System of Rice Intensification – Method of Organic Rice Cultivation

The paddy field at Beforest’s Hyderabad Farming Collective

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a farming methodology that uses a subset of practices aimed at improving the yield of rice produced in farming. It is a low-water, labour-intensive method that uses younger seedlings singly spaced and typically hand-weeded with special tools. It involves timely weeding in small plots (often less than one acre), transplanting one seedling per hill, carefully managing water saturation levels and maintaining low plant density. This method has been shown to significantly increase yields per acre while reducing the amount of water, labor and expense required to produce the crop.

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation is Characterised by

• Cultivation of rice with as much organic manure as possible. 
• Planting young at a wider spacing, in a square pattern. 
• Intermittent irrigation keep to keep the soil moist but not over-watered 
• Frequent inter-cultivation with a weeder to aerates the soil.

SRI method is not a standardised, fixed technological method. It is rather a set of ideas for comprehensively managing and conserving resources by changing the way that land, seeds, water, nutrients, and human labour are used to increase productivity from a small, but well-tended number of seeds. SRI is essentially an amalgamation of multiple beneficial practices.

Principles of SRI Method
SRI methodology is based on four main principles that interact with each other.

1. Quick and Healthy Plant Establishment

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation – Rice saplings ready to be transplanted into the paddy field

Plant establishment in SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method of rice cultivation is the process of establishing well-distributed, healthy and vigorous plants for a higher yield. The method involves transplanting single or minimum number of seedlings of 10-20 days old on well-prepared, weed-free nursery beds at a good amount of spacing in shallow water or dry soil using tools such as dibbling sticks and wooden bars. Proper irrigation and fertilizer management helps to sustain the plants till harvest.

2. Reduced Plant Density

Reduced plant density in SRI method is established by cultivating fewer plants per unit area. It allows the plants to take advantage of the interactions between themselves and their environments in order to promote higher yields, better quality, and increased water-use efficiency. The wider spacing also allows the plants to get more sunlight, increase root development and reduce disease and pest problems. By reducing the plant density, SRI farmers can increase the size of their crop without having to resort to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thereby improving overall sustainability.

Transplanting rice saplings into the paddy field at the Hyderabad Farming Collective

3. Improving Soil Conditions

The SRI method of rice cultivation involves moist, well-aerated, nutrient-dense soil, with minimal water and minimal or no pesticides for maximum yield and quality. Healthy soil conditions in SRI method of rice cultivation include an active network of roots with an optimal growing pH between 5.0-7.0, good aeration, an abundance of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous, adequate drainage which keeps root systems from becoming waterlogged; and low numbers of pests and weeds.

4. Controlled Water Application

Controlled water application in the SRI method is done to reduce inputs. It involves careful and precise timing of water applications, and allowing the soil to dry out for a specific period of time before rewatering. This technique allows for better root growth, improved disease and weed control, and more efficient use of water and other inputs. This improved method of applying water has been found to be more productive and sustainable, leading to higher crop yields.

Experiment with the SRI Method of Rice Cultivation

The collectives of Beforest are full of ecological design experiments – from trying to improve soil health of the veggie beds by integrating lake soil, to improving the rice yield through the System of Rice Intensification.

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation – Experiment in progress at the Hyderabad Farming Collective 

Our ecological design team attended a Desi Rice Festival hosted by WASSAN, where they were introduced to one of the farmers who presented his story of switching to organic rice farming using the SRI method. They later visited his farm in Vikarabad, where he grows 46 varieties of desi rice through this method, for his own consumption and for saving seeds for selling. The farmer also visited our Hyderabad Farming Collective at Bodakonda to guide us through the process of growing rice.

Through this method, we are now trying 4 new desi rice varieties, plus raktashali as our main rice crop. This season we are also growing ragi with this method. Currently, our rice nurseries have been prepared, and the preparation of ghana jeevamrut has been done. The paddy fields have been ploughed and the rice saplings have been transplanted.

We are a few steps ahead in this multi-step process and hoping to see positive results to this experiment. To check out the progress on this experiment and more forest-fresh updates, visit our Instagram channel.

SRI Method of Rice Cultivation – Experiment at the Hyderabad Collective

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