turning back the weeds into the soil; and
f. Intermittent irrigation to promote aeration in the root zone and accelerate decomposition of
organic matter;
However, after the introduction of this system worldwide, it has been modified in various countries/areas
to adapt to their environments. For example, the area where organic manures are difficult to find, they
depend on chemical fertilizer as improved SRI.
In Sierra Leone, the research institute (SLARI/RARC) and a NGO have tested SRI, the results of which
attracted higher yield with very high profitability. Another research carried out in 2013 under World
Bank financed West Africa Agriculture Productivity Project (WAAPP) also showed positive results.
RARC focuses on the following four principles in disseminating SRI to increase yield in Sierra Leone
condition11
.
a. Favor rapid and careful plant establishment through seed selection, through pre-germination
treatment and through careful raising of seedlings up to 2 leaves stage on raised nursery bed.
b. Reduce competition between rice plants through transplanting single seedling per hill, wide
spacing with 25 cm or more in line and grid pattern.
c. Create fertile soils rich in organic matter and soil microbes through the use of cover crop such as
Calopogonium mucunoides at 10 ton per ha incorporated into well puddled soils 2 weeks before
transplanting.
d. Manage water carefully, avoiding flooding and drought stresses through good levelling and
bunding, and through the use of mechanical weeder to aerate soil and incorporate weeds into soils.
It is found that principles of SRI are quite similar to the TP-R in pursuing rapid and careful plant
establishment, reduction of competition between rice plants, and careful management of water.
(2) Rice cultivation techniques developed by GIZ
German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has started to conduct new activities of rice
development with introduction of SRI in Koinadugu, Kono and Kailahun districts as a part of the
Employment Promotion Programme (EPP III). Since the SRI developed by GIZ has unique features as
shown in Table 22, it is necessary to be studied on the advantages of the cultivation techniques in the
second period of the Project.
11
Samuel Soki Harding, and Nazir Mahmood; Assessing the suitability and profitability of the System of Rice
Intensification in Sierra Leone;
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Table 22 Main features of SRI
1. Use of pure rice variety 4. Each planting hill measures
25cm by 25cm (line planting)
7. 20% more yield than with traditional
method (from 600 kg/acre to 750 kg/acre)
2. Use of dense nursery with
mats
5. Transplanting only 1 seedling
per hill
8. Processing and selling jointly with other
farmers
3. Early transplanting after
12-15 days (2-leaf stage)
6. Seed rate per acre only about
3 kg
9. Effective seed preparation for next season
Source: GIZ
2.5. Activities related to Output 4
<The improved TP-R which is applicable for farmers is recognized as recommended cultivation
techniques in countrywide.>
2.5.1. Information sharing with other donors and NGOs for collaboration
After the Project would be completed, the TP-R is expected to be disseminated further throughout the country,
which is the overall goal of the Project. To seek for the possibility of disseminating the TP-R in collaboration
with other donor agencies and/or NGO, the Project has had information sharing on rice related activities with
various donors and NGO. The results are summarized and shown in Table 23.
Table 23 Rice related activities of donors/NGO and envisaged collaboration area
Organization Current rice related activities Envisaged collaboration area
World Bank WAATP: under formulation of the project. Dissemination of
rice production techniques developed by the previous project
(WAAPP).
SCADeP: to promote value chain of main crops including rice,
cacao, oil palm, etc. Seed rice production.
Capacity development (Dissemination
of the TP-R; Seed multiplication as a
part of the TP-R)
WFP IVS development and rehabilitation through Food for Work and
Food for Assets.
Participatory IVS development/
rehabilitation with the TP-R training
FAO FFS manual development covering 12 modules The TP-R training manual for FFS
GIZ IVS development with technical guidance of rice cultivation
under EPP (Employment Promotion Project) III covering
Koinadugu, Kono and Kailahun.
Improvement of facilitation technique
on training rice cultivation technique
and IVS development
BRAC Extension and support of agricultural production activities
including rice production.
IVS development with rice production
Capacity development of extension
workers on the TP-R
Source: JICA-SRPP team
2.5.2. Project PR
(1) Project brochure
The Project brochure explaining the outline of the Project was prepared and distributed to concerned
personnel and organizations.
(2) Project newsletter
The Project newsletters have been issued periodically showing the main topics and updates of the Project
activities. Three (3) issues have so far been published in the first period of the Project.
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(3) Project Website
In order to present the Project activities as well as results, the Project website will be created in the
MAFFS’s website.
