System of Rice Intensification: Difference between revisions
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Proponents and critics of SRI debate the claimed benefits and many questions about it remain unresolved.<ref>[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919211000959 Science, practice and the System of Rice Intensification in Indian agriculture] in |
Proponents and critics of SRI debate the claimed benefits and many questions about it remain unresolved.<ref>[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919211000959 Science, practice and the System of Rice Intensification in Indian agriculture] in |
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[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/food-policy/ Food Policy], Volume 36, Issue 6, December 2011, Pages 749–755</ref> |
[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/food-policy/ Food Policy], Volume 36, Issue 6, December 2011, Pages 749–755</ref> [[Wageningen University]] has also published an article discussing the challenges of evaluating SRI in which one concluding sentence read: "Although the technical aspects of SRI have been contested, it clearly exists as a real social phenomenon".<ref>[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1573521410000734 The System of Rice Intensification: Time for an empirical turn] by D.Glover in NJAS - [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15735214 Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences] Volume 57, Issues 3–4, February 2011, Pages 217–224</ref> |
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The question at hand seems to be: is SRI better at delivering increased yield and other benefits to rice farmers, such as healthier soils, when compared with established recommended [http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/rice.htm best management practices for rice production]. |
The question at hand seems to be: is SRI better at delivering increased yield and other benefits to rice farmers, such as healthier soils, when compared with established recommended [http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/rice.htm best management practices for rice production]. |
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===Criticism=== |
===Criticism=== |
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The productivity of SRI is under debate between supporters and critics of the system. Critics of SRI suggest that claims of yield increase in SRI are due to unscientific evaluations. They object that there is a lack of details on the methodology used in trials and a lack of publications in the peer-reviewed literature.<ref>[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378429005001152 Does the system of rice intensification outperform conventional best management?: A synopsis of the empirical record] by A.J. McDonald, P.R. Hobbs, S.J. Rihaa in [http://www.journals.elsevier.com/field-crops-research/ Field Crops Research], Volume 96, Issue 1, 15 March 2006, Pages 31–36 </ref><ref>[http://www.mendeley.com/research/stubborn-facts-still-evidence-system-rice-intensification-outyields-best-management-practices-bmps-beyond-madagascar/ Field Crops Research Stubborn facts: Still no evidence that the System of Rice Intensification out-yields best management practices (BMPs) beyond Madagascar] by A J Mcdonald, P R Hobbs, S J Riha in [http://www.journals.elsevier.com/field-crops-research/ Field Crops Research], Volume: 108, Issue: 2, 2008, Pages: 188-191</ref> Some critics have suggested that SRI success is unique to soil conditions in Madagascar.<ref>Christopher Surridge. [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v428/n6981/full/428360a.html Rice cultivation: Feast or famine?] ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'' 428, 360–361 (25 March 2004). {{doi|10.1038/428360a}}</ref> |
The productivity of SRI is under debate between supporters and critics of the system. Critics of SRI suggest that claims of yield increase in SRI are due to unscientific evaluations. They object that there is a lack of details on the methodology used in trials and a lack of publications in the peer-reviewed literature.<ref>[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378429005001152 Does the system of rice intensification outperform conventional best management?: A synopsis of the empirical record] by A.J. McDonald, P.R. Hobbs, S.J. Rihaa in [http://www.journals.elsevier.com/field-crops-research/ Field Crops Research], Volume 96, Issue 1, 15 March 2006, Pages 31–36 </ref><ref>[http://www.mendeley.com/research/stubborn-facts-still-evidence-system-rice-intensification-outyields-best-management-practices-bmps-beyond-madagascar/ Field Crops Research Stubborn facts: Still no evidence that the System of Rice Intensification out-yields best management practices (BMPs) beyond Madagascar] by A J Mcdonald, P R Hobbs, S J Riha in [http://www.journals.elsevier.com/field-crops-research/ Field Crops Research], Volume: 108, Issue: 2, 2008, Pages: 188-191</ref> Some critics have suggested that SRI success is unique to soil conditions in Madagascar.<ref>Christopher Surridge. [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v428/n6981/full/428360a.html Rice cultivation: Feast or famine?] ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'' 428, 360–361 (25 March 2004). {{doi|10.1038/428360a}}</ref> |
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==SRI picture gallery== |
==SRI picture gallery== |
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Revision as of 04:22, 13 August 2013
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The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a methodology aimed at increasing the yield of rice produced in farming. It was developed in 1983 by the French Jesuit Father Henri de Laulanié in Madagascar.[1] However full testing of the system did not occur until some years later.
History and main ideas of SRI
Assembly of the practices that culminated in SRI began in the 1960s based on Fr. de Laulanie's observations. Principles included applying a minimum quantity of water and the individual transplanting of very young seedlings in a square pattern.[1]
SRI concepts and practices have continued to evolve as they are being adapted to rain-fed (unirrigated) conditions and with transplanting being superseded by direct-seeding sometimes. The central principles of SRI according to Cornell University are:[2]
- rice field soils should be kept moist rather than continuously saturated, minimizing anaerobic conditions, as this improves root growth and supports the growth and diversity of aerobic soil organisms;
- rice plants should be planted singly and spaced optimally widely to permit more growth of roots and canopy and to keep all leaves photosynthetically active; and
- rice seedlings should be transplanted when young, less than 15 days old with just two leaves, quickly, shallow and carefully, to avoid trauma to roots and to minimize transplant shock.
