System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

Value Chain:

Rice

Annual Average Rainfall:

to 1000mm

to 1500mm

Soils:

Medium

Heavy

Topography:

Flat to Gentle

Moderate to Rolling

Climatic Zone:

Humid

Sub Humid

Semi Arid

Water Source:

Irrigated

Altitudinal Zone:

100 to 1000m

1000 to 2000m

Decision Making:

Yes

Farming Characteristics:

Commercial SML

Commercial MED

Farm Size:

less than 2ha

2 to 5ha

5 to 10ha

more than 10ha

Mechanisation:

Manual

Animals

Mechanised

Labour Intensity:

Medium Seasonal

High Outside

Initial Investment:

Medium

Maintenance Costs:

Medium

Access to Finance/Credit:

No

Extension Support Required:

Yes

Access to Inputs:

Yes

Access to Markets:

Yes

Gender/Youth Smart:

No

Description:

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an agro-ecological practice for increasing the productivity of irrigated rice cultivation by changing the management of water, plants, soil and nutrients. SRI promotes the growth of root systems, increases the abundance and diversity of soil organisms by keeping the soil moist but not flooded, and provides frequent aeration and conditioning of soil with organic matter. This agro-ecological practice stimulates plant growth by transplanting young seedlings, avoiding disturbance to roots and providing crops with wider spacing to encourage greater root and canopy growth. The agricultural methodology is based on well-founded agro-ecological principles which have been successfully adapted to upland rice and have shown increased productivity over current conventional planting practices.

Technical Application:

To effectively implement SRI practices:

Step 1: Consider separation of high-quality seeds from low-quality seeds through soaking them in plain or salt water and the unviable seeds will float on the surface of the water.
Step 2: Plant the seeds on an unflooded, raised bed with adequate drainage and fertile soil.
Step 3: After 8-12 days, transplant single young seedlings into a grind pattern with wide spacing between hills (25 cm x 25 cm).
Step 4: During crop growth period, control the flooding and research and follow alternate wetting and drying irrigation practices.
Step 5: Consider application of compost and mineral fertiliser for nutrient enhancement.
Step 6: Use a mechanical weeder for the control of weeds and maximisation of soil aeration.

Return on Investment Realisation Period:

Medium

Crop Production:

Positive

Fodder Production:

Positive

Farm Income:

Positive

Household Workload:

Neutral

Food Security:

Positive