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3. Issues to Be Addressed
3.1. Issues and/or challenges to achieve the Project purpose
Based on the results of the baseline survey as well as of the monitoring of the rainy season rice cultivation, the
Project identified numerous issues to be addressed and problems to be tackled to achieve the Project ultimate
goal of enhancing rice yield. They are enumerated from various viewpoints in the following.
3.1.1. Technical issues
- FBO farmers in IVS have few opportunities to learn improved rice cultivation techniques.
- Although their main source of improved techniques is the extension workers, many of them are
volunteers, who are not officially employed, not paid or not properly trained.
- Mobility of extension workers has chronically been a challenge, due to the limited provision of means
of transportation, wide geographical coverage, poor conditions of feeder roads, and so forth.
- Water control is a problem in most IVSs, which are not developed, affecting critical cultivation
techniques such as proper depth of transplanting and efficient fertilizer utilization.
- MAFFS staff lacks experience in topographic survey, basic skill in IVS development planning.
- Neither FBO farmers nor MAFFS staff are well experienced in IVS development.
- The operators of post-harvest machinery are not sufficiently trained in operation and maintenance of
the machines.
3.1.2. Socio-economic issues
- FBO farmers have difficulties in obtaining quality seeds as well as fertilizers due to their scarcity and/or
inadequate financial capacity.
- There are problems of shortage / high costs of farm labour due to competition.
- Women’s participation is said to be hampered by the heavy workload in reproductive activities
- Securing seed rice may be affected by food insecurity.
- Indebtedness during hunger period may also negatively affect the affordability of production resources.
3.1.3. Management issues on FBOs/ABCs
- Management capacities of farmers’ organizations need to be enhanced both at FBO and ABC levels.
- As FBO farmers have not participated in IVS development works, they lack ownership of the facilities.
- As some ABCs are located far from the villages where beneficiary farmers reside, it is not fully
utilized.
- ABCs’ capacities and experiences both in operation and maintenance of facilities and in organizational
management has limitations
- Necessary support to machinery operation and maintenance at ABCs by MAFFS district engineers
have not been done as planned.
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The above issues and challenges are inter-related each other to create another problem, which, in combined
manner, result in the low yield of rice. The project is expected to improve the situation by increasing the
adoption of TP-R through the capacity development of FBO farmers working in IVS.
3.2. Project Design Matrix (PDM)
The Project Design Matrix of the Project (PDM) was originally drafted in May 2016 as Version 0, which was
slightly modified as Version 1 in the first Joint Coordinating Committee held in August 2017. The current
PDM is structured with one (1) project purpose which is to be attained thought achievement of three expect
outputs, while there is another output to directly contribute to the achievement of the overall goals in addition
to the attributes by the Project purpose. The PDM also stipulates inputs and activities to achieve the outputs,
together with indicators to measure the extent of achievement of the Project and means of verification. As for
the numerical targets of some of these indicators, it was anticipated that they shall be set based on the results
of baseline survey which explores current situation of IVS rice farmers and their farming as well as extension
system in target area of the Project.
As a part of initial activities of the Project, the project direction and strategies has been examined through the
process of analyzing the results of baseline survey. In the process of the examination, several points regarding
the project design itself has come to the concerns for future discussions. Major issues related to the current
PDM center around the following two aspects.
3.2.1. Definition / understanding of the Technical Package on Rice Production (TP-R)
As the Project is aiming to extensively disseminate the TP-R in target districts, focus of the Project is to be set
on the higher adoption of improved techniques of rice production in IVS. At the end of the Project, the TP-R,
as the final output of the Project, shall be presented for nationwide dissemination, thus any modification or
revision to be made through the activities of the Project are to realize higher adoption of TP-R by the farmers
who are cultivating rice in IVS. In pursuit of higher adoption by farmers, some technical components of TP-R
shall be revisited to identify any possible facilitating measures or to introduce any enabling environments to
make the adoption of these techniques easier for farmers, while extension efforts shall also be enhanced to
promote farmers’ understanding on TP-R techniques and the benefits of application of thereof. These concepts
of TP-R should clearly be referred to in the descriptions of the PDM.
3.2.2. Logical sequence between Project purpose and outputs
The PDM is structured with logical inter-relationship among activities, outputs, project purpose and overall
goals. Activities should be the concrete means to realize the outputs, then outputs are to directly contribute to
the attainment of the project purpose, which would serve as an attribute to lead to the final direction the
project interventions, i.e. the achievement of the overall goals. In some parts of the current PDM, however,
some of the logical sequences are found somewhat unclear, which need to be revisited for possible
modifications and adjustment. In addition, some of the objectively verifiable indicators are found not to be
precisely corresponding to the outputs, project purpose, and overall goals of the Project, which shall also be
modified in line with the proposed revision of the narrative summary of the PDM.
