On January 21, 2025, the SRI Global Research Network hosted an insightful session in its webinar series titled “System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Research in Africa.” This webinar featured two remarkable speakers: Primitiva Andrea Mboyerwa from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania and Aisha Abdulkadir from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
Primitiva Andrea Mboyerwa delivered presentation titled “Eco Rice: The SRI’s Pathway to Multiple Sustainable Development Goals.” She emphasized how SRI practices align with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including zero hunger, climate action, and responsible consumption-production. Mboyerwa elaborated on specific case studies from Tanzania, showcasing how SRI methods have improved rice yields, reduced water usage, and minimized methane emissions, thereby contributing directly to food security and climate change mitigation.
Aisha Abdulkadir presented on the topic “Enhancing Food Security in Africa through SRI: Challenges and Opportunities.” She discussed how SRI could bring a great leap in agricultural yield and resilience while addressing socio-economic and infrastructural barriers to its wide-scale adoption in Africa. She urged that strong policy support and farmer education programs have an increasing need to unlock the full potential of SRI practices.
The session was well moderated by Ravindra Chandra Joshi from the University of Southeastern Philippines. His facilitation allowed for deep discussions on the practical applications, challenges, and opportunities of implementing SRI.
A key takeaway from the webinar was the recognition of SRI as a scalable and adaptable agricultural innovation capable of contributing significantly to food security, environmental conservation, and economic empowerment in Africa. The speakers called for increased collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and development organizations to accelerate the adoption of SRI practices across the continent.
For those who were unable to attend the live session, the full recording is available on YouTube and can be accessed below. Stay tuned for updates and announcements about upcoming events by subscribing to our email newsletter at sri-research.org.