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System of Rice Intensification
The
System of Rice Intensification, known as SRI method, is gaining
popularity among paddy farmers in several states in the country in
recent times for its potential to improve productivity of land,
capital, water and labour simultaneously. This system developed in
Madagascar in the 1980s has since 1999 been tried out successfully in
25 countries across the world providing farmers with increased options.
SRI is a system of growing rice that involves principles that are at
times radically different from the traditional ways of growing rice.
It involves single and young seedlings transplantation with
care instead
of conventional method of multiple and mature seedlings from the
nursery. SRI spaces rice plants more widely and does not depend on
continuous flooding of rice fields. It uses lesser seed, chemical
inputs and promotes soil biotic activities in and around plant roots,
enhanced through liberal applications of compost and weeding with a
rotating hoe that aerates the soil.
These changed practices with lower inputs counter-intuitively lead to improved productivity with yields of 7-8 tonnes/hectare (t/ha), about double the present world average of 3.8 t/ha.
A Paradigm Shift
Thus, SRI is more than a package of practices and represents a paradigm shift in that the way the crop production is understood and practiced based on the biological potential.
Many research institutes and universities across the country have also started conducting trials on various aspects of SRI method. There seems to be quite a range of experiences ranging from bad to good to very good among farmers and scientists. However, there is no space now where they can meet and share the experiences. Regular dialogue among SRI researchers, farmers and civil society will help cross sharing and learning.
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