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Activities have included: analysis of the rice value chain to identify challenges and opportunities
to support rice intensification; assessment of the current agricultural policy situation regarding
rice production in Dandume to evaluate constraints for advocacy within the LGA; identification
and evaluation with farmers of options for improving rice production. This included new
varieties, planting methods, fertiliser and weed management, and soil and water conservation
methods; assessment of intensification options using drill markers and optimal fertiliser
rates; and improved access to inputs through the private sector without fear of adulteration.
Technical interventions included the introduction and farmer testing of:
• Improved seeds namely, high yielding, disease resistant, N-efficient and early-maturing
(110 days) new rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties, developed by the African Rice Center
(AfricaRice, previously the West Africa Rice Development Association, WARDA)
• Increased planting densities to improve yields
• New techniques for fertiliser application and measurements to ensure maximum soil
absorption and utilisation
• Introduction of insecticides to help control termite infestations
• Use of ventilated storage and flat platforms for storage.
Lead farmers from each group initially tested the new rice varieties and management practices.
Many of these farmers later become advocates for change, thereby assisting extension
personnel through farmer-to-farmer extension practices.
Achievements. Stakeholder interactions have ensured farmer access to high-yielding new, rice
varieties and markets resulting in substantially increased productivity. Both producers and
processors have formed themselves into farmer associations and cooperative groups easing
access to finance and other inputs. As a result, both small- and large-scale processors have
emerged and product quality has improved.
Scaling out has occurred from the initial five pilot villages to all 11 villages in Dandume with
the support of the LGA Council. Ownership and leadership of the IP now lies with Dandume
LGA, which is now providing resources for additional inputs and mechanisation. The use of new
technologies has spread widely beyond Dandume.
Rice-producing households report that productivity has increased by 10 percent and household
income has increased by 20 percent (Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, 2010).
Challenges. Problems incurred by the regularity, duration and intensity of rainfall associated
with climate change continue to pose challenges.
Key success factors. The IP has addressed an opportunity, prioritised by Federal, State and
Local Governments, where farmers traditionally produced rice. The IP successfully brought
together the key actors in a process where each was able to learn successfully from the other,
thereby increasing rice productivity and raising farmer incomes in a manner that created local
ownership. This is already being widely scaled out.
Lessons learned. Innovation in Nigeria’s rice industry clearly indicated that the incorporation
of different components of agricultural innovation in the package and the existence of synergy
between the different components of the value chain were critical factors for success.
The case studies: West Africa
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