A Best-Bet System of Rice Intensification and Poverty Alleviation in Zamfara State, Nigeria: A Mixed Method Analysis

Abstract

CONTEXTZamfara State is impoverished due to low agricultural productivity, inadequate infrastructure, and insecurity. Research has explored System of Rice Intensification (SRI)’s agronomic benefits but not its monetary and non-monetary advantages for rural households in the State. OBJECTIVEThe study investigates the effectiveness of a best-bet SRI (BB-SRI) as a poverty alleviation strategy in Zamfara State by utilizing Bakolori Irrigation Scheme as a case study. The study's anticipated outcome is to provide insights that inform policies and practices in the agricultural sector. METHODA mixed-method approach, including survey and field experiment, was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data from 300 rice farming households, consisting of both users and non-users of BB-SRI in the BIS, Zamfara State. Foster-Greer-Thorbecke method with two poverty lines and a three-dimensional poverty index with three poverty cutoffs were used to analyze monetary and non-monetary poverty, respectively, while three impact parameters were estimated using two selection models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONAgriculture is a critical sector in the BIS area of Zamfara State, Nigeria, but limited electricity and large household sizes pose challenges for productivity and food security. The BB-SRI farming method, which is costlier but yields more rice, has been found to increase revenue and profitability for farmers. Poverty incidence varies significantly depending on the production method used, with BB-SRI users experiencing lower poverty rates than traditional farming methods. BB-SRI reduces non-monetary poverty by 52% among its users in BIS and has the potential to decrease poverty by 16% if adopted by all rice farming households in the region. However, the monetary benefits mainly go to those near the upper monetary poverty line, with the poorest sector benefiting the least. While BB-SRI reduces monetary poverty incidence by 83% among its users, there is a 10% increase in extreme monetary poverty. The poverty alleviation impact of BB-SRI varies across different sectors, with some showing larger reductions than others. Overall, if all farmers used BB-SRI, monetary poverty incidence would decrease by 25%, with an actual reduction of 52% among its users. SIGNIFICANCETargeted policies can ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from SRI adoption, balancing trade-offs between increased yields and reduced off-farm work earnings. Poverty alleviation policies are needed to support vulnerable populations, as SRI adoption can improve food security and livelihoods. This research on SRI's impact on poverty reduction in Zamfara State and northern Nigeria contributes to sustainable agriculture literature and policy development.