Adoption of any technology requires a balanced approach.  Focus always is on demonstrations showing the value of new technologies.  Especially in farmer fields.  

Yes, Rishikesh

Its true that soil quality needs to be maintained, GHGs emission through rice cultivation needs to be minimized. To address these two issues, conservation agriculture might play a major role. Regarding SRI method, its adoption by farmers is increasing. Apart from SRI, two other rice cultivation techniques viz. aerobic rice and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) methods need to be tested extensively in farmers field. These would help in maintaining soil quality and minimizing emission of methane from rice fields.

Dear Rishikesh, Cuperus and Mandal,                                         26th March 2015

Congratulation to you all for recognising the traditional system of intelligence, the "AGREECULTURE"  and blowing the trumpet for pseudo conventional agrotechnology of "AGREEMENTCULTURE".  IGP has been exploited by 'agreement culture' (agreement for blind modernization, agreement for commercial, political and award promotion etc. etc.) over 'agreeculture' (traditional knowledge (TK) base where compatibility is considered for a wider synergy including commerce but without credit). Kindly look into the basic principles of SRI and I think these are mostly TK based but surprisingly credit is given to conventional system and conventional scientists. GHG footprint, Sustainability, pollution and environmental health etc., are after effects of chemical fertilization. If you are really interested for SRI in IGP then elements of synergy have to recognized with devotion and dedication to the system with emphasis on using local resources for the local, by the locals and of the locals.

All the best,

B.K.Senapati

Thank you Dr. Gerrit Cuperus, Dr. K.G. Mandal Sir and Prof. Bikram Keshari Senapati Sir for your suggestions on the spread of SRI in IGP.

I agree with the adoption of emerging agronomic practices which are based on the traditional knowledge for IGP, because if we look back to the spread of either SRI or conservation agriculture practices in the other parts of the world per se SRI adoption in Madagaskar, it evolved by managing the traditional knowledge. Likewise the conservation agriculture is also incorporating the traditional concepts.

Though, I do not knowing the exact origin of aerobic rice system, its adoption to the upland and low water areas is recommendable. Also it is found to be co-evolved with dry direct seeded rice (DSR) system. But the problem of weed infestation is the major constraints.

Another issue I found through literature survey is enhanced C-mineralization with aerobic environment.

I would like to know your views ob the later issue.

Once again many thanks to you all for your valuable suggestions and I invite some more people for the discussion.

Rishikesh

Dear Rishikesh Singh,                          March 26th 2015

First of all I must admit that my interaction is purely on the basis of ecology and applied soil biology. 

Synergy between the conservation and conventional agriculture will bring the system closer to sustainable production. It requires voluntary admission of mistakes and appropriate preventive measure for rectification. I hope problems could be rectified with appropriate approach through carbon diversity and biodiversity. Previously attached papers are some of the preliminary approach in this regard. 

I shall be interested to get related publications on SRI, DSR and aerobic rice system. My e-mail address is .

All the best,

B.K.Senapati

Any technology adoption decision is influenced by various technical, socio-economic, and other risk related factors factors. There is no denying the fact that the rising severe threat of climate change, arising not only from natural causes but mostly from human activities including intensive system of production,  castes new challenges for ensuring sustainable production of future food. Integrating concerns of productivity, resource conservation, quality and environment is now fundamental to sustained productivity growth. Conservation agriculture is necessary but as farmers make decision taking consideration of complex systems, any conservation technology should be designed such that it is acceptable to farmers. Farmers can foresee short term gains and risks more than loner term issues. To achieve longer term benefits of CA you must analyse the short term  needs of the farmers so that they adopt a CA technology which has higher social benefit than short term private benefit. It is important to identify immediate constraints farmers may encounter. For example, if a soil conserving technology produces more weed then farmers must be supported with weed management practices so that they get some sort of benefit from weed management to cover their additional cost. Any analysis should consider holistic viewpoint to identify farmers' needs, bot for short run and long run. Farmers should be provided with information on input management practices that can  improve the soil quality so that they can keep their better land for future generation. 

Thank you Dr. Shaheen Akter for your valuable suggestions and critical insight on the adoption of Conservation agriculture systems by incorporating benefits from the already existing conventional agricultural systems.

