Promoting Development of Economically Viable Rubber Smallholdings in West Africa

Published on 10 November 2010

Research Areas

Agrobiodiversity, Crops, Forestry & Agroforestry, Market Access, Seed Systems

Countries

Nigeria

Timeline

Start Date: 19 June 2009 | End Date: 18 June 2013

Overview

The main objective of the project is to enhance economically viable rubber cultivation in smallholdings through:- planting of good quality planting materials of high yielding clones; reduction of immaturity period; successful integration of high value arable crops with rubber thus providing sustainable income for smallholder during the immature phase; and diversification of income base and integrating high value agro-forestry tree crops and medicinal plants in rubber farming systems during the mature phase.

The project shall comprise of the following components and activities to be undertaken by the Rubber Institute of Nigeria (RRIN).

Component 1: Production and distribution of planting materials of high yielding rubber clones from the Central Nursery located at (RRIN).

Objective: To produce sufficient quality planting materials of high yielding rubber clones to meet requirements of farmers for replanting and new planting over the next 4 years.

Outputs: Upgraded RRIN central nursery with required infrastructure. Adoption of best agronomic practices; adequate bud stick up production of selected high yielding clones in bud wood gardens to meet production target and reduced cost of production of budded stump through improved efficiency and high productivity.

Component 2: To establish Model Smallholder farms in four traditional rubber growing states of Southern Nigeria and in a non-traditional state with integration of high value economic crops during the immature phase.

Objective: To demonstrate that high value arable crops can be successfully integrated with rubber thus providing sustainable income for the farmer during the immature phase.

Outputs: Model farms established in Edo, Delta, Cross river, Ogun or Akwa/bom states (traditional rubber zone) and Kaduna (non- traditional); schedule of agronomic inputs with regard to fertilization, pest and disease management and pruning practices to be carried out annually in all model farm; harvesting of high value arable crops, records of harvest and income received from sale; annual growth increment data of young rubber trees and model farms as demonstration centres.

Component 3: Enhancing the incomes of rubber smallholders in the traditional rubber growing states of Edo, delta, Cross River, Ogun or Akwa/bom.

Objective: Demonstrate diversification of income base through integration of non-rubber farming activities during mature phase in model farms.

Outputs: Successful integration of shade tolerant medicinal/herbal plants and mini livestock under mature rubber; increased yeild per year from rubber; achievement of better farm gate price for value addition activity and realization of higher income by farmers from diversified activities.

Component 4: Establishing rubber based agro-forestry farming systems in abandoned traditional rubber area (Otua) Nigeria.

Objective: To demonstrate successful integration of high value agro-forestry tree crops and medicinal plants in rubber based farming systems through modified planting system in model farms.

Outputs: Production of planting materials of domesticated high value agro-forestry tree crops; peripheral planting of bush mango (Irvengia gabonesis), bitter cola (Garcinia Kola), Cola nuts (Cola acucuminae), African Plum (Dacryodis edulis) and Allanblackia floribunda; planting of cassava, pineapple, cocoyam, maize and melon in the interrows during the first three years of the immature phase. Model farms as demonstration centres for information dissemination.

Component 5: Training of Extension Officers and participatory training programs for smallholders on various technologies to smallholders.

Objective: To enhance effectiveness of extension officers through capacity building for successful transfer of relevant technology to smallholders.

Outputs: Implementation of training programs on: nursery practices, agronomic practices, during immature phase, management of pests and diseases, exploitation systems and value addition of rubber; agro-forestry crops, cash crops suitable for integration with rubber and high value medicinal/herbal plants; relevant technologies at various sites by extension officers of RRIN and resource persons from the provate sector. Implementation of Workshops on major diseases and rubber effluent management by International experts in respective fields and formation of an industry-RRIN consultative committee and a National trabsfer if technology commitee.

Component 6: Dissemination

Objective: To promote uptake of project results throughout Africa.

Outputs: Reports on best practices and success stories; dissemination workshop and creation of a website where project results and experiences can be accessed.

Research Partners

• ARI - Advanced Research Institute
• Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN)

Tags

Agroforestry, Capacity building, Income, Rubber