pp. 41-54. Economic planting <strong>of</strong> rice. Madras Agric. J. 36:538 (1949) 37
3.2 BRRI Presentation on Perception <strong>of</strong> Farmers on SRI in Satkhira Socio-economic Evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rice</strong> Cultivation under SRI Methods Md. Rafiqul Islam, Ph. D. 9 et. al. PSO and Head Agricultural Economics Division, BRRI Abstract <strong>The</strong> study aimed to know the comparative management practices, assess the comparative pr<strong>of</strong>itability <strong>of</strong> rice cultivation under SRI and conventional methods and understand the farmers‟ knowledge, perception and attitudes towards SRI over conventional method <strong>of</strong> rice cultivation. Both primary and secondary level data were used in this study. <strong>The</strong> primary data were generated through conducting Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with 25 villagers consisting <strong>of</strong> farmers, teachers, traders, labourers and village leaders in Dewanipara village <strong>of</strong> Tala Upazila under Satkhira district. Under SRI method, farmers used only one seedling per hill while 4-5 seedlings per hill were transplanted under farmer‟s practice. However, it is necessary under SRI method to transplant the uprooted seedlings immediately after uprooting. If delayed, the rate <strong>of</strong> root damage and mortality tends to be higher. <strong>The</strong> farmers practicing SRI method required a bit lower amount <strong>of</strong> water (1-1.5 inch) all the times throughout the crop establishment stage compared to the conventional method (CM) (2-2.5 inch) but the total frequency <strong>of</strong> irrigation was 35 times for SRI and 30 times for CM. One shortcoming was that they did not use the alternative wetting and drying method <strong>of</strong> irrigation to maintain aerobic condition <strong>of</strong> the soil. Under SRI method farmers did three times weeding, while under CM method farmers did two times weeding. Quantity <strong>of</strong> seed required for SRI method was about 80% less than that <strong>of</strong> CM. <strong>The</strong> farmers reported that the SRI method required less chemical fertilizer compared to CM. It was also observed that the SRI method generated 40% higher yield compared to conventional method. <strong>The</strong> study revealed that 40% percent <strong>of</strong> the Boro rice area was covered by SRI method and generated an extra benefit <strong>of</strong> about 38% over the conventional method (CM). Per unit costs <strong>of</strong> production for SRI and CM were Tk. 16.05/kg and Tk. 18.14/kg on full costs basis and it was Tk 14.94/kg and Tk. 16.72/kg on cash cost basis, respectively. However, the partial budgeting analysis revealed that the SRI adopters gained an additional benefit <strong>of</strong> TK.1840/bigha over conventional practice. It is impressive that 100% farmers <strong>of</strong> the village are in favour <strong>of</strong> SRI - though it was found to be slightly high labour demanding, had higher weed problem and 7-10 days longer crop field duration. .Background <strong>The</strong> <strong>System</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rice</strong> <strong>Intensification</strong> known as SRI is a methodology that applies certain principles and techniques providing insights about how rice plants can be assisted to perform better. It improves their growing environment by introducing different practices for managing plants, soil, water, nutrient and microbial interactions for increasing the productivity <strong>of</strong> irrigated rice cultivation. <strong>The</strong> recommended techniques for SRI can be summarized in terms <strong>of</strong> six main elements: (i) Seedlings are transplanted when they are very young, normally 8-15 days old, when they have just two leaves (ii) Seedlings are widely spaced, only one seedling per hill rather than in clumps <strong>of</strong> three or four plants, and in a square pattern <strong>of</strong> 25 by 25 cm apart or wider if the soil condition is good (iii) Seedlings are also transplanted very carefully, gently, immediately after collecting them from the nursery or seedbed and placing the tiny roots in a position so that they can quickly resume their downward growth (iv) Water is carefully managed during the vegetative growth stage, up to the time <strong>of</strong> panicle initiation. An alternative drying and wetting method <strong>of</strong> irrigation is recommended to be followed in this practice 9 <strong>The</strong> authors acknowledge the help <strong>of</strong> M. Abdus Salam, SO, M. Ariful Islam, SO and M. A. Bakr Siddique, PSO <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh <strong>Rice</strong> Research Institute in conducting the FGD and in many ways to prepare the draft. 38
Change language