promoting system of rice intensification (sri) in wayanad, kerala
DESCRIPTION
A presentation on Promoting System fo Rice Intensification (SRI) in Wayanad, Kerala, India by Jithya Danesh, RASTA. The presentation was made on August 24, 2012 at a colloquium on Citizen Voices in Environmental Governance conducted by Public Affairs Centre in Bangalore, India.TRANSCRIPT
Promoting System of Rice Intensification in Wayanad
Jithya Danesh
About Wayanad Issues System of Rice Intensification Pros and cons Lessons on scaling MGNREGA Future directions
What I am going to say
The land of rice paddies- ‘wayal nadu’ Intermingled hills and valleys with
rainfed agriculture 35% forest cover One of the 150 most backward districts Tribal population is 17.5% Ranked in 25 eco-hotspots in the world Avg. height of 3000 feet Rainfall- 3000mm Paddy- integral part of culture of natives-
Kurichyas, Kurumas, Chetties
Wayanad
Deforestation since the time of migrants Change in cropping pattern- Cash crops Falling productivity of soil Farmer suicides due to crop failure Increasing health issues among women and
children Environmental issues External dependence on food items Low purchase power Threats from real estate mafia Rice, coffee, black pepper major crops- affected
by monsoon
Issues in Wayanad
During 1970’s, paddy grown in 40000 hectares, now less than 9000 hectares
Shrinking wetlands Misuse of wetlands 55 Traditional rice varieties vanished Lack of food security and labour security for
Indigenous communities Jobless women- lost 27 working days per acre per
season Low productivity and high labour costs Area under rice replaced by banana
Issues in Wayanad- rice
1980 1990
20002010
Banana in rice fields have depleted the water sources resulting in severe water scarcity,
Change in seasons-agricultural crops Water scarcity becoming severe Floods and droughts- frequent
Deficiency in rain- by 64% in the period from June 1 to July 11 this year
Climate change ?
One seed revolution
Need for alternatives
Developed by Father Henri de Laulanie, who studied various rice growing practices in Madagascar
In Wayanad, Field trials with 27 farmers- promising results
It can double the production of paddy per hectare by using 5% seeds, 50% of water, 50% of manure and 80% of labour.
◦ Transplantation: 2 week old seedlings ◦ Plant in equal distance of 30cm x 30cm or 25cm x 25cm◦ Timely Water management
System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
SRI will serve as a better option for areas deficient of water and where rice is a major crop. SRI is found to be managing the soil, water and plant in a balanced ecosystem
This technique is gaining popularity and giving promising results to the farmers
There are many visible changes in adaptation which can render more possibilities to the rice growers of this “Wayal nadu”.
So SRI for Wayanad
8-14 days old seedlings taken with the mud.Select strongest seedlings from seed bed. Fast transplantation-within 30 minutes without damaging root system
One seedling in one clump, transplanting at 25cm x 25cm. Good soil landing before transplantation
SRI field among other fields: initial week
After one month
After 15 daysAfter transplanting
Emerging tillers
Upto 60 tillers arise from a single hill…!
Water management is
crucial in SRI. Except in
swampy fields, the fields are
flooded in the morning and
drained in the evening. Water
is allowed to remain in the fields for few
hours only
Dry field
Do weeding regularly
Because field is not always submerged in water
Manual weeding or use conoweeder
2-3 times
Weeding
The difference in root establishment
Harvest from1m²
SRI in Gandhakashala observed 2m height
SRI NON-SRI
Plant height 130.29cm 101.57cm
Yield/acre 3042kg 1874kg
No.of tillers 40-80 20-30
Plant/sqm 17 (25cm) 36 (12cm)
Transplanting 12.5 days/acre 10days/acre
Weeding 25 days/acre 12 days/acre
Differences
Increased yields (upto 8750Kg/acre) 40% to 110% Increased factor productivity (land, labour, water, seeds)-
sustainable Water requirement can be reduced by half More farmers can share available water Higher profits (5000 to 8000 INR more) 75% to 240% Seed cost very low Positive environmental side effects Maintenance of greater agrobiodiversity Mitigating climate change by reduced water storage With more spacing more resistance to abiotic stress
Benefits from SRI
Increased labour requirement for weeding, transplanting and water management
More weeds in summer (Dec- May) Non-availability of water control measures Greater skills required Low adaptation
Challenges from SRI
Results were shared amongst farmers as well as expert groups- well appreciated
Master farmers- as extentionists- more areas covered
Local Panchayat impressed- wanted to replicate
Lessons from elsewhere shows good results- Tamilnadu, Andra pradesh. Countries such as Thailand, SriLanka, Cambodia very successful
Lessons on scaling
Kaniyambetta Panchayat decided to cultivate in 10 acre
20 farmers selected Rs.3000/ acre/person In joint hands with Agriculture Department Deepening democracy at the grassroots by
strengthening PRIs In NREGA- The order of priority of works will
be determined within the Grama Panchayat.
Involvement of Local Panchayat
In the new proposed guidelines by Mihir Shah Committee, (Feb 2012) in additional list of permissible works under the MGNREGA, under the agricultural related works, SRI (System of Rice Intensification) is mentioned.
The guidelines states that each farmer (qualifying for support under MGNREGA) willing to try out SRI will be eligible for 8 person-days of work per acre for one-time transplantation, 2 person-days of work per acre for weeding at 10 to 15 days after transplantation and 2 person-days of work per acre for weeding at 20 to 30 days after transplantation.
MGNREGA
Potential political responses- linking of short term and long tem policy targets to ensure incremental progress
Societal reach- fundamental change required- Govt. leadership role, incentives
Scientific uncertainty- educate decision makers and public
Future directions
Thank you