This document summarizes research on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) conducted in Kenya. SRI aims to increase rice yields through improved agronomic practices like transplanting young seedlings in a wide spacing and alternating wetting and drying of soils. Research found SRI increased yields in Kenya from 4-5 tonnes/ha to 7-10 tonnes/ha, used 25-33% less water, and had higher returns compared to conventional flooded rice production. SRI also resulted in less mosquito larvae survival, lower input costs, and superior rice grain quality preferred by millers. Over 5,400 farmers in Kenya have now adopted SRI techniques.

1. System of Rice Intensification in Kenya &
Towards SRI-Africa Learning Network
Presented by:
Prof. Bancy M. Mati
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT)
Nairobi, Kenya
Paper presented at the:
Workshop on Sustaining and Enhancing the Momentum for Innovation
and Learning on SRI in the Lower Mekong River Basin (SRI-LMB)
Novotel, Bangkok, Thailand
1st – 2nd November 2018

2. Problem Statement – Africa’s Rice Deficit
• Demand for rice is increasing with
growing populations, urbanization
and changing culinary habits
• Africa rice production is about 26.4
million tons of paddy or 17.3 million
tons of milled rice.
• Rice is grown in 38 African countries
• But all the countries in Africa are net
importers of rice
• Rice yields are low, less than 3 t/ha
(potential can be up to 15 t/ha)
• Traditional agronomic practices also
result in low productivity of rice.
• Water management poses major
challenges (from scarcity to poor
drainage)
2

3. Problem Statement
Fully flooded paddies have low paddy productivity
• Rice grown under fully flooded
paddies utilizing too much water
(3,000 -5,000 litres/kg of grain)
• Rice grown in fully flooded
paddies does not achieve
optimum productivity
• Fully flooded paddies become
habitats for water borne disease
vectors
• Water scarcity is a major problem
in many parts of Africa, even
within irrigation schemes
3

4. Components of SRI – practised in Kenya
SRI has seven major components (deviating from conventional
flooded paddy)
1. Transplant very young seedlings; i.e. at 12 to 14 days
old, (instead of the conventional 3-4 weeks)
2. Raising the seedlings in un-flooded nurseries (sic) and
well-supplied with organic matter
3. Transplant seedlings at wider spacings and in lines,
usually 20x20 cm,
4. Transplanting only one seedling per hill (NOT of clumps of 3-4
seedlings),
5. Alternate wetting and drying of the paddy field (do not
continuously flood the soil) to ensure aerating of the root
zone,
6. Weed control is preferably done with a simple
mechanical rotary weeder (challenge)
11/27/2018 4

5. Transforming from conventional paddy nursery to SRI
Conventional flooded nursery
Transplanting SRI young seedlingTransplanting conventional rice seedlings
SRI dry nursery, and 8-day old seedling
SRI requires
less seed

6. Transforming from conventional paddy to SRI Practice
Weeding SRI paddy with rotary weederWomen weeding conventional rice paddy
SRI wetting & drying paddy fieldConventional fully flooded paddy

7. Background to SRI efforts in Kenya
• SRI was introduced in Kenya at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Aug 2009
• Initial partners - JKUAT, NIB, AICAD, WB, WBI, MoA, MWI, KARI, Cornell
University (of USA), Mwea Irrigation Scheme/MIAD, farmers
• Aug 2009 – Jan 2010, only two pioneer farmers accepted to do trials
voluntarily & on-station research trials at MIAD – supported by AICAD
• Within that time, Training & awareness creation using the two farmer trials,
Video conferences, special ladies’ training
• Since April 2010, JKUAT Innovation Fund has been supporting a 3-year SRI
research & capacity building project in Mwea.
• From June 2011, NIB is supporting a six-month project to upscale SRI in 4
schemes, i.e. Ahero, West Kano, Bunyala & Mwea and SW Kano (2012).
• In 2013, lack of funds saw little activity towards promotion of SRI, but framers
continued to adopt learning from each other
• In 2014, NIB provided funding for developing a marketing value chain for SRI
• Also in 2014, AICAD provided funding for SRI research on labor and weeds.
• In 2016, Agri-SRI funded a project on Extension f SRI in Western Kenya.

