Stakeholder’s perception on rice production constraints and challenges in Faranah prefecture, Republic of Guinea

Abstract

Rice occupies a special place in West African food systems. It differs from other basic foodstuffs in the rapid growth of its consumption and the resulting increased dependence on the global market. Imports represent on average half of the consumption of rice over the past two decades. This cereal has become a major issue in the formulation of food policies in Guinea. This research focused on qualitative data collected by using participatory approaches. Historical profile, map of area, polarization diagram, Venn diagram, Semi structured interview (ISS), Transect, Seasonal calendar, Life line, polarization grid, analysis grid of constraints, and pyramid of the constraints were tools engaged. This research was carried out to list and analyze all the constraints related to rice growing and its rise in Faranah prefecture from the perspectives of different stakeholders engaged in rice production. Specifically it aimed to identify the main constraints and challenges related to rice production, analyze these constraints and challenges in terms of profitability and income of rice actors and propose solutions to improve rice production and income of farmers. The research is based on a logical framework that would make rice production a national goal to address all food and income issues that can significantly impact the lives of stakeholders. Rice production has so far been source of major weaknesses reported such as: the  low arable land development, excessive land poverty, traditional land management, inadequate agricultural equipment, tense relationship between farmers and herders, low use of inputs, inaccessibility to certain production areas, low agricultural credit system, inefficient rice market, as well as scarcity of local and external labor. Proposed solutions were: to provide effort to develop all arable lands, bringing aid to producers, regulating the operation of the hillsides and allowing the great land reform in the wishes of farmers.

Keywords: Stakeholders perception, Rice production constraints, Development, Rice production framework