System of rice intensification
Also called: SRI · Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The system of rice intensification (SRI) is a way of growing rice that was developed in Madagascar in the 1980s. It uses young seedlings, spaced widely, and waters the field on and off instead of keeping it flooded all the time. This way, rice needs much less water and seed, which matters where groundwater is running out.
Example
In the usual method, older seedlings are planted in close clumps in a flooded field. An SRI farmer instead transplants single young seedlings far apart. They let the field dry between waterings, which cuts both water and seed use.
Don't confuse with
- Direct seeded rice (DSR): sows seed straight into the field with no transplanting. SRI still transplants seedlings, just younger ones and farther apart.
Related concepts
- Traditional knowledge
- Vermicomposting
- Biopest control
- Integrated pest management
- Organic farming
- Organic food
- Natural farming
- Zero budget natural farming
- Conservation agriculture
- Zero tillage