Rice Self-sufficiency Research Articles

Resource-optimized cnns for real-time rice disease detection with ARM cortex-M microprocessors

This study explores the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), for detecting rice plant diseases using ARM Cortex-M microprocessors. Given the significant role of rice as a staple food, particularly in Malaysia where the rice self-sufficiency ratio dropped from 65.2% in 2021 to 62.6% in 2022, there is a pressing need for advanced disease detection methods to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. The research utilizes two extensive datasets for model training and validation: the first dataset includes 5932 images across four rice disease classes, and the second comprises 10,407 images across ten classes. These datasets facilitate comprehensive disease detection analysis, leveraging MobileNetV2 and FD-MobileNet models optimized for the ARM Cortex-M4 microprocessor. The performance of these models is rigorously evaluated in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. MobileNetV2, for instance, demonstrates a high accuracy rate of 97.5%, significantly outperforming FD-MobileNet, especially in detecting complex disease patterns such as tungro with a 93% accuracy rate. Despite FD-MobileNet’s lower resource consumption, its accuracy is limited to 90% across varied testing conditions. Resource optimization strategies highlight that even slight adjustments, such as a 0.5% reduction in RAM usage and a 1.14% decrease in flash memory, can result in a notable 9% increase in validation accuracy. This underscores the critical balance between computational resource management and model performance, particularly in resource-constrained settings like those provided by microcontrollers. In summary, the deployment of CNNs on microcontrollers presents a viable solution for real-time, on-site plant disease detection, demonstrating potential improvements in detection accuracy and operational efficiency. This study advances the field of smart agriculture by integrating cutting-edge AI with practical agricultural needs, aiming to address the challenges of food security in vulnerable regions.

Reexploring Rice Germplasm: Enlightening a New Path Towards Abiotic Stress-resilient Crop

Oryza sativa, the commonly cultivated rice, is one of the most important crops for human consumption, but is also a crop whose production system is increasingly threatened by the current climate changes. Due to its intensive water requirement rice faces a lot of challenges due to abiotic stresses like drought, heat stress, salinity, flooding etc. Drought is the major abiotic stress to rice grain production under unpredictable and changing environmental conditions. Traits supporting drought resistance are limited in cultivars, while wild rice species like O. glaberrima, O. longistaminata, O. rufipogon and O. meridonalis represent an important reservoir of useful genes for this trait which can be exploited to develop varieties tolerant to drought. Similarly O. australiensis, O. coarctata and O. rufipogon serve as an important sources for salinity-tolerant genes. O. rufipogon, O. meridonalis, O. australiensis comprise a collection of accessions that are reservoirs for heat-tolerant genes. Although many efforts have resulted in breeding rice varieties that are relatively tolerant to their local environments; climate change and population growth are expected to soon require a new, rapid generation of stress-tolerant rice germplasm. Diversity studies suggest that the current diversity within rice varieties may not be sufficient for generation of highly resistant or tolerant varieties for the unfavorable growing conditions. All the efforts to design an ideotype to increase production and productivity has been attempted previously, rice self-sufficiency can be attained only if high production and productivity is coupled with a high degree of tolerance and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors. Since it has been found that wild rice relatives serve as a hub for many desirable genes conferring tolerance or resistance to specific stresses, the present article is focused on provide an overview of different wild ancestors of rice which can be exploited to identify suitable donors for gene of interest, their ecological and genomic diversity and the variation observed in wild Oryza species for different stress tolerance traits. Such identified traits can be incorporated in modern day breeding programmes through marker assisted breeding to develop cultivable varieties with desired tolerance to abiotic stresses or transfer such traits to modern day cultivars through backcross breeding.

