System of rice intensification (SRI): producing more rice with less water

Summary

This video introduces the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a water-efficient method that boosts rice yields. It covers the steps involved in SRI, such as using dry nurseries, transplanting younger seedlings, and practicing intermittent wetting and drying. SRI has been shown to improve rice quality, increase production by up to 50%, and reduce water usage compared to conventional rice farming. Additionally, SRI reduces mosquito breeding and has been adopted in Kenya since 2009, with ongoing research and farmer training to further its benefits.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rice consumption is on the rise globally, outpacing the demand for wheat and maize.
• 😀 Over 80% of rice in Kenya is grown in rice paddies (PES), but traditional rice farming uses too much water and results in low yields.
• 😀 The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a set of practices designed to increase rice yields while using less water.
• 😀 SRI is not a type of rice, but a farming method with seven key practices to improve rice production.
• 😀 SRI practices include preparing a dry nursery, transplanting younger seedlings, using wider spacing, intermittent wetting and drying of fields, mechanical weeding, and applying organic manures.
• 😀 SRI increases rice yields significantly, with some farmers seeing up to a 50% increase in production.
• 😀 Rice grown through SRI has better quality: cleaner, longer grains, and heavier weights compared to traditional rice.
• 😀 SRI helps reduce labor costs due to the efficiency of practices like mechanical weeding and more economical transplanting methods.
• 😀 Research indicates that SRI can help combat malaria by reducing mosquito breeding, thanks to its wetting and drying practices.
• 😀 The Kenyan National Irrigation Board (NIB) supports SRI, seeing it as an effective method for reducing water use and increasing rice productivity for farmers.

Q & A

What is the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)?

SRI is a set of agricultural practices designed to increase rice yields while using less water. It is not a type of rice but a method that involves techniques like preparing a dry nursery, transplanting younger seedlings, planting in wider spacing, and using intermittent wetting and drying of paddy fields.

How does the SRI method differ from conventional rice farming methods?

In conventional rice farming, fields are flooded throughout the growing season and seedlings are transplanted in clumps. In contrast, SRI involves using wider spacing, transplanting younger seedlings, and alternate wetting and drying of the field. SRI also uses mechanical weeding and organic manures for improved soil health.

What are the main components of the SRI method?

The seven main components of SRI are: preparing a dry nursery, transplanting younger seedlings, using wider spacing in a square pattern, alternate wetting and drying of the paddy field, mechanical weeding, and the use of organic manures.

What is the significance of using younger seedlings in SRI?

Using younger seedlings (8 to 12 days old) in SRI helps avoid transplant shock, encourages better root development, and increases the overall health of the plant. This contrasts with the conventional method, where seedlings are transplanted at 21 to 30 days old.

How does SRI improve water efficiency in rice farming?

SRI reduces water usage by practicing intermittent wetting and drying of the fields instead of continuous flooding. This method saves water, allowing farmers to irrigate more land with less water, which is particularly important in regions where water resources are limited.

What impact does SRI have on rice yields?

SRI has been shown to significantly increase rice yields, with some farmers reporting up to a 50% improvement in crop production compared to traditional methods. The practice also results in better-quality rice grains that are longer, cleaner, and heavier.

What advantages does SRI offer in terms of labor and cost?

SRI helps reduce labor costs by using mechanical weeders instead of manual weeding, which is labor-intensive. Additionally, the method's efficient use of resources and higher yields make it more economical, from planting to harvesting.

How does SRI contribute to improving rice quality?

SRI improves rice quality by producing cleaner, well-polished, longer grains that are heavier than those produced through traditional methods. The quality of SRI rice is considered superior, making it more valuable for sale.

How has the SRI method been adopted in Kenya?

SRI was introduced in Kenya as a project in 2009. Since then, it has been adopted by numerous farmers, with research and capacity-building efforts helping to spread the method. The National Irrigation Board (NIB) supports SRI and aims to see widespread adoption among farmers in the next few years.

What other benefits of SRI have been discovered through research?

Research has shown that SRI not only increases rice yields and saves water but also reduces mosquito breeding due to the alternate wetting and drying process. This helps decrease mosquito survival rates, potentially reducing the spread of diseases like malaria.