The system of rice intensification can get its wider adoption and adaptation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains when you involve the farmers, input suppliers, the scientist together in a forum to deliberate on the issue under consideration. If the farmers mental models are respected, since it is their own mental model, they will adopt

SRI has many benefits like more yield, more water-use efficiency, better grain-quality, less GHG emissions and so on. Its adoption can be given momentum  by change in mindset of farmers through more of on-farm trials in larger plots, demonstrations on SRI methods mechanization of transplanting young seedlings, power weeding tools (for small and large holdings ), some incentives to the farmers practicing SRI, premium prices for SRI produce may help wider adoption of SRI in IGP region, in my opinion.  

Dear Rishekesh

I believe SRI rice has an important place, but not everywhere. The IGP is not a homogeneous region. It is unwise to generalize about a common problem (over-exploitation of resources) and a common solution (SRI rice). Over-exploitation refers principally to the Western area of the IGP, with declining groundwater and increasing salinity (amongst other serious issues).  For good reasons, the Government of India would like to see less rice produced in the West and more in the East of the IGP, where natural resources appear to be under-utilised (despite small land-holdings that you think would use resources efficiently). 

However, if rice is to be produced in the Western IGP, sustainably, then aerobic rice might be the best way forward as noted in an earlier post.  Aerobic rice is direct-seeded and grown as any field crop without puddling and ponding.  SRI needs both, and although it uses less water than transplanted rice, it generally uses more water than aerobic rice.  You need to consider yields, water requirement per se., water productivity (yield/water-use), and all of the environmental costs - before promoting SRI or any other technology.

SRI is a good option or much of fthe East, where water is abundant, although it is important that any irrigation be based on shallow groundwater not deeper aquifers as in the West.  For more analysis of the Eastern IGP see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236179363_Food_Security_and_Poverty_Reduction_in_the_Eastern_Gangetic_Plains

In the hilly terrain to the south of the Eastern IGP, SRI rice is most suited to wet lowlands and aerobic rice to the drier terraced and bunded ‘medium uplands’. This is mainly because variable rainfall often prevents puddling and timely transplanting on medium uplands. Aerobic rice can be grown every year, and is a wonderful option for food security in this risk-prone region.  See: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273641779_Improving_crop_production_for_food_security_and_improved_livelihoods_on_the_East_India_Plateau._I._Rainfall-related_risks_with_rice_and_opportunities_for_improved_cropping_systems

Whatever region we are working for, it is important that we avoid the mistakes of the ‘green revolution’ - this is why we need to respectfully engage with farmers in our research, avoid broad prescriptions, be cautious with irrigation based on groundwater, aim for efficient use of both water and nutrients (subsidies often do the opposite), and strive for economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability. 

Best wishes for your work.

Peter

Conference Paper Participation - for improved adoption, research, or both: tw...

Data Food Security and Poverty Reduction in the Eastern Gangetic Plains

Article Improving crop production for food security and improved liv...

Thank you Dr. Kwamina Ewur Banson, Dr. Anchal Dass and Prof. Peter Stuart Cornish for your elaborative discussion and suggestions for the query.

Regards,

Rishikesh

It is important to promote the SRI in place of puddled rice keeping in view of the resource scarcity. However, it should be realized that mere getting and publishing research findings in the research trials will not help out. It is needed that SRI is one of the component to be applied through the farming system research approach. There is need to have bottom up approach with not only agronomists but a well coordinated and dedicated teams of agronomists, extension agents, specialists from other disciplines along with policy makers. The trials should be research manged one in actual situations in which farmer is working. Then only we can deepen the reach of this technology.

Mechanical planting for young seedlings, better control over water, and policy interventions can help

Indo-Gangetic plain is the major rice wheat producing areas which feed higher percentage of country's population..monoculture of this rice and wheat systems have arisen so many threats viz water resources decline, loss of sustainability, loss in soil fertility, climate change due to burning of rice wheat residues and many more...Rice is the heavy feeder of water especially transplanted rice as huge amount of water is required for transplanting, puddling and maintenance of standing water for a definite duration..in general, it is said that 1000 litre water us required to produce unit kg of grain.. decline in water table and other emerging constraints have emerged DSR or aerobic rice culture but heavy weed infestation is the only limiting factor however advanced weed science research on DsR have solved these problems to a greater extent..but as far as productivity is concerned, SRI ensure higher yields, requiring less seed rate, limited water (for optimum moisture only), one seedling per hill and use of cono weeder in between wider space between row(square planting) with organic fertilization..by this, not only net income, yield, grain quality may be improved but saving of water, herbicides can be done while ensuring sustainability, soil fertility and ecological balance....