This document summarizes a presentation on introducing Kenyan participation in climate-smart agriculture practices through the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). It notes that 40 participants from farmer groups, researchers, government ministries, and international organizations are attending. SRI trials in Kenya have shown yields can be increased by up to 2 bags/acre compared to conventional methods, with a 28% increase in net income. Key challenges include mindsets resistant to change and lack of proper weeders and extension workers, but lessons indicate that scientific basis for SRI has been proven and adoption rates are improving through training. The presentation concludes by thanking participants and noting that SRI results in rice being "eaten with a smile."

1. INTRODUCING KENYAN PARTICIPATION KDLC, Nairobi, 24th August 2011 South-South Knowledge Sharing on Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices Producing More with Less Input through SRI – the System of Rice Intensification Prof. Bancy M. MatiSRI Projects Coordinator

2. Kenyan Participants 40 participants are here: Farmers from Mwea, Ahero, Bunyala & West Kano Researchers from JKUAT Government officials from the Ministry of Water & Irrigation, and the Ministry of Agriculture Regional/international organizations from World Bank Majority are adopters and practitioners of SRI

3. Rice Production in Kenya Huge demand for rice – partly due to urbanization National consumption - 300,000 tons /year - increasing at 12% (4% for wheat, 1% for maize) Rice production - 45,000-80,000 tons /year Deficit is imported - Ksh.7 billion /year Rice - the most expensive grain in Kenya (retailing at Ksh.150-200 per kg) Rice to become main cereal food in Kenya

4. Background to SRI efforts in Kenya SRI was introduced in Kenya at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in July 2009 Initial partners - JKUAT, NIB, AICAD, WB, WBI, MoA, MWI, KARI, Cornell University (of USA), Mwea Irrigation Scheme/MIAD, private sector, and farmers The first six months (July-Dec 2009) were funded by AICAD to test if SRI works in Mwea. Good results were obtained from two pioneer farmer trials, In Sept. 2009 and Jan. 2010, WBI organized two South-South knowledge sharing on SRI between India, Rwanda, Madagascar, Japan, and Kenya. Since April 2010, JKUAT Innovation Fund has been supporting a 3-year SRI research & capacity-building project in Mwea. From June 2011, NIB is supporting a six-month project to upscale SRI in 4 schemes, i.e. Ahero, West Kano, Bunyala & Mwea.

5. Institutions and individuals supported SRI efforts Participants at 2nd SRI planning meeting on 18 August 2009 Participants in 1st National SRI workshop 7 May 2010

6. Activities Implemented Awareness-creation Scientific research on SRI (1 PhD, 3 MSc) Quantifying yields, economic returns, and water savings from SRI Assessing mosquito survival under SRI Capacity-building through workshops, field days, and invited trainers from India & Japan 1,800 individuals trained on SRI so far Dissemination of SRI brochures, training notes, video conferences

7. SRI research & farmer trials Measuring water input in a research plot Farmer SRI trials Mosquito trap in research plot 9/1/2011

8. Field days & open days for SRI training SRI field day in Mwea - 5 August 2010 SRI field day in Mwea - 7December 2010 SRI Open Day - 4 November 2010 8 8 9/1/2011 SRI field day (transplanting) -21 July 2011

9. Up-scaling SRI in Ahero, West Kano & Bunyala Launching SRI in Ahero Scheme Launching SRI in West Kano Scheme Launching SRI in Bunyala Scheme

10. Key findings – based on SRI farmer crop of Dec 2010 Results show that SRI works in Mwea SRI yields 6.0 - 8.5 t/ha, compared to 5.0-6.0 t/ha under conventional local practice Net increase averaged 4.36 bags/acre (0.98 t/ha) - some farmers got 7 bags/acre more from SRI SRI rice is heavier, weighing 100-110 kg compared to the 85-90 kg using conventional method Net average incomes for SRI was KSh.98,605/acre (KSh.246,513/ha) compared to KSh.75,526/acre (KSh.188,815/ha) - 28% increase. Farmers use 5 kg/acre of seed for SRI compared to 25 kg conventional paddy Water savings were 25% less under SRI compared to conventional flooded paddy

11. SRI Results have been good SRI fields in Mwea Harvesting SRI rice

12. Training of Trainers for SRI Up-scaling in Kenya SRI ToT in class - combined for Ahero, Bunyala, West Kano and Mwea SRI ToT in the field combined with farmer exchange visit

13. Challenges Mindset, skepticism, resistance Young, newly-transplanted SRI seedlings are vulnerable to bird damage A higher incidence of weeds with no flooding Crops not weeded with rotary weeders due to lack of proper weeders to date Rice blast (a disease) affected crop in 2010 Some farmers are applying partial SRI principles Planting calendar at Mwea affected rice yields Shortage of extension workers to reach out to farmers

14. Sharing Experiences on SRI SRI Field day in Mwea SRI ToT & Video Conference

15. Lessons Scientific basis for adoption of SRI has been proven Aggressive awareness-creation and hands-on training has resulted in good adoption rates SRI message is now accepted in all 4 schemes There are many spin-off innovations, e.g., 3 local people have begun fabricating rotary weeders Farmer behaviour has changed – most use less water Private sector - interest by Numerical Machining Complex to support development of rotary weeders Government support – extending of SRI to Ahero, West Kano & Bunyala by NIB

16. THANK YOU “Rice is nice….it is eaten with a spoon…” A nursery ryme I say, SRI rice is better… it is eaten with a smile……B. Mati 16 9/1/2011