Management of rice production systems to increase productivity

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Applying just compost alone gave statistically the same yield as
compost with 40 and 80 kg/ha N for both varieties. Doubling of the N
application did not significantly increase yields for either variety. Although
there was no P and K basal application with compost as a treatment, the
results suggested that P and K were probably limiting. The 70‐30‐30 kg/ha
NPK gave the highest yield most probably as a result of applied P and K.
Compost applied during the cropping requires some time to
adequately mineralize and mix in the soil profile. The subsequent crop
usually benefits more from compost application than the current one.
3.3.6. On‐Farm SRI Management Trial
The Gambia is the first country in Africa after Madagascar to
experiment with SRI management practices. Farmers in the vicinity of Sapu
station were invited to participate in a field day of the Gambia National
Agricultural Research Institute in December 2000. Farmers had first‐hand
opportunity to see the results of SRI management practices using the local
varieties grown in the area. Farmers expressed interest to try the management
practices in their fields. In 2001, an SRI on‐farm trial was designed, and 10
households participated.
The major planning constraints were land preparation and water
control. Extra time and labor had to be devoted to land preparation;
puddling, leveling, bund reconstruction, and cleaning of drainage canals.
Second, farmers in The Gambia do not have a well developed culture of water
control. Drainage mechanisms are often not utilized. Fields are kept flooded