The document summarizes experiences with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Jharkhand and Bihar, India between 2005-2007. SRI was practiced on 1030 farms totaling 430 hectares. Yields increased significantly compared to traditional methods, with some farms achieving 12.9 metric tons per hectare versus 3.45 metric tons previously. Higher yields were due to increased tillering and number of grains per plant. SRI also improved food security for over 1000 families by extending the rice harvest period from 5-7 months to 14-18 months. Key aspects of SRI included young seedling transplantation, alternating wetting and drying of soils, and increased weeding. The method showed potential to ensure

1. The System of Rice Intensification in Jharkhand and Bihar Bringing new perspectives to the search for household food security _______ _____ NEEDS www.needsngo.in

2. SRI paddy cultivation, experiences, 2005 to 2007 A Presentation on

3. The shift: a glimpse 53 farm families harvesting rice for only 5-7 months consumption are now harvesting 14-18 months’ worth of rice from a single crop in the same piece of land Food security level of over 1000 families has increased, and these families are now able to take risks in diversified livelihoods [so financial inclusion is taking place]

5. System of Rice Intensification Jharkhand District: Deoghar Block: Sarwa Coverage of villages: 41 Bihar District: Banka Block: Chandan Coverage of villages: 16

6. System of Rice Intensification Total coverage of farmers : 1030 Total coverage of area (hectares): 430 Maximum yield (ha) : 12.9 MT Minimum yield (Kg / ha) : 6.2 MT

7. Farmer’s name : Sh. Rajeshwar Village : Bichgarha Panchayat : Sarwa Area : 10 decimals (0.1 ha) Variety : MTU-7029 Block : Sarwa District : Deoghar System of Rice Intensification: A Case

9. Particulars: SRI Date of sowing 12-07-2006 Date of transplanting 25-07-2006 Date of harvesting 10-11-2006 Number of weedings and hoeings 4 Maximum number of tillers/hill 108 Minimum number of tillers/hill 62 Average number of tillers / hill 81 Number of effective tillers / hill * 32, 39, 43, 46, 86* Length of panicle (cm) * 15 to 23.7* Number of grains / panicle * 173, 223, 269, 303, 305* No. of plants / m 3 * 11, 11, 12, 15, 15* Grain yield (t/ha) (*samples) 12.9

10. SRI Traditional

14. Comparison of SRI and Traditional Paddy Cultivation Farmer’s name : Sh. Rajeshwar Village : Bichgarha Panchayat : Sarwa Area : 10 decimals (0.1 ha) Variety : MTU-7029 Block : Sarwan District : Deoghar

16. Particulars SRI Traditional Date of sowing 12-07-2006 02-07-2006 Area (dm) 10 10 Date of transplanting 25-07-2006 25-07-2006 Date of harvesting 10-11-2006 13-11-2006 Number of weedings and hoeings 4 0 Maximum number of tillers/hill 106 13 Minimum number of tillers/hill 62 4 Average number of tillers / hill 78 8 Number of effective tillers /hill* 32, 39, 43, 46, 81 4, 5, 8, 8, 11 Length of panicle (cm) * 15 to 23.7 8 to15.1 Number of grains / panicle* 173, 223, 269, 303, 305 104,143,167,170, 184 No. of plants / m 3 * 12 to 15 38 to 43 Grain yield (t/ ha) (* samples) 9.25 3.45

17. Learning: Boro rice cultivation was experimented first time in Jharkhand during summer 2007 on 7 acres area, the result was excellent; the yield recorded (11.9 MT/ha) was over 3 times of their normal yield Medium and upper-medium lowlands are suitable for SRI cultivation. Lowlands, where water drainage is not quick, yield less The water percolation /drainage rate in upper-medium lowlands in Jharkhand is high, hence farmers require some reserve water for drying and soaking

18. Learning: We registered a high yield, up to 12.9 MT per hectare, because of high tillering; 109 tillers as a maximum against 18-20 tillers maximum in conventional practice In the summer crop, we registered 11.9 MT yield as against 3.3 MT per hectare; the practice was conducted with 30 farmers in a cluster of 7 acres last summer Weeding is a critical input required in SRI; the better the drying and soaking is practiced, the higher is the weeding required to get highest yield. We introduced rotary weeder and cono-weeder to make weeding an easy intervention, which helped a lot. However, farmers are reluctant to practice as many as 5 weedings.

19. Learning: Seed quality must be good as fewer seeds are used. However, HYV variety of seed may not required for SRI as local seeds have shown outstanding results in terms of both quantity and quality It is important that we work on producing good quality local seeds through SRI methods so that control over seeds remains with farmers locally This would ensure that marginalized farmers have assured access to good seeds. This would also have an impact on household food security

20. The critical areas of PoP: Water management: alternatively drying and soaking the soil Age and quality of seedlings for transplantation: two-leaf stage 4-5 weedings Potassium split-dose for stem borer control

21. Challenge: Soil nutrient management Huge biomass production with SRI extracts maximum nutrients from the soil Hence, green manuring is important

22. Challenges: Weeding – timeliness and frequency; access to weeders Water harvesting with paddy – to ensure reliable supply

23. We got good results from: Pre-sowing green manure Cowpea and Cassia species Dhaincha Post-harvest green manure Niger and Cosks comb can be a good post- harvest green manure / rich in potash

24. Conclusion: SRI can be an answer to household food security for marginalized farm households SRI cannot be a package but is a dynamic practice, requiring regional variance per temperature, pest types, in terms of water management, etc. States like Jharkhand require large-scale, area-based NGO interventions to influence Govt. institutions to bring more opportunities to marginalized communities

25. Nursery:

26. Single seedling ready for trans-planting

27. 25 days after sowing

28. After 50 days

29. At the verge of maturing:

30. We express our gratitude to SDTT for their support in scaling up SRI in the state of Jharkhand Thank you