Through the practical demonstration of the results, farmers have become involved and aware of the improvements that can be achieved in rice cultivation. IFAD, which works to ensure proper nutrition levels in rural areas, illustrates the originality and the replicability of the project.
At Expo Milano 2015, visitors will be made aware of IFAD project thanks to the photo-story displayed in Pavilon Zero. What message would you like to convey with your approach to the issue of food security?
Improving the livelihoods of the rural poor is at the heart of IFAD’s work, and maximizing agriculture’s contribution to improving nutrition is an essential part of that mission. Good nutrition begins with food and agriculture. Food security and nutrition are at the core of sustainable development. They are essential preconditions for inclusive growth and prosperity, poverty eradication, and individual and social welfare in all its dimensions. Moreover, small producers – women and men - need to be at the centre of the global agenda for food security and nutrition.
What difficulties have you encountered while working on your project? How did you overcome them?
The main difficulties met were political turmoil and the fact that farmers wanted to keep traditional farming methods because of the importance of rice in the local culture. To overcome resistance and raise awareness of System of Rice Intensification (SRI), IFAD adopted a number of measures (education, extension services, trust building) that proved successful.
Since the submission date, how has your project developed to date?
The challenge now is to continue to disseminate the information gathered in order to ensure continuity and constant improvement of SRI technique. This is occurring mainly through farmer-to-farmer teaching which is an effective way because when farmers can observe results of certain practices, the interest within the community grows. Other ways to inform farmers are through booklets, videos and radio programmes
Improving the livelihoods of the rural poor is at the heart of IFAD’s work, and maximizing agriculture’s contribution to improving nutrition is an essential part of that mission. Good nutrition begins with food and agriculture. Food security and nutrition are at the core of sustainable development. They are essential preconditions for inclusive growth and prosperity, poverty eradication, and individual and social welfare in all its dimensions. Moreover, small producers – women and men - need to be at the centre of the global agenda for food security and nutrition.
What difficulties have you encountered while working on your project? How did you overcome them?
The main difficulties met were political turmoil and the fact that farmers wanted to keep traditional farming methods because of the importance of rice in the local culture. To overcome resistance and raise awareness of System of Rice Intensification (SRI), IFAD adopted a number of measures (education, extension services, trust building) that proved successful.
Since the submission date, how has your project developed to date?
The challenge now is to continue to disseminate the information gathered in order to ensure continuity and constant improvement of SRI technique. This is occurring mainly through farmer-to-farmer teaching which is an effective way because when farmers can observe results of certain practices, the interest within the community grows. Other ways to inform farmers are through booklets, videos and radio programmes
What developments do you expect in the long term for your idea?
Scaling up is part of IFAD’s strategy for rural development, we are always bringing in new partners and expanding our technical assistance to various countries.
Do you intend to replicate the project in other countries or in other contexts?
The SRI technique has had remarkable success and offers good opportunities for replication. In fact, IFAD has promoted the new system in other investment projects and programmes, and, has facilitated the spread of SRI knowledge to several countries In Africa, it was brought to Rwanda and Burundi, and all across Asia, people are implementing SRI techniques. In fact, it has gone beyond rice and is being implemented on other crops like wheat or maize.
The SRI technique has had remarkable success and offers good opportunities for replication. In fact, IFAD has promoted the new system in other investment projects and programmes, and, has facilitated the spread of SRI knowledge to several countries In Africa, it was brought to Rwanda and Burundi, and all across Asia, people are implementing SRI techniques. In fact, it has gone beyond rice and is being implemented on other crops like wheat or maize.
