Most farmers in Sierra Leone plant their rice by broadcasting seed randomly into a paddy. They can plant a paddy pretty quickly that way, but they aren’t rewarded with great yields.
Scientists at the Rokupt Research Centre have taught members of a cooperative near Kambia how to plant in straight lines. They first grow out the seeds in a nursery where they can monitor germination. Then they take the seedlings to the paddy.
Using a knotted rope to indicate distance they first mark out the sides. Then they pull the rope lengthwise and plant at the knots. The result is rice in perfect rows.
That makes a big difference in yield and minimizes seed loss due to germination failure. Farmers can walk the rows to inspect the crop and easily weed between rows.
The cooperative planted a paddy at the research station to demonstrate, but also to improve their skills. Already some of the farmers of the coop have begun using the method in their own paddies.
