Les Perceptions Des Riziculteurs Sur Les Contraintes De Rendement Du Riz Dans Les Conditions Agro-Ecologiques Des Périmètres Irrigués Insécurisés De La Plaine De La Ruzizi

Purpose: The rice cultivation in the Ruzizi plain is an essential economic pillar, but it faces numerous challenges, particularly persistent insecurity in the irrigated areas. The objective of the study is to analyze the perceptions of rice farmers regarding the challenges hindering rice yields in the Ruzizi plain. Methodology: The methodology employed is probabilistic sampling, specifically simple random sampling, involving 196 rice farmers distributed across three strategic irrigated areas (Luberizi, Sange, and Kiliba). Findings: This study highlights a plethora of major constraints that suffocate the efforts of rice farmers. Among these constraints, we can mention the lack of access to credit, persistent insecurity characterized by kidnappings and violence, archaic agricultural practices (such as late transplanting and high density per hill), proliferation of weeds, plant diseases, and pests, degradation of irrigation infrastructure, lack of access to quality agricultural inputs, and the use of less resistant rice varieties, all of which negatively impact rice yields. The socio-economic repercussions of insecurity in these irrigated areas are manifested by a significant decrease in agricultural and economic incomes, forced migration of rice farmers to safer areas, as well as disruption of production cycles, which weakens socio-cultural structures and generates intercommunity tensions. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Improving rice yields would require the pacification of irrigated areas, modernization of agricultural practices, and promoting sustainable development in rice cultivation to enhance the resilience of local communities.