Scaling Up SRI The Need for a Major Strategic Shift for Ecologically Sustainable Rice Production in India Dr. Biksham Gujja Policy Advisor, Global Freshwater Programme Gland, Switzerland 5 th October 2007, Agartala, Tripura

Water: A global challenge 1.1 billion people presently without safe water supply 2.4 billion people without sanitation 3-10 million deaths from waterborne diseases Ecosystem are being rapidly destroyed Most species-rich ecosystems are in the greatest danger and decline

1.1 billion people presently without safe water supply

2.4 billion people without sanitation

3-10 million deaths from waterborne diseases

Ecosystem are being rapidly destroyed

Most species-rich ecosystems are in the greatest danger and decline

A water-scarcity crisis 70% agriculture 20% industry 10% urban use Eradicating malnutrition by 2025, with current productivity, would require additional diversions of water “close to all the water withdrawals at present”, according to IMWI & SIWI WWF LPR 2002

70% agriculture

20% industry

10% urban use

Percentage of area under irrigation in A.P.

Water Conflicts in India Driving water demand Rural areas are dumping grounds Water conflicts are simmering and occasionally erupt in violence

Driving water demand

Rural areas are dumping grounds

Water conflicts are simmering and

occasionally erupt in violence

Last three years… WWF getting infected!! Evaluating SRI and establishing that it really works Excitement over large numbers of tillers and grains Some indication of significant water-saving potential Some adoption by farmers, but still not widespread

Evaluating SRI and establishing that it really works

Excitement over large numbers of tillers and grains

Some indication of significant water-saving potential

Some adoption by farmers,

but still not widespread

SRI: From Hyderabad to Agartala? Lot of awareness among politicians, farmers, others Civil society and government collaboration SRI practiced in almost all the states to some extent Some solid research is being done Independent confirmation Tripura has progressed with clear targets

Lot of awareness among politicians, farmers, others

Civil society and government collaboration

SRI practiced in almost all the states to some extent

Some solid research is being done

Independent confirmation

Tripura has progressed

with clear targets

SRI: From Hyderabad to Agartala? Still at national level, very small percentage of area covered Major rice-growing states are not able to push SRI to the greater extent Water-saving has not been clearly measured and quantified Still some scientists and professionals are critical Some have gotten infected, but SRI is not spreading fast enough, and even some are dis-infected!

Still at national level, very small percentage of area covered

Major rice-growing states are not able to push SRI to the greater extent

Water-saving has not been clearly measured and quantified

Still some scientists and professionals are critical

Some have gotten infected, but

SRI is not spreading fast enough,

and even some are dis-infected!

SRI presents an opportunity, but major challenges lie ahead Informing the rice research establishment Proper information and extension Research, monitoring and evaluation Modifications to irrigation infrastructure Assured power supply enabling farmers to manage their crop with less total water Potential link to climate change documented Partnerships of many kinds to be formed

Informing the rice research establishment

Proper information and extension

Research, monitoring and evaluation

Modifications to irrigation infrastructure

Assured power supply enabling farmers

to manage their crop with less total water

Potential link to climate change documented

Partnerships of many kinds to be formed

Rice Yield (t/ha) in India District-wise during 2004-05

India – China Comparison for Rice Area and Production

India – China Comparison for Rice Paddy Yield

Mini-mission good start, but not ambitious enough?? 11 mt increase by 2012 Goal of improving productivity on 20 m.ha. by 500 kg/ha – is this enough? Allocation of Rs. 12,000 crores (Rs. 2,500/ha -- US$ 700) SRI is one of the most promising interventions, but how to be spread? what to be done? where? and with whom?

11 mt increase by 2012

Goal of improving productivity on 20 m.ha. by 500 kg/ha – is this enough?

Allocation of Rs. 12,000 crores (Rs. 2,500/ha -- US$ 700)

SRI is one of the most promising interventions, but

how to be spread?

what to be done?

where? and with

whom?

Targets for infection… 20 (or 10) by 2020 for 200 20 m.ha under SRI management by 2020 To produce 200 mt of paddy Rs. 20,000 crores investment Cost: Rs.2,500/t production, or Rs.1,300/y/5y Average: 5 t/ha with irrigation; with SRI, 6 t/ha Can India achieve this?? India needs a big, ambitious and practical approach. The question is HOW??

20 m.ha under SRI management by 2020

To produce 200 mt of paddy

Rs. 20,000 crores investment

Cost: Rs.2,500/t production, or Rs.1,300/y/5y

Average: 5 t/ha with irrigation; with SRI, 6 t/ha

Can India achieve this??

India needs a big, ambitious and practical approach. The question is HOW??

Conclusions Need major strategic shift Very ambitious mission Rs. 20,000 for five years Direct support to farmers Target of 200 mt increase Save 100 billion cubic m. water SRI one option, but a major one Save money and ecosystems

Need major strategic shift

Very ambitious mission

Rs. 20,000 for five years

Direct support to farmers

Target of 200 mt increase

Save 100 billion cubic m. water

SRI one option, but a major one

Save money and ecosystems

Some Publications on SRI

Thank You Let’s Achieve Quickly “ More Rice Per Drop”