Understanding the Dynamic of Rice Farming Systems in Southern Mozambique to Improve Production and Benefits to Smallholders

Abstract

Rice farming systems (RFSs) in southern Mozambique are very heterogeneous and diversified, which has implications for smallholders’ adoption of each RFS, as well as on rice production and productivity in the region. In this regard, it is important to understand: (i) which RFS typologies can be leveraged to improve rice production and productivity; (ii) the drivers for smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt an RFS; and (iii) which policies/incentives could enhance existing RFSs. The present study was based on surveys of 341 smallholder rice farmers in the Chókwè Irrigation Scheme (CIS), southern Mozambique. Data on the productivity of rice, size of the herd, and total other crop types were used to frame the RFS typologies. A multinomial logit model (MLM) and multiple linear regression (MLR) were applied to determine the driver for each RFS, and predict the constraints for production and yield. Based on cluster analysis, four typologies of RFSs were identified: the subsistence farming system (FS), specialised rice FS, mixed crops FS, and rice–livestock FS. Farms with longer experience reported applying more fertiliser and seedlings per unit hectare. The availability of labour increased the likelihood of adopting the mixed crops FS and rice–livestock FS. Older households were more likely to adopt the subsistence FS, and live closer to the farming fields. Yield of rice was positively associated with inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and seedlings, as well as years of experience of the household. Our results suggest that smallholder farmers need more assistance and technical support to identify and adopt more productive and less costly RFSs in this region.

Rice planting technologies and farm performance under different production systems in Ghana

“…In Ghana and other West African countries, rice is usually produced in swampy areas as a result of inadequate irrigation dams (Amfo et al , 2021). The average paddy yield in SSA, 1.27 tonnes per hectare, is far lower than that of Asia, 4.2 tonnes per hectare (Ishmael et al , 2021). Among other challenges, this gap in rice productivity could be attributed to over-dependence on rain-fed production and poor planting technologies like broadcasting.…”

“…Though the cost of production for irrigated rice system is higher than that of rain-fed, the former leads to higher productivity and profitability than the latter (Ishmael et al , 2021; Hou et al , 2019). Hence, the choice of rice farming systems influences productivity and income of farmers (Ishmael et al , 2021).…”

“…Though the cost of production for irrigated rice system is higher than that of rain-fed, the former leads to higher productivity and profitability than the latter (Ishmael et al , 2021; Hou et al , 2019). Hence, the choice of rice farming systems influences productivity and income of farmers (Ishmael et al , 2021). Thus, there is the need to assess and understand typologies of rice farming systems that enhance production and productivity, and drivers of farmers' decision to choose a rice farming system (Ishmael et al , 2021).…”

Mozambique: Country Profile

“…According to Matchaya et al [77], the country's foremost producers of maize and other cash crops are the central provinces (Manica, Sofala, Tete, and Zambézia), followed by northern provinces (Nampula, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa). In the south, the Chókwè district is the country's largest irrigation scheme and a major rice producer in its region, currently harnessing only 35% of its potential for agriculture [78]. Despite the considerable export volume, Betho et al [79] warned that relying on a narrow range of products causes Mozambique to be vulnerable to fluctuations in the international market.…”

Dynamic analysis and control of a rice-pest system under transcritical bifurcations

“…Oat populations, Avena sativa ) [31], but also accounts for several types of heterogenities (e.g. Rice farming systems) [32] in large-scale systems. As the crop grows, the density of insects increases, but in the first 40 days of cultivation, their density increases significantly [8].…”