Formulation of Rice Accounting Cycle in Indonesia

Objective: This research aims to formulate the accounting cycle for rice in Indonesia, facilitating the resolution of complex issues in rice management and finance from upstream to downstream. Stakeholders, especially the Indonesian government, can utilize appropriate policies to enhance rice management and accounting practices. Theoretical Framework: Addressing the rice issue in Indonesia requires systematic policy interventions to serve as solutions for farmers' challenges. This study will delve into the complexity of these issues using the concept of (Purnamasari et al., 2023), encompassing land area, seed costs, and labor costs as determinants of technical efficiency. It expands on (Purnamasari et al., 2023), analyzing it from an accounting perspective. Method: Employing a phenomenological approach, the researcher conducts observations and direct interviews with a selection of farmers, utilizing ethnographic methods to map out the rice management system in Indonesia. Results and Discussion: The researcher successfully formulates the accounting cycle for rice, offering a comprehensive solution for rice management in Indonesia. The rice accounting cycle comprises seedling, land processing, planting and maintenance, and harvesting and distribution phases. Research Implications: The government plays a pivotal role in implementing the Management Control System (MCS) for the rice accounting cycle to improve farmers' welfare and ensure rice self-sufficiency from production to distribution. Originality/Value: This research is the first to comprehensively examine rice management and accounting practices in Indonesia. Previous studies have been partial in their approach, thus failing to provide effective solutions for rice management and accounting in the country.

Respons Agronomi dan Fisiologi Genotipe Padi (Oryza sativa L.) pada Budi Daya Berkelanjutan

Efforts to maintain rice production in the future face many challenges, including the availability of increasingly narrow land, attacks by plant pest organisms, and declining land fertility due to improper cultivation systems. More than 70% of rice fields are in a disturbed ecological status due to cultivation technology that could be more environmentally friendly, which can interfere with the sustainability of rice self-sufficiency. An environmentally friendly rice cultivation system needs to be developed. This study aims to measure the agronomic and physiological responses of 3 rice genotypes in sustainable cultivation systems. The experiment used a Group Random Design on 3 rice genotypes (black, red, and white) in both conventional and sustainable cultivation systems. The research was carried out in the experimental garden of Polinela Organic Farm, Lampung State Polytechnic, from September 2020 to September 2021. The results showed that the plant, leaf greenery, number of tillers, number of panicles, grain weight per panicle, and biomass weight were not significantly different between conventional and sustainable cultivation. At the same time, the harvest and production indices per hectare were significantly different. The physiological responses to the photosynthesis and transpiration rates differed markedly in conventional and continuous cultivation. In contrast, the conductance of stomata did not differ significantly in both cultivation systems. The red rice genotype is the best, and it has a broader adaptation to conventional and sustainable cultivation systems. Keywords: agronomy, conventional sysem, physiology, rice genotype, sustainable system

PREDICTING RICE SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN SIERRA LEONE USING ARIMA MODEL

Rice is the staple food in Sierra Leone, with the annual consumption increasing faster than the yearly production. As a result, the county is yet to be self-sufficient in rice production, resulting in a very high annual import bill. This paper aims to predict Sierra Leone's self-sufficiency in rice until 2030. The time series modeling approach (Box Jenkins' ARIMA model) was used to forecast rice production, consumption, and finally, rice self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone. The predicted results of the study showed that the self-sufficiency rate of rice will fluctuate between 63% and 65% in the forecasted period of 2021 and 2024 and will then remain stable (constant) at 63% until 2030. Therefore, as shown from the study results, Sierra Leone will continue to import about 37% of rice annually at the current production scenario until 2030. This study's findings showcased that although the country has formulated some viable policies to boost rice production, more effort is needed to ensure self-sufficiency. However, any policy to increase rice production should strive to improve small-scale rice producers in line with their agronomic practices.

Spatiotemporal dynamic of rice production and its carbon footprint in Hainan, China: Implications for food security and environmental sustainability.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) feeds more than half of the global population and faces the critical issues related to food security and environmental sustainability. This study analyzed double rice production data from 2010 to 2020 to assess its spatiotemporal dynamic in food production and carbon (C) footprint in Hainan province, China. The results revealed a 29.5% reduction in rice planting area, leading to a significantly decreased rice self-sufficiency rate from 38% to 33% from 2010 to 2020. During this period, the carbon footprint per unit area (CFa) for early, late, and double rice showed a fluctuating upward trend ranging from 8.1 to 8.4, 8.9 to 9.2, and 17.0 to 17.4 t CO2-eq ha-1, respectively. The total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of rice production decreased to around 2 million t CO2-eq, primarily due to reduced planting area. The C sequestration initially increased before decreasing to 1.2 million t C in 2020 at a temporal scale. Spatially, the northeast and southwest regions exhibited ∼70% of the total GHG emissions and ∼80% of C sequestration. The regional C footprint per unit yield displayed less favorable outcomes, with some areas (e.g., Wenchang and Haikou) experiencing emission hotspots in recent years. Higher yield and smaller CFa for Lingao and Tunchang were observed compared to the average between 2010 and 2020. This study provides insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of double rice production and GHG emissions in Hainan, offering a scientific reference for regional food security and environmental sustainability.

