Photos from Oct. 2009 visit to SRI field in Tamil Nadu, India (by Mei Xie, WBI)
• SRI was piloted from 2000-2004 by TN University of Agriculture – a leading agriculture institute in India
• After successful trials by TNAU, it was included in WB project from 2006 to now. Many farmers have now tried 4-5 seasons of SRI. Liked it much. Results were impressive – over 30% water saving, with 30-60% or even more increase in yields, and labor saving.
• Local governments give strong support, with scientific and research back-up from TN agricultural university
• Now over 500,000 ha under SRI management in the state. Still expanding
Manual transplanting and manual weeding with cono weeder are used by most farmers
Female labor does most of the transplanting, using thread with knots to mark the field – not accurately square however
Cono weeder – easily made by locals, easy to use
Disassembled cono weeder; design to be sent to Kenya farmers/MIAD
Mechanized transplanting and weeding were tried this season – expect to have major breakthrough in labor saving. Expect this to spread fast among farmers
Developed by private sector who got contract from WB project. Transplanting machine modified from China imported transplanter
Weeder also was developed by private sector. It is liked by farmers.
Extension Support by TN Agriculture University
SRI field
Over 300 Master degree students got posted in villages for 3 yrs to help disseminate SRI
SRI roots more developed than traditionally grown paddy
Field Comparison
SRINon-SRI
Allow soils to crack before irrigating again
Green manure planted 30 days prior to paddy field preparation – as organic fertilizer
Dan ji - a kind of legume -shown by Dr. Ravi of TNUA
Plough back into field as excellent green manure, reduce chemical fertilizer use
Nursery
Smaller nursery bed s are needed, and are next to the field – convenient to farmers
14-day seedlings asre suggested in Tamil Nadu. Younger ones can result in higher yields, but are more difficult for farmers to handle during transplanting
Farmers ‘ reaction to SRI
When asked in the field “Who are using SRI?” many hands were up
This farmer had composed a song for SRI –telling others how to transplant, how to weed, and how to water ….
Harvesting – Witnessed measuring paddy yields –SRI 2 tons higher in yield than conventional paddy
TNAU is studying reduction of GHG release by SRI field – over 20% reduction by SRI compared to conventional rice fields – results to come out soon