Sawah technology in rice production is a part of the green revolution package of what is known as high-yielding crop varieties (HYVs), such as wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, and potatoes. Sawah is a “bunded, puddled and levelled field with inlet and outlet for irrigation and drainage”. According to researchers, the Sawah rice farming system is the solution to the green revolution in Nigeria and West Africa.
In Ogun State, the government partnered with the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanism (NCAM), to commence the harvest of mechanically cultivated rice using the SAWAH Eco-Technology for Rice Farming (SERIF). This is a part of Climate-Smart Agriculture which enable farmers to integrate technology with the agricultural inputs and resources they have.
When SAWAH technology is used, it results in maximum yields and profits in rice farming. It teaches the efficient use of water and fertilizer. Researchers say that the Sawah eco-technology increases yield up to 5t/hm2. It also suppresses weed growth and enhances the immune mechanism of rice through supply of nutrients.
Factors to consider in adopting the system include sex, age, educational level, farm size, yield and income of the farmers. Currently, the system is practiced mainly in Kebbi State and can be adopted in more rice-producing states.
