The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an alternative to the traditional way of flooded rice cultivation. Studies carried out by Tamil Nadu Agricutural University (TNAU) in 100 locations have indicated 32 per cent water savings.Highlights of SRI, based on a 5000 ha trial in Tamil Nadu:
- Water management that keeps the soil moist but not continuously flooded — alternate wetting and drying.
- Careful transplanting of 14-day young seedlings at wider spacing (23x23cm) on a square with only one seedling per hill.
- Mechanical weeding through rotary weeder before canopy closure.
- Higher use of organic compost as fertiliser.
In addition to lower water usage, here are the other benefits:
- Lower seed cost of just 8 kg/ha against the conventional practice of 30-60 kg/ha.
- More judicious use of fertiliser and pesticides.
Examples of farmers in Tamil Nadu who have benefitted from trying SRI:
- Mr K. Shanmugam raised SRI paddy in Mahibalanpatti in the dry Sivaganga district, harvested 8,750 kg/ha compared to 4,750 kg/ha in the previous year.
- Mr C. Ravi of Pallathathanur of Salem district realised a yield of 9,633 kg/ha using the SRI method compared to 6,483 kg/ha.
- Mrs Vijaylakshmi of Villupuram, increased her cropped area by 40 per cent with the same quantity of water.
Field studies indicate that the resultant decrease in inputs such as seed and chemicals, combined with improved yields, leads to an average increase in net income by Rs 12,719/ha, a 100 per cent increase over the conventional cultivation method.
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