The Mangrove Swamp Rice Production System of Guinea Bissau: Identification of the Main Constraints Associated with Soil Salinity and Rainfall Variability

Abstract

Mangrove swamp rice production (MSRP) refers to rice cultivation in former mangrove soils that have been anthropogenically modified for food production. The method utilizes the largest possible storage of fresh water to desalinate the soils and make them productive. However, temporal variability in rainfall patterns causes loss of efficiency in production, impacting crop growth and reducing productivity. To improve MSRP, it is necessary to identify the primary constraints associated with salinity, enhancing and maximizing freshwater storage efficiency and water productivity. This study provides a general description of the MSRP system in both the northern and southern regions of Guinea-Bissau, aiming at the identification of the main water management limitations. The description involves the use of typologies and the identification of zones with specific characteristics within the paddies. Furthermore, this review includes an analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of soils in relation to salinity issues, descriptions of agronomic management, rice varieties, and the significance of managing dikes and bunds to improve mangrove swamp rice water management. This study shows how the MSRPS is characterized by dynamism and complexity, involving a wide range of constraints associated with salinity features, cultural influences, and microclimatic conditions that are subject to temporal variations.