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4. Project Direction and Strategy
4.1. Project direction
As discussed in the previous Chapter 3, there are a lot of issues and problems to realize the increase in rice
yield in IVS conditions, which is the ultimate goal of the Project. To achieve the goal, the Project is expected
to assist FBO farmers cultivating rice in IVSs in adopting the TP-R. To promote the adoption of TP-R by the
FBO farmers, there may be two directions: (a) to remove the constraints on adopting the TP-R; and (b) to
promote understanding of the TP-R and its benefit.
(a) To remove the constraints on farmers’ adoption of the TP-R
The TP-R is composed of many techniques, several of which such as levelling, water management and
fertilizer application, are said to be not easy for many rice farmers to adopt under their current situation. If
they continue to hesitate to adopt such techniques, yield increase cannot be expected. The Project tries to
increase the adoption rate of those techniques and others which have not been well-adopted by FBO farmers.
(b) To promote the farmers’ understanding on the TP-R and its benefit
In order for the FBO farmers to adopt the TP-R, opportunities to learn the TP-R should be increased.
Dissemination techniques by extension workers will be improved so that target farmers could find the TP-R
easy and beneficial.
In all the Project processes, extension workers of MAFFS are expected to play pivotal roles. Their capacities
have to be built-up so as to promote their understanding on the TP-R as well as to facilitate effective
dissemination of the TP-R by them.
4.2. Project strategy
Based on the project direction discussed above, the following strategies shall be adopted by the Project to
carry out the activities in the due course of Project implementation.
(a) To remove the constraints on the farmer’s adoption of the TP-R
Proper levelling contributes to the unification of rice growth after transplanting, which will facilitate the
recovery from planting shock and promote tillering. However, the levelling work is not easy if the farmers use
hoes only for this work. Special tools for levelling needs to be introduced.
Water management is possible only when an enable environment to control water is secured. Simple water
control structure will make it possible to manage water, which will contribute to the yield increase even
without fertilizer application.
Fertilizer application become more effective when water is properly managed. However, fertilizer is rather
expensive for farmers to afford. A revolving fund may be introduced to procure fertilizer for those who realize
the yield increase by adopting the TP-R techniques.
(b) To promote the farmers’ understanding of the TP-R and its benefit
In addition to FFS, i.e. the standard extension method of MAFFS, farmer-to-farmer extension will also be
promoted. Possibility of disseminating the TP-R through radio programme will also be considered and
explored.
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The relationship among the Project purpose, the Project directions and the Project strategies is depicted as
shown in Fig. 25.
Source: JICA-SRPP team
Fig. 25 Relationship among the Project purpose, the Project directions and the Project strategies
Adoption of TP-R by FBO farmers
Promotion of understandingof FBO farmers on TP-R andits benefit
Removal of the constraintson the adoption of TP-R byFBO farmers
Capacity development of FBO farmers1) Theoretical training (classroom, mass media)2) Practical training (FFS, demonstration plots)3) Farmer-to-farmer dissemination
Development and introduction of facilitation measures1) On-farm trials (techniques to make TP-R
components easier to apply)2) Collective action for securing inputs and
resources (seeds, fertilizers, labors, IVS rehab./dev’t, Post-harvest activities)
Capacity development of extension workers1) TOT on TP-R2) Monitoring and review of field activities
Strategies
Project Directions
Project purpose
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5. Proposed Activities in the Next Phase
5.1. Detailed activity plan (Draft)
5.1.1. Capacity development of FBO farmers in IVS
(1) Selection of FBOs
Based on the criteria set based on the baseline survey results (see Sub-section 2.2.3.), a total of 24 FBOs
which would try out the TP-R demonstration will be selected as initial candidates to be model FBOs in the
three districts. Aside from the demonstration plot, seed multiplication plot will be established to purify their
seeds. On-farm trial plots will also be established to conduct trials using the selected fields of those FBOs.
The Project together with DAOs will prepare an agreement to be signed with each FBO to clarify the roles
and responsibilities of each party in implementing the activities of the Project.
Necessary tools and inputs in establishing and implementing demonstration plots will be provided by the
Project. Inputs like fertilizer will be provided on a loan basis. In the first year, one bag of rice will be repaid
for one bag of fertilizer provided.
