Promoting System of Rice Intensification in Wayanad

Jithya Danesh

About Wayanad Issues System of Rice Intensification Pros and cons Lessons on scaling MGNREGA Future directions

What I am going to say

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

Wayanad

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

Issues in Wayanad

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

Issues in Wayanad- rice

1980 1990

20002010

Banana in rice fields have depleted the water sources resulting in severe water scarcity,

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

Climate change ?

One seed revolution

Need for alternatives

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

System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

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”.

So SRI for Wayanad

8-14 days old seedlings taken with the mud.Select strongest seedlings from seed bed. Fast transplantation-within 30 minutes without damaging root system

One seedling in one clump, transplanting at 25cm x 25cm. Good soil landing before transplantation

SRI field among other fields: initial week

After one month

After 15 daysAfter transplanting

Emerging tillers

Upto 60 tillers arise from a single hill…!

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

Dry field

Do weeding regularly

Because field is not always submerged in water

Manual weeding or use conoweeder

2-3 times

Weeding

The difference in root establishment

Harvest from1m²

SRI in Gandhakashala observed 2m height

SRI NON-SRI

Plant height 130.29cm 101.57cm

Yield/acre 3042kg 1874kg

No.of tillers 40-80 20-30

Plant/sqm 17 (25cm) 36 (12cm)

Transplanting 12.5 days/acre 10days/acre

Weeding 25 days/acre 12 days/acre

Differences

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

Benefits from SRI

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

Challenges from SRI

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

Lessons on scaling

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.

Involvement of Local Panchayat

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.

MGNREGA

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

Future directions

Thank you