Comparison Between Two Rice Cultivation Practices in Sierra Leone: Traditional and Alternative Methods

In Bombali district, located in Sierra Leone, a comparison between the traditional cultivating method (manual) and an alternative method consisting of ploughing and harrowing was fulfilled in experimental tests to analyze the respective benefits. The alternative method resulted being feasible; thanks to reduced mechanization (tractor, plough and harrow) and modern agronomic practices locally introduced. The methods were applied to rice and intercrops cultivation and resulted in yields (+6.4%) and farmers workload (-6.0%) improvements in the alternative method. However, the traditional one still reaches higher economic profits (+96.5%) due the lower costs, in particular of the broadcasting sowing solution.