In May 2008, PRADAN initiated the SRI method of paddy cultivation in selected areas of Chhattisgarh through its partner organisations with financial support from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). It supported 11 NGOs who together could reach 4600 framers in 9 districts of Chhattisgarh in last Kharif.
The workshop, third of its kind in the state, succeeded in bringing together diverse stakeholders involved in promoting SRI. A total of 250 participants were present at the workshop.
The workshop had the broad objectives of:
- Sharing the experiences by practising farmers and researchers from diverse background within and outside state would ensure better learning
- Knowledge and understanding of the participants on SRI will be enhanced
- Effective partnership between civil society organisations and state agencies for effective promotion of SRI in the state
- Up-scaling of promotional activities of SRI in the state
Honourable Agriculture minister, Mr. Chandrasekhar Sahu honoured the workshop as the chief guest and APC and Principal Secretary (Agriculture); Government of Chhattisgarh Mr. D.S.Misra was present as special guest to chair the concluding session for the focus area and recommendation.
Mr. P. Kridatt, Director Agriculture, Government of Chhattisgarh welcomed the participants and said that SRI is one of the potential yield enhancing methods. He emphasised that the cross learning among the participants would help to learn different ways of SRI and challenges faced. Mr. C. L. Jain, Mission director, NFSM, Chhattisgarh, in his opening remarks shared that the government is starting demonstration with 15000 families in this financial year under SRI. He focused on strengthening the existing resources and ensures proper training on the package of practices to minimise the risks. The Vice Chancellor, IGKV, Dr. Pandey who was the chair of the inaugural session shared the engagement of the university in promoting SRI and future prospects of SRI in Chhattisgarh context.
A documentary on SRI practices “Ek Ropa Dhan” produced by PRADAN which got the Rajat Kamal in 58th National Film Award was screened.
Agriculture Minister, Mr. Chandrashekhar Sahu honored the workshop as chief guest during the Plenary. In his presence women SHG members from Raigarh and Kanker district shared their experience in SRI. Honourable minister emphasised that the Chhattisgarh state has huge potential to excel in the area of agriculture and if all the actors put hand together this potential can be attained in recent future.
Professor Shambu Prasad, XIMB, shared about the experience of building alliance in different states and the national level consortium and the role of different stake holders mainly government. He also shared about the potential of application of SRI principles in other crops like wheat, kidney beans and sugar-cane.
Mr. Anil Verma from PRADAN, Bihar shared Experience of SRI in Bihar, with 21000 marginal farmers in Bihar. He shared about how the programme has brought SRI as theme of practice not only for paddy but for all crops and being treated as System of Root Intensification in the State and the proactive role of Government machinery. Now in Bihar the government has taken SRI promotion as movement called “SRI Kranti”.
Scientist Dr. Ajay Verma from IGKV shared about their research experience on promoting Ambika weeder and other equipments suitable in Chhattisgarh context and assured the timely supply of the equipments.
In the session following the presentations, farmers were encouraged to share and discuss their experiences in SRI paddy cultivation with other workshop participants. Basant Yadav from Sahbhagi Samaj Sewi Sanstha and Philip Ekka from Karma shared their experience on promoting SRI on behalf of the 11 NGO partners in the SRI promotion programme in Chhattisgarh. They emphasised that the government and other stakeholders need to focus on the indigenous varieties in place of hybrid.
Mr. Saroj Jena from NABARD shared the initiative taken by NABARD, Chhattisgarh and how it has brought different states experience in Chhattisgarh through exposure and cross learning meetings. He also shared that the government should focus on multiple cropping, organic farming, integration with land and water conservation structures and most importantly to bring more focus on participating women. He assured the support from NABARD under Rural Innovation Fund.
Saroj Mahaptra, PRADAN presented about the achievement of the project supported by SDTT in Chhattisgarh in partnership with 11 NGOs. The project could reach 4500 farmers. In 2010-11 the SRI farmers average yields was 5.84 MT/ha., highest being 12.02 MT/ha.
Valedictory session was chaired by the Principal Secretary (Agriculture) and APC, Government of Chattisgarh, Mr. D.S.Mishra, IAS. He appreciated the farmers’ willingness to adopt the new SRI method, PRADAN and the partner NGO’s effort to make it success and promised fuller cooperation from Government for further promotion, by ensuring availability of support.
Ms. I. Sarangi gave the vote of thanks expressing happiness on the way the proceedings took place and thanked each and every one for participating actively in the workshop by sharing their knowledge, experiences and doubts on SRI. She thanked the resource persons from other states to share their experience and organisers for their significant efforts to make the workshop fruitful.