Taking roots: experiences with system of rice intensification in Andhra Pradesh - a report by Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN)

This document by Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN) deals with experiences with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Andhra Pradesh. The innovative system of growing rice SRI, with less water was initiated in the state of Andhra Pradesh drawing lessons from the experiences of the farmers in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and in Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In the state, the progressive farmers, NGOs, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and the State Department of Agriculture took active role in promoting this model of rice cultivation. 

Some of the key experiences include –

• The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) demonstrated that by changing the soil, water and nutrient management the yields in rice can be increased by about 25 or more while reducing water requirements by an equivalent percent. This gives farmers incentive to experiment with SRI method, which also reduces the cost of production and increases their net income per ha by even more than yield. This benefit to the farmer is more than the contribution of increased yields (Satyanarayana, et al 2006). 
• SRI is not just another set of package of practices but a whole paradigm shift in the way rice cultivation is understood and practiced. While the technology was adopted as a way out for the irrigation water crisis, the fundamental contradictions between rice cultivation by impounding water and SRI method with intermittent irrigation continue.
• University and extension system promoted SRI through demonstrations and subsidy inputs like free markers and weeders. The mainstream thus did not emphasise the paradigm shift. SRI system, which is based on sound ecological and agronomic principles not only reduces water utilization by about 40 % but also the seed rate to 2 kg/ acre.
• SRI for the first time after Green revolution has brought in several innovations from farmers into mainstream agriculture.
• SRI also clearly demonstrates the biological potential of the plant and the soil for higher yields, under suitable conditions. The initial experiences show SRI is best suited for organic production systems. 
• SRI is yet another case of technology developing from the diverse experiences of the farming community. In this instance farmer’s practice preceded formal research. The formal research system is still skeptic about SRI method and their results are not very encouraging as the same old reductionistic framework is followed.
• While farmers and NGOs are very excited about the new method and are adopting SRI, there are equal numbers of farmers who are discontinuing SRI. This calls for a critical look into the experiences of SRI. SRI is suitable for certain conditions and the successful initiatives need to be 

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