Assessment of Increasing Rice Plant Index 400 with the Application of Environmentally Friendly Rice Cultivation Technology in Irrigation Land, Banjar City, West Java

Abstract Achieving rice self-sufficiency is the main target of the Ministry of Agriculture in order to meet the demand for rice consumption which continues to increase every year. Various efforts have been made, including through a program to increase the Rice Planting Index (PI) from 300 to 400 or from three times to four times in one year. The research aim was to determine the technical and financial feasibility of increasing PI Paddy 400 by applying Environmentally Friendly Rice Cultivation (EFRC) technology to irrigated paddy fields. The study was carried out in an irrigated paddy field in Pataruman Village, Pataruman District, Banjar City, West Java Province, Indonesia. The study used an adaptive research approach on 2.0 ha of farmers’ land involving 12 implementing farmers (cooperators). The assessment will be carried out in 2021, starting from the 2nd Planting Season (PS) to the 4th PS, while the 1st PS activities have been carried out by farmers. The technology adapted is the early maturing New Superior Varieties (NSV) Cakrabuana and M70D as well as setting cropping patterns and implementing EFRC technology packages. The results of the study show that the use of NSV Cakrabuana and M70D can speed up harvest time, so that they can harvest four times in one year. EFRC technology can increase rice production for one year by 24.24% from 16.5 to 20.5 tons of dry harvested grain (DHG). Farmers are still hesitant to develop PI 400 rice technology even though it is financially profitable and feasible with an RC Ratio of 1.84.

Demand of Imported Rice in Mozambique (2011 - 2020)

Rice plays an important role in the food and nutrition security of the Mozambican population and has been importing rice to meet growing consumption needs. There are several studies regarding demand of imported rice worldwide. However, it is noted that despite the importance of imported rice in national consumption, the empirical and quantitative studies on the demand for imported rice in Mozambique are scarce. This study results from the need to contribute to filling the information gap by providing the quantification of the impact of income and price on the consumption of imported rice. Based on monthly rice import data from 2011 to 2020, obtained from INE, the Source Differentiated Almost Ideal Demand System (SDAIDS) model and the Seemingly Unrelated Rules (SUR) approach are applied to estimate demand systems for imported rice. The period was chosen due to availability of data. The results of this study show that the national production of rice still does not cover internal needs, so the country resorts to imports to fill the deficit. The elasticities of demand for rice imported into Mozambique show that all income elasticities of demand are statistically significant, except for “other countries” or Rest of the World. The results also show that when income increases by 1%, the demand for rice increases by 1.2% when coming from “Pakistan”, and by 1.1% when coming from “Singapore”, by 1.03% for “Vietnam”; and in for those from “Myanmar” (1.1%), which suggests that rice from these countries can be classified in the luxury goods category. The results also illustrate that when the price increases by 1%, the quantities demanded decrease, on average, by 1.06% for rice coming from “Pakistan”; by 1.06% for those from “Singapore”; 1.22% for those from “Myanmar”; 0.96% for those from “Vietnam”; by 0.89% for “India”; by 0.79% for “China”; in 0.974% for “Thailand” and in 0.56% for those coming from “other countries”. The low levels of production and productivity show that it is still a challenge to guarantee rice self-sufficiency in Mozambique, and efforts to improve supply must continue, since the country's dependence on imported rice can potentially create conditions of vulnerability and insecurity and adverse market effects have competitive advantages.

A Review on Economic Implications of Nigeria’s Border Closure on Rice Importation

Nigeria’s border closure on rice importation has significant economic implications that require comprehensive analysis. Policymakers must consider both the short-term and long-term effects, as well as broader socioeconomic factors. Balancing economic considerations with employment, food security, and regional disparities is crucial for inclusive and sustainable development. By adopting a holistic approach, Nigeria can navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the border closure, achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, and promote the well-being of its citizens. Gradually phasing out the border closure while enhancing the competitiveness of local rice producers through incentives and support will ensure market efficiency. Investing in agricultural research, extension services, and infrastructure development will improve productivity and quality. Strengthening border control mechanisms will prevent smuggling. To sustain regional economic partnerships, it is critical to collaborate with neighboring countries. Nigeria's border barrier for rice imports presents numerous obstacles and opportunities. Nigeria has the power to attain rice self-sufficiency and promote all-encompassing and sustainable development by implementing a comprehensive strategy that successfully balances economic considerations with broader social factors. This includes gradually phasing out the border closure while enhancing the competitiveness of local rice producers, investing in agricultural research and infrastructure development, strengthening border control mechanisms to prevent smuggling, and collaborating with neighboring countries to maintain regional trade relationships.