8. Research on SRI (1 PhD, 12 MSc & MIAD trials)
1. PhD student is assessing SRI for up-
scaling in Mwea irrigation scheme.
- Using AQUACROP model to predict
scheme-level grain yields, amounts of
water saved, and cost/benefit analysis.
2. MSC assessed adaptability of SRI in Mwea
- completed
3. MSC assessed the effects of SRI on
mosquito survival rates.
4. MSC has assessed bio-physical
characteristics of four schemes; Mwea,
Ahero, West Kano and Bunyala for SRI
adaptability
5. MSC is assessing impacts of labour SRI
6. Other MIAD research on SRI spacings
Measuring water input in a research plot
Mosquito trap in research plot

9. 11/27/2018
Participatory Research (SRI Farmer trials)
SRI
Farmer
trials
Innovations
by farmers

10. Extension (Capacity building)
• ToT training with field visits
• Hands-on training
• Training of trainers (ToT)
• Special Training for Ladies
• Several field days across which are
rotated form block to block
• Field days according to crop
agronomy
• Invited trainers supported by WBI
trained staff & farmers from India &
Japan
• Exchange visits for farmers & staff
• Capacity building - at least 3,000
individuals trained on SRI
• Some 5,400 farmers had adopted
SRI in Mwea, Ahero, West Kano and
Bunyala irrigation schemes by
October 2018.
10

11. 11 11/27/201811
Field days & open days for SRI training
SRI field day in Mwea-5th August 2010
SRI Open Day- 4th November 2010 SRI field day (transplanting) -21 July 2011
SRI field day in Bunyala – Nov 2012

12. Awareness creation & Outreach
• Open days with invited guests
• Displays in the Nairobi
International Show
• Media outings
• Radio broadcast/adverts in
vernacular languages
• Engaging with private sector e.g.
rice millers
• Scientific papers & forums
• Presenting SRI at Exhibitions and
other forums
• SMS Messaging as a mode of
extension
• Marketing of SRI branded rice in
the new project
SRI Exhibits at Nairobi Show-2012
SRI Display at African Forum for STI in Nairobi, 2012

13. Extending SRI to Western Kenya
• SRI project launched in Ahero,
Bunyala, West Kano and SW Kano
• SRI Training of Trainers in MIAD
for all schemes
• Video conferencing for W. Kenya
farmers linking with India,
Philipines, Mali (WBI)
• Exchange visits between farmers
• Distribution of rotary weeders
• National SRI Workshop held every
year in Kisumu
SRI training in South-West Kano (2012)
SRI Exchange visit to Ahero in 2011

14. Up-scaling SRI in Ahero, Bunyala , West Kano & SW Kano
SRI Training in Ahero Scheme
SRI training in West Kano Scheme
SRI Training in Bunyala Irrigation SchemeVideo Conference

15. Under SRI, Rice Yields have Increased

16. 16
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Numberoftillersperhill
Weeks after transplanting
Growth pattern for the tillers under SRI and CF
S…

17. Results show that SRI works!
Key findings – based on farmer s’ data from Mwea, Kenya
11/27/2018 17
Conventional paddy
1. Basmati yields : 4 – 5 t/ha
(Mwea)
2. BW rice yields : 7 - 10 t/ha
3. A bag of paddy weighs 80-90 kg
4. Water to grow 1 kg of rice: 3,000-
5,000 litres
5. Grain easily breaks during milling
6. Flooded paddies suffer lodging
from windy storms
7. Weeding flooded paddies is done
by women
8. Lower return on investment
SRI Rice
1. Basmati yields : 7 – 10 t/ha
2. BW rice yields: 11 - 20 t/ha
3. Bag of paddy weighs 100-110 kg
4. Harder, not easily broken on
milling
5. Uses 25-33% less water
6. SRI has strong stems that resist
damage from windy storms
7. Wedding can be by men or
women
8. Higher returns (30-50% increase
in net income)

18. Water savings comparing SRI with
Conventional flooded paddy in Mwea, Kenya
Rainfall (m3/ha)
Irrigation water
(m3/ha)
Water use
(m3/ha)***
Water
Productivity
(kg/m3)
Savings on
irrigation
water (%)
Variety SRI CF SRI CF SRI CF SRI CF
Basmati 370 613* 2,821** 8,422 11,610 9,035 14,431 0.7 0.4 27.5
BW 196 696* 3,464** 11,573 15,691 12,269 19,155 0.5 0.2 26.2
IR 2793-80-1 613* 2,644** 10,420 15,096 11,033 17,740 1.0 0.5 31.0
*Rainfall water was drained from SRI plots hence lower than that in the CF plots
Source, Omwenga et al, 2014

19. Mosquito larvae survival comparing SRI Plots
with flooded conditions
MOSQUITO DATA FOR SRI CONDITIONS
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
DRYING DAYS
%EMERGENCE
% Emerged from depression
% emerged from observation dish
Source: Kepha Omwenga - MSC progress report