(2) Capacity development of extension workers on the TP-R dissemination
To support model FBOs, extension workers will form groups which will be assigned to the model FBOs.
Then those extension workers will be trained on FFS facilitation to disseminate the TP-R. FFS plans will be
formulated, extension materials for FFS will be prepared, and demonstration plot establishment method will
be learned. Themes of demonstration will be selected so as to compare the improved cultivation technique
with the conventional technique. Monitoring of rice growth and yield survey in the demonstration plots will
be conducted.
(3) Capacity development of FBO farmers
The farmers of model FBOs will be trained on the TP-R through FFS. The group of extension workers
assigned to the FBOs, supported by the Project, will facilitate the FFS using the demonstration plots as well as
seed multiplication plots. Through FFS, the model FBO farmers are expected to understand the advantages of
the TP-R.
5.1.2. Development and introduction of facilitation measures to adopt the TP-R
(1) On-farm trials
Various trials will be carried out using a part of model FBO farms to increase the adoption rate of the TP-R
techniques. According to the results of the baseline survey, labor shortage was found to be one of the pressing
problems. Introduction of labor saving techniques including rotary weeder, leveling plate, sparse planting in
line, etc. will be tested.
(2) Collective action to secure inputs and resources
Securing inputs and resources like fertilizer, seeds, labors are always problems for majority of farmers.
Collective procurement of those inputs may be worth trying to save costs.
IVS development/rehabilitation will be implemented with the participation of FBO farmers so that they could
learn techniques on how to maintain canal and also raise their sense of ownership.
Training plan on the operation and maintenance of rice mills as well as record keeping will be prepared for the
operators of ABCs.
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Through those activities, management capacity of FBOs/ABC is expected to be strengthened.
5.1.3. Training on rice development in a third country
(1) Country: Madagascar
(2) Participants: About 20 in total, including policy maker, researcher, extension officer/workers, and
farmers.
(3) Schedule: 6 days excluding travelling days in September 2018.
(4) Programme (provisional):
1) Visit a JICA’s rice project (PAPRIZ Phase 2) to exchange views on the dissemination method of
rice cultivation techniques, effective cultivation techniques and tools, and issues if any.
2) Visit CFAMA (training center of agric. mechanization, another JICA project) to learn development,
production and dissemination of agricultural machineries and tools.
3) Visit rice fields where double-cropping is practiced to exchange views with farmers’ organizations
on development and maintenance of terraced rice field / nursery of rice/ line planting and rotary
weeder / difficulty in adopting techniques, etc.
5.2. Modification of PDM
As discussed in the previous section 3.2, the current version of the PDM of the Project is to be further revised
with possible modifications including the identification of proper target figures of the objectively verifiable
indicators to measure the achievement of the Project. Proposed revisions of the PDM shall be drafted and
presented for discussion at the 3rd JCC meeting to be held at the beginning of the second Period of the Project.
The possible modifications would mainly be on the following three (3) aspects.
5.2.1. Confirmation on the definition of the TP-R in the PDM
There is a reference in the current PDM to the “improved TP-R”, the definition of which is somewhat unclear.
As the Project purpose is extensive dissemination and higher adoption of the TP-R, any modification to be
made on TP-R may not always or necessarily lead to the “improvement” of yield performances, but rather to
promoting understanding of the benefits, and removing constraints for application of the TP-R. It is therefore
considered essential to revisit and modify the definition of the TP-R which will be presented as the final
output of the Project, as well as to revise the stipulation thereof in the PDM.
5.2.2. Adjustment of logical sequences between outputs and Project purpose
In the current PDM, logical inconsistencies are found in some parts of the narrative summary, especially in the
“means-end” relationship between outputs and project purpose as well as between the project purpose and
overall goals. In relation to those inconsistencies, some indicators were also found not to be corresponding to
the statements of the expected achievements. Hence the adjustment of logical sequences is required, along
with which appropriate indicator items shall be identified in addition to, or to replace, the existing indicators.
5.2.3. Setting of the target figures of Objectively Verifiable Indicators (OVIs)
It has been agreed upon at the initial planning exercise that the target figures of the indicators are to be set
based on the results of baseline survey. As the baseline survey data were consolidated and some benchmark
Sustainable Rice Production Project Progress Report 1
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figures are identified, the numerical targets of the indicators should be set wherever applicable in the PDM,
except for the qualitative indicators.
Appendixes
1 Record of Discussion
2 PDM (version 1)
3 Project Work Flow and Schedule
4 Staffing and Assignments
5 List of Equipment Procured
6 Minutes of JCC Meeting