Research Trends on Rice Paddy Agriculture: A Bibliometric Analysis

As an important commodity, rice paddy is a vital agricultural resource for the nation’s food security. Rice paddy has been the central focus of Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency agenda as the paddy industry has a significant role in creating food self-sufficiency, job opportunities, and increasing people’s income; hence, it has been extensively studied. To reveal the research situation pertaining to rice paddy agriculture objectively, this paper utilized the bibliometric method to analyze the trends and research features in rice paddy farming over the past 100 years from the Scopus database. Basic characteristics of literature, the research power of the research area, and the most researched topics that have been studied with the greatest frequency and are currently attracting the most attention are observed in this paper. The results show that research on rice paddy agriculture has rapidly emerged since the 1990s, with a significant increase in the total of citations received by publications. The top research subject categories are namely: Agriculture and Biological Sciences; Environmental Science; and Social Sciences, while the top preferred journals for publications in the field of rice paddy agriculture are Sustainability Switzerland; Field Crops Research; and Indian Journal of Agriculture Sciences. The study has significant implications for scholars, decision-makers, and practitioners in rice paddy agriculture, providing a comprehensive overview of existing publications and identifying key areas for future investigation.

Rice Self-Sufficiency and Optimization of Irrigation by Using System Dynamic

This research intends to optimize the results of irrigation canals with the conversion of function to fisheries without reducing rice self-sufficiency regionally. However, irrigation is an infrastructure asset that needs to be used optimally. It is due to the water; water sources and irrigation infrastructure can provide more benefits to rice fields, which are to function as fisheries in the study location (West Sumatra Province). The aim of this research is to propose the optimal combinations of irrigated land planted with rice and those in the form of fisheries. The methodology uses System Dynamics due to the official BPS data. There are many tools that are used in this system dynamics approach, such as causal diagrams, archetype systems, diagrams of stock and flow, and the behavior of over-time graphs. The DSS generator for simulating the program in this study uses Stella, which is a new paradigm in the water resources system approach. The result shows that the potential increase in income that could be obtained by converting the rice fields to tilapia fisheries is about 126 million Rupiah per year per hectare. West Sumatra Province, as a national rice granary, has many districts that are more self-sufficient in rice, so it can be considered to utilize irrigation to become the irrigation for fisheries. The potential of rice fields that can be converted into fisheries while maintaining self-sufficiency in rice at the district/city level of West Sumatra Province is more than 61 thousand hectares, and it generates an increase in income of about 7.7 trillion per year. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-02-010 Full Text: PDF

Agroecological Nutrient Management Strategy for Attaining Sustainable Rice Self-Sufficiency in Indonesia

Rice self-sufficiency is central to Indonesia’s agricultural development, but the country is increasingly challenged by population growth, climate change, and arable land scarcity. Agroecological nutrient management offers solutions though optimized fertilization, enhanced organic matter and biofertilizer utilizations, and improved farming systems and water management. Besides providing enough nutrients for crops, the agroecological approach also enhances resilience to climate change, reduces the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions, and improves the biological functions of rice soil. Organic and bio fertilizers can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. For example, blue-green algae may contribute 30–40 kg N ha−1, while the application of phosphate solubilizing microbes can reduce the use of chemical phosphorous fertilizers by up to 50 percent. The country currently experiences substantial yield gaps of about 37 percent in irrigated and 48 percent in rain-fed rice. Achieving self-sufficiency requires that Indonesia accelerates annual yield growth through agroecological nutrient management from a historical 40 kg ha−1 year−1 to 74 kg ha−1 year−1. The aim is to raise the average yield from the current 5.2 t ha−1 year−1 to 7.3 t ha−1 year−1 by 2050. Simultaneously, controlling paddy field conversion to a maximum of 30,000 hectares per year is crucial. This strategic approach anticipates Indonesia’s milled rice production to reach around 40 million metric tonnes (Mt) by 2050, with an expected surplus of about 4 Mt.

