Assessing Biotic and Abiotic Constraints to Upland Rice Cultivation in Cameroon

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the major biotic and abiotic production constraints of upland rice varieties in the three rice development hubs of Cameroon. Fifty randomly selected farmers from each rice hub namely Ndop, Lagdo and Mbam were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. On-farm visits and group discussions with other rice farmers were used to substantiate information obtained from the individually interviewed farmers. It was observed that NERICA 3 and NERICA 8 were the dominant varieties widely cultivated by farmers with an average productivity of <1.0 t/ha. Birds, weeds, low soil fertility, disease and drought were the main culprits limiting upland rice production. The contribution of these constraints to total yield loss varied significantly (p<0.05) across the rice hubs and ranged from 10% to 40%. Several agronomic, chemical and physical control measures were used by farmers to address these constraints but the most innovative strategy was the use of plastic hawks to mimic normal hawks that are predators to birds. It is recommended that researcher-farmer trials should be conducted to facilitate the effective transfer of upland rice technology to farmers, particularly with respect to variety use, fertilizer application and harvesting time. This will undoubtedly facilitate adoption of upland rice technology and hence boost rice production in Cameroon.