System of Rice Intensification – Dealing with Climate Change
The best thing with SRI is that it helps in enhancing production and also reduces the seed requirement and water need of the crop. There are lots of studies, which prove the same. The main issue is to develop the awareness and confidence among the farmers to promote SRI on large scale. SRI could help in the water stress situation in these uncertain monsoons. Although with severe drought the crop with SRI would also fail, but it surely would withstand large dry spells compared to the traditional practices with the better management practices. It also reduces the crop maturing period and seed requirement by up to 90%.
The genesis: The SRI method was developed in Madagascar in 1983 and soon spread to other parts of the world. It has become quite popular in India, particularly in the southern states. This method of cultivating paddy does not involve huge expenses on good quality seeds and high doses of fertilisers and pesticides. It also discourages use of chemical fertilisers and promotes organic manure. There is a need for large scale promotion of SRI among the small and marginal farmers, which would happen through field implementation, trainings and exposures as a major campaign across the state.
It is heartening to know that NABARD has recently launched a pilot project to popularise the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for paddy cultivation in Jharkhand (Telegraph, Ranchi, July 22). The INR 5 crore project will be implemented in 22 districts over two years. If the experiment succeeds, it will be extended to other districts. In Jharkhand, the project will be implemented with the help of 52 NGOs. The project will benefit at least 30,000 farmers and cover 9,000 acres of land in two years. 
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