Spread of SRI
The spread of SRI from Madagascar to around the globe has been credited to Norman Uphoff, director of the International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York from 1990 to 2005. In 1993, Uphoff met officials from Association Tefy Saina, the non-governmental organisation set up in Madagascar in 1990 by de Laulanie to promote SRI. After seeing the success of SRI for three years when Malagasy farmers previously averaging 2 tons/hectare averaged 8 tons/hectare with SRI, Uphoff became persuaded of the merits of the system, and in 1997 started to promote SRI in Asia. Uphoff estimates that by 2013 the number of small farmers using SRI had grown to between 4 and 5 million.[3]
Evaluating SRI
Proponents and critics of SRI debate the claimed benefits and many questions about it remain unresolved.[4] Wageningen University has also published an article discussing the challenges of evaluating SRI in which one concluding sentence read: "Although the technical aspects of SRI have been contested, it clearly exists as a real social phenomenon".[5]
The question at hand seems to be: is SRI better at delivering increased yield and other benefits to rice farmers, such as healthier soils, when compared with established recommended best management practices for rice production.
Cases of success
Proponents of SRI claim its use increases yield, saves water, reduces production costs, and increases income and that benefits have been achieved in 40 countries.[6] Uphoff published an article in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability that states that SRI "can raise irrigated rice yields to about double the present world average without relying on external inputs, also offering environmental and equity benefits."[7]
A special issue on SRI in the scientific journal Paddy and Water Environment collected recent findings in support of SRI.[8]
In 2011 a young farmer named Sumant Kumar set a new world record in rice production of 22.4 tons per hectare using SRI, beating the existing world record held by the Chinese scientist Yuan Longping by 3 tons. [9][10][11]
Criticism
The productivity of SRI is under debate between supporters and critics of the system. Critics of SRI suggest that claims of yield increase in SRI are due to unscientific evaluations. They object that there is a lack of details on the methodology used in trials and a lack of publications in the peer-reviewed literature.[12][13] Some critics have suggested that SRI success is unique to soil conditions in Madagascar.[14]
SRI picture gallery
Below is a picture gallery of SRI farming in Chhattisgarh, India:
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Planted field
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Rice field -
Nursery
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Fields left almost dry
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SRI field -
Farmer -
Crop with weeds -
Weeding -
Weeding -
Weeding -
Weeding
See Also
References
- ^ a b Intensive Rice Farming in Madagascar by H. De Laulanié, in Tropicultura, 2011, 29, 3, 183-187
- ^ Cornell University, System of Rice Intensification
- ^ Vidal, John. "India's rice revolution". The Observer. The Gardian. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ Science, practice and the System of Rice Intensification in Indian agriculture in Food Policy, Volume 36, Issue 6, December 2011, Pages 749–755
- ^ The System of Rice Intensification: Time for an empirical turn by D.Glover in NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences Volume 57, Issues 3–4, February 2011, Pages 217–224
- ^ More rice for people, more water for planet: System of Rice Intensification (SRI) by Africare, Oxfam and WWF.
- ^ Higher yields with fewer external inputs? The System of Rice Intensification and potential contributions to agricultural sustainability, in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, Volume 1, Issue 11, 2003
- ^ Paddy and Water Environment, Vol. 9 No. 1, March 2011, Springer
- ^ Piras, Nicola. "New record in Bihar thanks to SRI". Agri Cultures Network. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ Chang, Gordon G. "Rice Production Records Set with New Method". World Affairs Journal. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ Vidal, John. "India's rice revolution". The Observer. The Gardian. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ Does the system of rice intensification outperform conventional best management?: A synopsis of the empirical record by A.J. McDonald, P.R. Hobbs, S.J. Rihaa in Field Crops Research, Volume 96, Issue 1, 15 March 2006, Pages 31–36
- ^ Field Crops Research Stubborn facts: Still no evidence that the System of Rice Intensification out-yields best management practices (BMPs) beyond Madagascar by A J Mcdonald, P R Hobbs, S J Riha in Field Crops Research, Volume: 108, Issue: 2, 2008, Pages: 188-191
- ^ Christopher Surridge. Rice cultivation: Feast or famine? Nature 428, 360–361 (25 March 2004). doi:10.1038/428360a
External links
- SRI at Cornell University
- SRI information from the International Rice Research Institute
- Rice Knowledge Bank: best management practices for rice production
- Krishi Usha low-cost weeder developed by Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra and Usha Martin Limited, Jharkhand
- Article on SRI from Nature
- News article on SRI from the BBC
- SRI: Achieving More with Less - A new way of rice cultivation from the World Bank Institute