Revised proceedings - The System of Rice Intensification - Cornell ...

3.2 BRRI Presentation on Perception of Farmers on SRI in Satkhira
Socio-economic Evaluation of Rice Cultivation under SRI Methods
Md. Rafiqul Islam, Ph. D. 9 et. al.
PSO and Head Agricultural Economics Division, BRRI
Abstract
The study aimed to know the comparative management practices, assess the comparative profitability of rice cultivation under SRI
and conventional methods and understand the farmers‟ knowledge, perception and attitudes towards SRI over conventional method
of rice cultivation. Both primary and secondary level data were used in this study. The primary data were generated through
conducting Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with 25 villagers consisting of farmers, teachers, traders, labourers and village leaders in
Dewanipara village of 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 of root damage and mortality tends to be higher. The farmers practicing
SRI method required a bit lower amount of 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 of 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 of irrigation to maintain aerobic condition of the
soil. Under SRI method farmers did three times weeding, while under CM method farmers did two times weeding. Quantity of seed
required for SRI method was about 80% less than that of CM. The 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. The study revealed that 40% percent of the Boro rice area was covered by SRI method and generated an extra benefit of
about 38% over the conventional method (CM). Per unit costs of 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 of TK.1840/bigha over conventional practice. It is impressive that 100%
farmers of the village are in favour of SRI - though it was found to be slightly high labour demanding, had higher weed problem and
7-10 days longer crop field duration.
.Background
The System of Rice Intensification 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 of irrigated rice cultivation. The recommended
techniques for SRI can be summarized in terms of 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 of three or four plants,
and in a square pattern of 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 of panicle initiation. An
alternative drying and wetting method of irrigation is recommended to be followed in this practice
9 The authors acknowledge the help of M. Abdus Salam, SO, M. Ariful Islam, SO and M. A. Bakr Siddique, PSO of Agricultural
Economics Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute in conducting the FGD and in many ways to prepare the draft.
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