The system of rice intensification or SRI was first introduced in the 1980s in Madagascar in an attempt to synthesise local rice production. It is a stepwise procedure that includes four separate stages: weed management, water management, nursery change management and duration of the plantation. Later in 1990, this method got an overwhelming response from the farmers. Hence, the then Government of India was forced to implement this unique technique in all the metropolitan cities of India. Therefore, rice irrigation became an integrated agro-ecological approach with less water requirement but a high yield of rice. Therefore, it is vital for IAS or UPSC aspirants to know about this topic in-depth.
This article will discuss the System of Rice Intensification in the context of the IAS Exam.
The candidates can go through the relevant topics useful for their upcoming exams from the links provided below:
| Major Crops in India | Major Cropping Seasons in India |
|---|---|
| Crop Diversification | High Yield Crops |
| Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) | National Agricultural Education Policy |
Critical Factors of SRI
- Young seedlings transplant before the growth of the fourth phyllochron starts.
- Reduction of 80% to 90% of plant population per metre square
- Active soil aerations improvement with weeders
- The composition of soil organically improves
- Wetting and drying are the alternative methods that convert paddy soils from flooded, anaerobic conditions
Working Principle of SRI
As part of the system of rice intensification UPSC preparation, aspirants need to know the working principle. SRI is a change in rice production technique where rice plants are given healthy and spacious conditions to grow. This provides shoots of rice plants, commonly known as tillers, to produce heavy panicle grains. The lands where the tillers are placed are densely crowded, while the seedlings are kept in tightly packed nurseries.
Tajikistan is the best place in the world where this principle of rice cultivation is followed strictly. The biologically rich aerobic soils yield broader and deeper root systems, making these plants healthier. Tajikistan is well known for this SRI field’s production, which is capable of resisting pest attacks and even can withstand severe adverse climatic conditions like drought and storms.
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Benefits of SRI
Benefits to the Planet:
- Pressure requirement reduces in converting landscapes and forests into agricultural hubs.
- The ecosystem enhances with systemic regulation of climate, soil and water.
- Methane evolution reduces.
- Safeguard biodiversity from soil and water pollution.
- Planetary health improvement
Benefits of Rural HH:
- High yield of rice production and increment of rice sale from the limited amount of land available for the same
- Increase in income security for farmers as input cost becomes low
- Vulnerability and risks reduction
- Decrease in dependency on pesticides and fertilisers
- Farm health improvement
Benefits for countries:
- The quality of water and soil increases due to a lack of fertilisers and pesticides usage, thus reducing nitrogen loads.
- Public health improvement
- Improvement in food security for the citizens
- The GDP of the country improves due to the budget-friendly SRI technique.
- Concepts of fertiliser subsidies and food imports wipe off.
Across the globe, the SRI’s economic viability has been experienced and tested by Government and non-governmental agencies. The success of this technique has already led to the adaptation of this cultivation for other crops like wheat and sugarcane. Marginal farmers with small land hold wholeheartedly accepted this SRI method for high productivity. By 2030 it is assumed that SRI will reach its peak in terms of output and coverage over the globe.
The Government of various countries has already started new policies for SRI so that they can reach poor farmers in rainfed areas. CBOs are in charge of these policies as most of them believe that SRI has already created a drastic change in the agriculture sector, but it has a long way to go.
Furthermore, candidates can learn more about the detailed UPSC Syllabus and exam pattern for the preliminary and mains phase of the examination in the linked article. Analysing the syllabus will help candidates accordingly schedule a study plan.
Also, all government exam aspirants can check the best Preparation Strategy for Competitive Exams in the linked article.
Frequently Asked Questions on System of Rice Intensification
Who is the pioneer of the SRI methodology?
Father Henri is the pioneer of the SRI methodology. He started using this in the early 1980s in Madagascar.
Name two states of India where SRI has a high success rate.
Quite a few states in India have been successfully using SRI. Andhra Pradesh and Assam are two such states.
Who introduced the SRI system in India?
Debashish Sen introduced the System of Rice Intensification to farmers. He mainly involved farmers of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Which financial institutes are highly involved with SRI?
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) are two prominent names in this regard. The headquarters of NABARD is in Mumbai.
Which agency promoted SRI in Bihar?
Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (BRLPS) promotes SRI in Bihar. The agency works under the Department of Rural Development.
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