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.
2. About Wayanad
Issues
System of Rice Intensification
Pros and cons
Lessons on scaling
MGNREGA
Future directions
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 1980 1990
2010 2000
Banana in rice fields have
depleted the water sources
resulting in severe water scarcity,
7. 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
9. 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
10. 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”.
11. 8-14 days old seedlings taken with the mud.
Select strongest seedlings from seed bed. Fast
transplantation-within 30 minutes without
damaging root system
12. One seedling in one clump, transplanting at
25cm x 25cm. Good soil landing before
transplantation
16. Dry field
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
17. Do weeding
regularly
Because field is not
always submerged
in water
Manual weeding or
use conoweeder
2-3 times
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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
Rice Paddy to banana :Impact on Women and Tribal CommunitiesWomen lost 15,50,000 labour days per season.Banana offers no labour opportunities for women.Food security of the poor communities affected.High use of toxic chemicals in banana fields contaminated water sources as well as creating health hazards among women and children(Rice can hold water for 90 days in the Field).