20. Costs of Inputs have Reduced under SRI
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
Costofinputs(KShs/ha)
Cost component
SRI FP
Inputs costs comparing SRI with flooded paddy (FP) practices at Mwea
(Source: Ndiiri et al 2014)

21. Benefits of SRI: Less Inputs, Less Water Utilized
1) SRI uses less seed & farmers saved
up to 80% of the cost of seed
2) Use of organic manures saves on
costs of fertilizers.
3) Fertilizers are applied to individual
plants (not broadcasted) – less
amounts used
4) Rotary weeding saves up to 75% on
costs compared to manual weeding
5) In Mwea, SRI saved 25-33% of
water used in irrigation
21

22. Kenyan SRI project won 1st Prize in Africa
• In December 2012, a documentary
video on SRI was filmed in Mwea,
Ahero, Bunyala, West Kano & SW
Kano.
• SRI documentary film entitled
“System of Rice Intensification (SRI):
Producing More Rice with Less
Water! The Kenyan Experience”
won 1st prize at FARA’s “6th
African Agricultural Science Week”
awarded on 20th July 2013 in Accra,
Ghana.
• This film has been used for training
and awareness creation on SRI.

23. SRI work was recognized by SEED Awards (9 Sept 2015)
The JKUAT SRI Stand at
the SEED Awards, at Safari
Park Hotel, Nairobi
Prof. Mati addressed the
SEED Awards on behalf of
past winners (SRI is a past
winner of SEED Awards)

24. Quality of SRI Rice is Superior
6) SRI rice has a harder grain,
thus less breakage during
milling,
7) This results in better grain
quality making it sell faster
at slightly higher price.
8) Millers prefer SRI due to
higher recovery of whole
grains.
9) SRI rice weight heavier
than conventional paddy.

25. Note: SRI has superior milling qualities in all the categories
SRI Efforts to develop SRI Value Chain
Registration, Vetting, Branding & Marketing
Findings of paddy milling test –
SRI rice is Super Grade!!
Properties SRI
Conve
ntional
SRI
Advantage
Head rice (%) 90 81 +9
White rice (Kgs) 631 594 +37
Recovery (%) 63 59 +4
Broken (Kgs) 37 56 -19
Chicken feed
(Kgs)
4.4 5.5 -1.1
Bran/dust (Kgs) 79 101 -22
Colour sorter
(Kgs)
1.5 1.9 -0.4

26. Some of the Research Publications on SRI
• Ndiiri, J.A., Uphoff, N., Mati, B.M., Home, P.G. and Odongo, B. (2017). Comparison of Yields of Paddy Rice under
System of Rice Intensification in Mwea, Kenya. American Journal of Plant Biology. 2017; 2(2): 49-60.
http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajpb doi: 10.11648/j.ajpb.20170202.12
• Omwenga, K.G., Mati, B.M., and Home, P.G. 2014. Determination of the Effect of the System of Rice Intensification
(SRI) on Rice Yields and Water Saving in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. Journal of Water Resource and Protection.
http://www.scirp.org/journal/jwarphttp://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2014.610084
• Nyang’au, W.O. Mati, B.M. Kulecho, K., Wanjogu R.K. and Kiplagat, L. 2013. Assessment of the adaptability of
management practices to system for rice intensification in Kenya, using v 4.5 CERES Rice Model. In: Proceedings of
2013 Mechanical Engineering Conference on Sustainable research and Innovations African Institute for Capacity
Development (AICAD) –JUJA. 24 -26 April 2013. Volume 5; p 379 -387.
• Ndiiri, J.A. Mati, B.M. Home, P.G., Odongo, B. and Uphoff, N. (2013). Adoption, constraints and economic returns of
paddy rice under the system of rice intensification in Mwea, Kenya. Agricultural Water Management, 129 (2013)
44–55.
• Mati, B. M. 2012. Promoting the Adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) through Participatory Research
and Outreach in Kenya. Paper Presented at NIB/MIAD and collaborators research workshop, Kenya School of
Monetary Studies, Nairobi, 30-31st May 2012.
• Ndiiri, J.A., Mati, B.M., Home, P.G., Odongo, B. and Uphoff, N. 2012. Comparison of water savings of paddy rice
under system of rice intensification (SRI) growing rice in Mwea, Kenya. Vol 04 / Issue 6.International Journal of
Current Research and Review (IJCRR); 63-73.
• Nyamai, M., Mati, B.M., Home P.G., Odongo, B., Wanjogu, R.andThuranira E.G. 2012. Improving land and water
productivity in basin rice cultivation in Kenya through System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Agric Eng Int: CIGR
Journal, 2012, 14, 2, 1-9.
• Omwenga, K.G., Mwangangi, J., Home, P.G. and Mati, B.M. 2012. Assessment of the Impact of the System of Rice
Intensification (SRI) on Mosquito Survival at Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. Environment and Natural
Resources Research. (Forthcoming)
• Ndiiri, J.A., Mati, B.M., Home, P.G., Odongo, B. and Uphoff, N. 2012. Benefit-cost analysis of paddy rice under the
System of Rice Intensification in Mwea, Kenya.(Forth-coming)”.
• Mati, B. M., Wanjogu, R., Odongo, B., and Home, P.G. 2011. Introduction of the System of Rice Intensification in
Kenya: experiences from Mwea Irrigation Scheme. Paddy and Water Environment. Volume 9, Number 1, 145-154.
• Mati, B. M. 2011. System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Growing more rice with less water. Practical Notes for SRI
Farmers. JKUAT and NIB, Kenya.
• Nyamai, M., Mati, B.M. and Gidamis, A. 2010. Mfumo wa Kilimo Shadidi cha Mpunga (MKiShaMpunga). Kielelezo
cha mfumo wa kilimo shadidi cha mpunga kwa wakulima wa mpunga katika Afrika Mashariki. JKUAT & SRI Resource
Center, Mwea, Kenya.

