In the heart of Southern Benin, where the Lower Ouémé Valley stretches out, a quiet revolution is taking place in the world of rice cultivation. Researchers, led by M. K. Soudé from the University of Abomey-Calavi’s Doctoral School of Agronomic and Water Sciences (EDSAE), are challenging traditional farming methods to make rice production more sustainable and profitable in the face of climate change.
The Lower Ouémé Valley, with its fertile soil and abundant water resources, is a prime location for rice cultivation. However, water management has been a persistent challenge, threatening the productivity and profitability of rice farming in the region. Soudé and his team set out to compare two land management approaches—Smart-Valleys (SV) and conventional methods—and three irrigation levels to find the most efficient and productive combination.
Smart-Valleys, a land management approach that focuses on water conservation and efficient use, along with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), have been gaining traction in West Africa. These methods aim to make rice production more profitable and sustainable, even as climate variability poses new challenges.
The research team conducted experiments using a split-plot design with two replicates per treatment. They found that the Smart-Valleys management approach had a significant positive effect on both yield and water productivity. “The results were quite clear,” said Soudé. “Smart-Valleys management, combined with the right irrigation strategy, can significantly improve rice yields and water productivity.”
Among the irrigation methods tested, Intermittent Irrigation (IR3) yielded the best performance in terms of water productivity. The combination of Smart-Valleys and Low Constant Irrigation (SV-IR2) maximized paddy rice yields, while the combination of Smart-Valleys and Intermittent Irrigation (SV-IR3) optimized water productivity.
These findings highlight the importance of an integrated approach that combines appropriate land management and optimal irrigation strategies. “This is not just about increasing yields,” explained Soudé. “It’s about using water more efficiently, which is crucial in a context of climate variability and increasing water scarcity.”
The economic implications of these findings are substantial. By adopting the right combination of land management and irrigation strategies, rice farmers in the Lower Ouémé Valley and similar regions could see significant improvements in both productivity and profitability. This could have a ripple effect on the local economy, creating jobs and stimulating growth in related sectors.
The research, published in the Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (known in English as the Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences), offers a promising path forward for sustainable water management in rice cultivation. As climate change continues to pose challenges, the insights gained from this study could shape future developments in the field, helping farmers adapt and thrive in an uncertain future.
For the energy sector, this research underscores the importance of water efficiency in agricultural practices. As water becomes an increasingly precious resource, the methods developed by Soudé and his team could serve as a model for other water-intensive industries, promoting sustainable practices that balance productivity with environmental responsibility.