Strategies for achieving targeted Indonesian rice self-sufficiency: A comprehensive policy analysis

Strategies for achieving targeted Indonesian rice self-sufficiency: A comprehensive policy analysis

Revitalising the function of agricultural extension in Indonesia to support rice self-sufficiency

Revitalising the function of agricultural extension in Indonesia to support rice self-sufficiency

THE ANALYSIS OF RICE MASSIVE IMPORTING IN INDONESIA BASED ON MACROECONOMICS, MICROECONOMICS, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND POLITIC ECONOMICS

Abstract - Rice is a crucial staple food in Indonesia, and the country's decision to import 3 million tonnes of rice has significant implications for its economy, agriculture sector, and food security. This study aims to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of this massive rice importation through a comprehensive examination of macroeconomics, microeconomics, international economics, and political economics. The main objectives are to provide recommendations for managerial stakeholders and to develop a vision for rice self-sufficiency. The background problems include the potential impact on Indonesia's trade balance, foreign exchange reserves, market consumption, and the socio-economic effects on local farmers. The novelty of this study lies in the lack of adequate research on the enduring effects of extensive rice imports and the need to explore options for achieving a balance between imports and domestic production. The research methods involve a literature review and analysis of scholarly articles and journals, focusing on economic indicators, trade statistics, and agricultural production data. The findings highlight the macroeconomic and microeconomic implications of rice imports, including potential disruptions in the agricultural industry, income distribution, and market dynamics. The conclusion emphasizes the need for comprehensive policies to address the challenges of rice importation and achieve a balance between food security and economic sustainability. The implications of the research underscore the importance of strategic decision-making to harmonize the needs of customers, farmers, and the broader economy, while safeguarding overall economic stability and social welfare.
 Keywords: Export; Import; International Economics; Macroeconomics; Microeconomics; Politic Economics; Rice Self-Sufficiency

DETERMINANTS OF CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR RICE IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

The study analysed the determinants of consumer preference for rice in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of rice consumers in the study area; identify and rank attributes that determine consumer preference for rice and examine the relationship between price and quality attributes of rice. A sample size of 125 was obtained using Khotari (2004) formula for estimating sample size. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data were collected by use of structured questionnaires administered to respondents selected using a random sampling technique. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis. The findings of the descriptive statistics revealed that the respondents were mostly females within the age group of 31-40 years. Majority (68%) are married, educated and earning above the N18, 000 minimum wage as their monthly income. The result further indicates that price, cleanliness, taste, availability and source of origin were the most preferred rice quality attributes. The results of the hedonic price analysis revealed that taste, cohesion, cleanliness, grain size and swelling capacity showed a positive significant relationship with price. The study concludes that consumer preference for rice quality attributes was found to affect price both positively and negatively. Hence, the study recommends that all efforts to improve rice production in Nigeria must therefore aim to introduce these desirable attributes into breeding programmes so as to raise the demand for local rice, thereby helping the country achieve its rice self-sufficiency goal.

Prospects of Indonesian Rice Self-sufficiency As a Food Security Effort Using a Dynamic System Model

Problems at the level of rice production faced include reduced agricultural land due to land conversion, damage to irrigation networks, pests and diseases in production and not yet maximizing productivity because the use of seeds and fertilizers has not been optimal. Meanwhile, at the consumer level, the need for rice continues to increase, both to meet industrial needs, to meet household (RT) and non-RT needs. The purpose of this research is to simulate a scenario of achieving self-sufficiency in rice in the dynamic system model, to find out the key factors that determine the achievement of self-sufficiency in rice in Indonesia and to develop policy recommendations needed to achieve self-sufficiency in rice towards food security. The research method used is a system dynamic approach using secondary data to build a simulation model. The simulation results show that the paddy field printing program contributes the most to increasing rice self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the intensification and reduction of rice consumption, but these two policies did not have a major impact on self-sufficiency in rice, in contrast to the results of achieving self-sufficiency in the extensification program. But unfortunately, creating paddy fields, intensification in the form of using certified seeds and decreasing consumption are the biggest obstacles currently facing agricultural development.