27. Major Challenges Faced
• Farmers’ traditional mindset,
skepticism and thus, resistance
• A higher incidence of weeds
under SRI
• Availability (lack) of rotary
weeders & equipment
• Lack of funding to maintain
momentum of projects
• Shortage of SRI trained
personnel/ extension workers
• Lack of SRI value chain for the
system to be self-propagating.

28. Developing SRI-Africa Network
• The scientific basis for adoption of SRI has been proven in
many countries in Africa,
• The main gap is knowledge flows- upwards to reach policy
makers, laterally to reach many farmers and extension
workers
• Because… Africa is a continent fragmented by national
boundaries, languages, geographic zones and cultural
barriers
• Technological divides between scientists and farmers, hence
missed opportunities
• There has been no one-stop shop knowledge management
platform bringing together SRI fraternity in Africa
• Networks break these barriers and help establish human
resource pools, their contacts and specific needs/facilities

29. Countries which have adopted SRI in Africa
Some 21 countries have adopted SRI in Africa. They include:
SNo. Country SNo. Country
1. Madagascar – Where SRI was
invented
12. Mali
2. Benin 13. Mozambique
3. Burkina Faso 14. Niger
4. Burundi 15. Nigeria
5. Cameroon 16. Rwanda
6. Cote d’Ivore 17. Senegal
7. Democratic Republic of Congo 18. Sierra Leone
8. Ethiopia 19. Tanzania
9. Guinea 20. The Gambia
10. Kenya 21 Togo
11. Liberia

30. Towards an SRI-AFRICA Network
Main Objective: To build a vibrant Africa-wide Community of
Practice on SRI, for knowledge sharing, advocacy and action
(An African voice for SRI)
More specifically:
a) Build SRI-Africa network for peer support and as a
learning and knowledge sharing platform on SRI
b) Gather, contribute to, share and utilize knowledge and
best practices on SRI to facilitate informed choices
c) Resource mobilization to support SRI actions
d) Implement programmes/projects & activities that lead to
upscaling of SRI – including meetings, exchange visits, etc.
e) Work towards establishing national SRI networks which
can implement projects – first develop national workshops
which culminate in an Africa-wide SRI network
Currently, we have developed a web portal for knowledge sharing – Credit
to Cornell University (SRI-RICE) baseline database
Website for knowldge sharing: www.sri-africa.net

31. Acknowledgements
• Dr. Raphael Wanjogu
• Eng. Hosea Wendot
• Mr. Laban Kiplagat
• Mr. Joel Tanui
• Eng. Daniel Barasa
• Mr. Richard Githaiga
• Mr. Moses Kareithi
• Mr. Kennedy Ouma
• Dr. Jackline Ndiiri
• Prof. Patrick Home
• Mr. Wycliffe Nyangau
• Edith Obunge
• Boaz Ochieng Omondi
• Saverio Ireri
• Innocent Ariemba
• Mercy Kithia
• Moses Kareithi
• Mathew Kamanu
• NIB General Manager
• MIAD
• Staff & SRI farmers in Mwea, Ahero, Bunyala,
West Kano
• JKUAT
• AICAD
• WB
• WBI
• Ministry of Water & Irrigation
• Ministry of Agriculture
• Cornell University (USA)
• Media(KBC, Nation, Standard, People, Citizen)
• Friends and well-wishers
• Cornell University, USA

32. 11/27/2018 32
THANK YOU
www.sri-africa.net