1.
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
Reduced Methane Emissions Rice
Production Project in Northern Nigeria
using
Systems of Rice Intensification (SRI).
Demonstration Progress

2.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
Background to SRI Project
Nigeria is the largest producer and consumer of rice in Africa. The country produces about 5 million metric
tonnes of rice against a demand of 6.8 million metric tonnes per annum. About 90% of the rice is grown on
paddies by resource-constrained smallholder farmers. Rice paddies contribute about 15-20% of total global
anthropological methane emissions, and overall rice farming accounts for around 2.5% of all global human-
induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making its climate footprint comparable to that of international
aviation.
System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a climate smart practice that increases productivity of rice and reduces
methane emissions (by between 22% to 64%). Through support from the UK’s Department for Business
Environment and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) PACT Programme, in collaboration with the UK’s Foreign
Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has enabled Tetra Tech to implement an SRI pilot project in
Northern Nigeria through its LINKS programme.
The project in its first phase, has established 27 SRI Climate-smart villages in Kano and Jigawa States. LINKS
is working with rice aggregators to establish an out-grower model with field coordinators linked to each
aggregator offering extension, agricultural input and aggregation services to farmers. Field Coordinators and
Lead Farmers who manage 27 demonstration plots have been trained in SRI practices and over a wet and dry
farming season will step down the SRI practices to farmers in the SRI climate-smart villages.
The pilot is carrying out a series of demonstrations on SRI in 27 demo plots over two agricultural seasons for
1,350 small-holder farmers. It is also working with a research partner to monitor the application and impact of
SRI in relation to soil quality, green-house-gas (GHG) emissions, farmer uptake, yields and incomes
Expected impact of phase 1 of the pilot is: 1000 farmers with increased incomes, 36 jobs, and reduced GHG
emissions

3.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
13 July 2021_Nursery was established on a raised bed. In the dry season, it will be a sunken
bed.
Primed seeds sown in shallow grooves at 10cm intervals.
Lightly covered with soil and mulched with dry material.
Germination after 4 days was greater than 90%
Seedlings were ready for transplanting at 11 days after sowing.
SRI Nursery

4.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
24/07/2021 _Transplanting at Kadumen Tudu.
At 11 days after sowing, the seedlings were ready for transplanting.
Land was prepared, basins constructed and levelled, Organic Fertilizer applied and pre-irrigation done a day earlier.
1 seedling was transplanted at 30cm inter row and intra row (between rows and between plants).
A planting rake was used to get correct spacing.
24 July 2021 _Transplanting at Kadumen Tudu, Nigeria
At 11 days after sowing, the seedlings were ready for transplanting.
Land was prepared, basins constructed and levelled, Organic Fertilizer applied and pre-
irrigation done a day earlier.
1 seedling was transplanted at 30cm inter-row and intra-row (between rows and between
plants).
A planting rake was used to ensure correct spacing.
Transplanting

5.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
12 August 2021_1st weeding at 19 days after transplanting.
Motorized weeder was used to weed the plot
Weeding

6.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
21/08/2021_ USG
Application 4 weeks after
transplanting
Top dressing was done
using Urea Super
Granules (USG).
The granules were
applied at 1 USG to 4 rice
plants.
Fertiliser Application

7.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
27 August 2021_ Field growth at 5 weeks after transplanting
Field Progress

8.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
5 September 2021_An SRI field 6 weeks after transplanting
Field Progress

9.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
21 September 2021_Field at 9 weeks after
transplanting with profuse tillering.
Average of 91 per stand
Field Progress

10.
10/25/21
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
6 October 2021_Field at 11 weeks after transplanting
Field Progress

11.
Implemented by Tetra Tech International Development
The Reduced Rice Methane Emissions Pilot is implemented by
Tetra Tech International Development in Partnership with:
§ Atafi Agro Merchandise Services Limited
§ Green Sahel Agro Ventures and Merchandising Ltd
§ Silvex International Limited
§ The Centre for Dryland Agriculture, at Bayero University Kano
Find more updates on LINKS’ Website:
https://www.links-nigeria.com/