A Study on Rice Growth Monitoring Using Drone Remote Sensing

Rice paddy is one of the key crops of Korean agriculture and it has long been regarded as an important crop. Due to the high self-sufficiency of rice in Korea, the need to establish systematic rice paddy field data is increasing, and rice paddy research using remote sensing is being conducted several times in Korea. The optical satellite remote sensing method faces difficulties in data acquisition due to the abundance of clouds caused by the summer monsoon season, a characteristic of the domestic climate. However, the drone remote sensing method equipped with an optical sensor has the advantage of being able to freely acquire data, avoiding periods with high cloud cover. In this study, a drone equipped with a multispectral optical sensor was utilized to measure the height of rice paddy. Compared to satellites, drones provide the advantage of flexible timing for observations, allowing for the acquisition of high-frequency time-series data according to specific preferences. In this study, we seek to obtain values related to rice growth rates by analyzing optical data acquired through drone remote sensing. The DJI MAVIC 2 PRO drone was employed, and the Metashape program was utilized to generate a highresolution digital elevation model (DEM) from optical data. After the harvest period, rice-free rice paddy data were assumed to be digital terrain model (DTM), the height of the rice paddies. During the rice growth period, a digital surface model (DSM) was generated from drone imagery, and by calculating the difference between DSM and DTM, the height and growth of the rice plants were observed. Using network GPS measurement data, we validated monthly DEM models. This allowed us to anticipate the acquisition of precise rice growth data throughout the year, from planting to harvest.

Assessment of agronomic performances of aromatic varieties in stations in the senegal river valley (vfs)

Senegal is one of the largest rice importing countries in West Africa with rice production that still fails to meet consumer demands. The State has made great efforts to make up for the deficit in local production by setting up the Program for the Acceleration of the Agricultural Cadence in Senegal (PRACAS) and the National Program for Self-sufficiency in Rice (PNAR), whose objective is to satisfy national demand with a halt in imports. To support this dynamic, the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA) has revised these research activities with the introduction of a major selection component for new high-yielding rice varieties with good grain quality. It is within this framework, in partnership with BAYER, that the ISRA of Saint Louis is evaluating new varieties of hybrid rice. This study attempts to evaluate the behavior of new hybrid varieties according to two sowing methods in the Senegal River Valley. The material is composed of two hybrid varieties 6444 GOLD and TEJ GOLD and a control Sahel 108. The device is in split-plot with the sowing methods in large plots and the varieties in small plots. The effect of the sowing method on the behavior of the varieties was only noted to be significant on the cycle at maturity; the hybrids have longer cycles than the control Sahel 108 both in direct sowing and in transplanting. The varieties have different agronomic behaviors only on the weight of 1000 seeds, the length of the panicle and the duration of cycles at 50% flowering. The TEJ GOLD variety has a long panicle and a good grain load per panicle. The best performances such as very good tillering ability (6444 GOLD) and good panicle load (TEJ GOLD) were recorded in the hybrids. These hybrids would behave better in direct seeding in terms of yield, unlike the control Sahel 108. From the above, we can say that the introduction of these hybrid varieties could significantly increase rice production and productivity and contribute to achieve our self-sufficiency in rice.

Increasing lowland rice yields of smallholder farmers through the adoption of good agricultural practices in the forest agro-ecological zone of Ghana

ABSTRACT Rice is an important food crop in Ghana. However, its production has constantly been below 40% of the demand, and most of the requirements meet from imports. Such low production level is largely attributed to farmers’ sub-optimal crop and water management practices. As an effort toward sustainably improving rice yield, three-season on-farm participatory experiments were conducted within the Biem watershed in Ghana to determine the potential of good agricultural practices (GAP) for closing the rice yield gap with agronomic and economic sustainability. Good agricultural practices were compared with 23 farmers’ traditional practices on lowland rice growth and yield, profitability, and nutrient use efficiency. The effect of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) with GAP on grain yield of rice was also determined. Rice yield was on average 28% higher under GAP than farmers’ practices (FP). Alternate wetting and drying did not have significant effect on rice yield when compared to continuous flooding. However, when GAP was combined with AWD, rice yield was 13% higher than under FP. Furthermore, the results of the study indicate that major gains in nitrogen use efficiency (+1.48 kg grain kg−1 N; +2.4%), and net profit (+694.35 USD ha−1; +59%) were achievable through the adoption of GAP. There is therefore, a high potential to close the lowland rice yield gap and achieve rice self-sufficiency through the adoption of GAP in the lowlands of the Inland valley of Ghana and similar rice production regions of West Africa.