1. Productivity Enhancement through Up-scaling SRI
Experience in Chhattisgarh
State Level SRI Workshop, May 26, 2011, Chhattisgarh
A one day workshop on ‘Productivity Enhancement through Up-scaling SRI Experience
in Chhattisgarh’ was organised by PRADAN in collaboration with Dept. of Agriculture,
SAMETI (NFSM), Government of Chhattisgarh, and SDTT, Mumbai on May 26, 2011 in
Raipur, Chattisgarh.
During May 2008, PRADAN initiated the SRI method of paddy cultivation in selected
areas of Chhattisgarh through its partner organisations with financial support from Sir
Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). It supported 11 NGOs who together could reach 4600 famers
in 9 districts of Chhattisgarh in last Kharif.
The workshop, third of this kind in Chattisgarh succeeded in bringing together diverse
stakeholders involved in promoting SRI. A total of 250 participants were present at the
workshop.The workshop had the broad objectives of (i) Sharing the experiences by
practicing farmers and researchers from diverse background within and outside state
would ensure better learning; (ii) Knowledge and understanding of the participants on
SRI will be enhanced; (iii) Effective partnership between civil society organisations and
state agencies for effective promotion of SRI in the state; (iv) Up-scaling of promotional
activities of SRI in the state.Honourable Agriculture minister, Mr. Chandrasekhar Sahu
honoured the workshop as the chief guest and APC and Principal Secretary
(Agriculture); Government of Chhattisgarh Mr. D.S.Misra was present as special guest
to chair the concluding session for the focus area and recommendation.Mr. P. Kridatt,
Director Agriculture, Government of Chhattisgarh welcomed the participants and said
that SRI is one of the potential yield enhancing methods. He emphasized that the cross
learning among the participants would help to learn different ways of SRI and
challenges faced. Mr. C. L. Jain, Mission director, NFSM, Chhattisgarh, in his opening
remarks shared that the government is starting demonstration with 15000 families in
this financial year under SRI. He focused on strengthening the existing resources and
ensures proper training on the package of practices to minimise the risks. The Vice
Chancellor, IGKV, Dr. Pandey who was the chair of the inaugural session shared the
engagement of the university in promoting SRI and future prospects of SRI in
Chhattisgarh context.A documentary on SRI practices “Ek Ropa Dhan” produced by
PRADAN which got the Rajat Kamal in 58th National Film Award was screened.
Agriculture Minister, Mr. Chandrashekhar Sahu honored the workshop as chief guest
during the Plenary. In his presence women SHG members from Raigarh and Kanker
district shared their experience in SRI. Honorable minister emphasized that the

2. Chhattisgarh state has huge potential to excel in the area of agriculture and if all the
actors put hand together this potential can be attained in recent future.
Professor Shambu Prasad, XIMB, shared about the experience of building alliance in
different states and the national level consortium and the role of different stake holders
mainly government. He also shared about the potential of application of SRI principles
in other crops like wheat, kidney beans and sugarcane.Mr. Anil Verma from PRADAN,
Bihar shared Experience of SRI in Bihar, with 21000 marginal farmers in Bihar. He
shared about how the programme has brought SRI as theme of practice not only for
paddy but for all crops and being treated as System of Root Intensification in the State
and the proactive role of Government machinery. Now in Bihar the government has
taken SRI promotion as movement called “SRI Kranti”.Scientist Dr. Ajay Verma from
IGKV shared about their research experience on promoting Ambika weeder and other
equipments suitable in Chhattisgarh context and assured the timely supply of the
equipments.
In the session following the presentations, farmers were encouraged to share and
discuss their experiences in SRI paddy cultivation with other workshop participants.
Basant Yadav from Sahbhagi Samaj Sewi Sanstha and Philip Ekka from Karma shared
their experience on promoting SRI on behalf of the 11 NGO partners in the SRI
promotion programme in Chhattisgarh. They emphasized that the government and
other stakeholders need to focus on the indigenous varieties in place of hybrid.
Mr. Saroj Jena from NABARD shared the initiative taken by NABARD, Chhattisgarh
and how it has brought different states experience in Chhattisgarh through exposure
and cross learning meetings. He also shared that the government should focus on
multiple cropping, organic farming, integration with land and water conservation
structures and most importantly to bring more focus on participating women. He
assured the support from NABARD under rural Innovation Fund.Saroj Mahaptra,
PRADAN presented about the achievement of the project supported by SDTT in
Chhattisgarh in partnership with 11 NGOs. The project could reach 4500 farmers. In
2010-11 the SRI farmers average yields was 5.84 MT/ha., highest being 12.02 MT/ha.
Valedictory session was chaired by the Principal Secretary (Agriculture) and APC,
Government of Chattisgarh, Mr. D.S.Mishra, IAS. He appreciated the farmers’
willingness to adopt the new SRI method, PRADAN and the partner NGO’s effort to
make it success and promised fuller cooperation from Government for further
promotion, by ensuring availability of support.Ms. I. Sarangi gave the vote of thanks
expressing happiness on the way the proceedings took place and thanked each and
every one for participating actively in the workshop by sharing their knowledge,
experiences and doubts on SRI. She thanked the resource persons from other states to
share their experience and Organisers for their significant efforts to make the workshop
fruitful.