What future for integrated rice–vegetable production systems in West African lowlands?

In this paper we present a framework for the analysis of integrated rice–vegetable production systems in West African lowlands. The framework is built around the proposition that to gain the benefits of rice–vegetable interaction, integration can take place to varying degrees along three dimensions: space, time and management. Three examples of rice–vegetable integration are then explored in the light of this framework. These examples illustrate varying degrees of spatial and management integration, but little temporal integration. Temporal integration is constrained in large part by the limited degree of water control found in most West African lowlands. Research, policy and development implications are then explored. A major conclusion is that in the short-term integrated rice–vegetable production is unlikely to be an important part of a pro-poor development agenda.