MOROGORO: RICE farmers have been urged to adopt Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standards for Sustainable Rice Cultivation that mitigate the effect of climate change to enable the production of rice that meets international market standards.

The call was made recently in Morogoro during a seven -day SRP training (held from February 29 to March 2, 2024 and 4 to 7 March, 2024), organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) through the Project of capacity development and experience sharing for Rice Value Chains through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).

The project is funded by the government of Korea and implemented by FAO in three countries including the Philippines, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania and it emphasises efficient utilisation of Resources in the rice production system, Land and Water together with agricultural inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, and improved seeds while protecting the environments.

FAO National Project Coordinator in Tanzania, Mr Deomedes Kalisa shared the four-year project (2020–2024) achievements which among many saw TARI Researchers visit the Philippines to learn more about the country’s practice in rice farming.

Addressing the participants at the training, TARI Director General Dr Thomas Bwana expressed his appreciation to FAO as a committed development partner for their support which enables TARI to carry out its mandates, and requested FAO to continue the same to improve the livelihood of Tanzania farmers.

Also, Dr Kulwa Furahisha, a researcher from TARI Ifakara commended the project for equipping rice farmers with practical knowledge and skills that will enable them to meet international market standards without contributing to environmental degradation.

Mr Nassor Katoto – a Rice farmer, who is one of the beneficiaries of the training from Dakawa, in Mvomero District, Morogoro Region, said he has benefited from both theoretical and practical training offered to them by the researchers.

Katoto said among the skills he has acquired in the preparation of rice mat nurseries which requires almost 3 to 5 kilogrammes of seed that are less in comparison to the traditional system where he spent almost 20 kilogrammes for one hectare.

The training included FAO representatives, agricultures officers from various rice schemes in Morogoro, Iringa, and Mbeya regions of Tanzania, farmers and other key stakeholders along the rice value chains, and Researchers from Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI).

Published Date: March 16, 2024