System of Rice Intensification
Also called: SRI · Topic: Land Use, Farming Systems and Cropping Seasons in India · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a way of growing rice that was developed in Madagascar in the 1980s. Farmers transplant very young seedlings one at a time and space them widely apart. Instead of keeping the field flooded, they water it on and off (intermittent irrigation), and they use organic manure. This helps roots grow strong, so farmers get good yields with less water and less seed.
Example
In India, SRI has been adopted in Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Bihar. Rice farmers there save water and seed compared with the usual flooded transplanting.
Don't confuse with
- Direct-seeded rice (DSR): seed is sown straight into the field, with no transplanting at all. SRI still transplants seedlings, but young, single and widely spaced.
Related concepts
- Rice-wheat cropping system
- NPK ratio imbalance
- Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act 2009
- Direct seeded rice
- Zero tillage
- Crop diversification
- Organic farming
- Sikkim organic state
- Natural farming
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana