This paper discusses the advantages of system of rice intensification over normal paddy cultivation. The researcher compare the performance of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and normal rice fields in two mandals (subdistricts) of Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The yields from these two systems and agronomics are compared.
The need to find less water intensive methods of agriculture become important as there is a reduction in the scope of enhancing irrigation base for increase in food production. It is in this context that this research has been carried out.
The study was carried out in the rice growing areas of Andhra Pradesh where the main sources of irrigation are canal systems, tanks and tubewells. The researchers quote findings which state that the canal irrigation systems are operating at very low efficiencies and that almost 11% of the canal irrigated area has turned saline. Further the groundwater resources in almost 43% of the states local administrative blocks have been classified as over-exploited, critical, or near-critical with respect to extraction levels and proportional recharge. The researchers also list out other issues in the irrigation sector.
The paper begins with a brief history of SRI and the method it entails. SRI is focused on transplanting younger seedlings in square spacing. There is wet and dry irrigation and weeding done between one and three times prior to canopy closure.
SRI gave a statistically significant yield advantage of 18% over regular paddy cultivation combined with a decrease in total expenditure. The authors through tables also point out the decrease in various production costs. For example there was a reduction in labour costs both in transplanting and weeding.
The authors also discuss the misconception of SRI being labour-intensive. They reason that this could be because the system requires proper management. Also the skills required in this type of cultivation are new and have to be learnt. The other points discussed in the paper are water use in SRI under tube-well irrigation systems and electricity savings.
The paper concludes that the multiple crisis's being faced in the agricultural sector in many rice producing states, can be overcome if SRI is undertaken.
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