This document discusses the experience of AKRSP(I) promoting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique in tribal regions of South Gujarat, India. SRI uses younger seedlings, wider spacing, and modified watering practices to increase rice yields by an average of 119% compared to conventional rice farming. While successful, some farmers found transplanting younger seedlings and using weeders difficult. Moving forward, the organization aims to promote SRI's sustainable rice cultivation methods more widely and integrate additional crops like ragi to increase food security and reduce climate risks for smallholder farmers.

1. Tribal South Gujarat Region,
Netrang

2. Back Ground of the Area…..
 Majority area is rainfed
 Average land holding (< 1 ha.)
 Traditional Farming
 Limited knowledge of agriculture
 Migration

3. Objectives of the Programme…..
 To ensure food security & reduce distress
migration related issues;
 To increase net income of farmers;
 To optimize input cost and increase
productivity;
 To decrease risk through agriculture
diversification;

4. AKRSP (I)’s Experience in SRI.....
Principles followed in AKRSP (I)
….
 Seed Rate
Young Seedling
Single Seedling Transplantation
Wider Spacing
Weed Management
Water Management

5. AKRSP (I)’s Experience in SRI.....
SRI vs. Conventional – A experience of AKRSP (I)
….
Input Conventional Paddy SRI – technique SRI – Farmer s
recommended practice
Seed 20-30 Kg per Acre 2 kg per acre 2Kg for Hybrid & 3
kg for Certified
Spacing Close spacing 10×10, 15×15, 25×25 cm & more 20×20 to 25×25
15×10,
Transplanting Seedling age about 30 days old 10-14 days old 12 days to 20 days
No. of Seedlings 2 to 3 seedling Only one seedling 1 to 2 seedling
per hill
Weeding Mgt. Manual weeding and herbicide Weeding through Hand weeding
application cono- weeder (2 times) followed
Water Mgt. Rainfed or flood irrigation Wetting & Drying
only Rainfed & Wetting &
Drying
Fertilizers Application of chemical fertilizer, Preference given to Mostly chemical
pesticide and herbicide organic fertilization fertilizer used
Plant protection Application of chemical pesticide Insecticides & No spray if needed
and herbicide @ 2 or more pesticides are not then Amrit Jal
necessary

6. AKRSP (I)’s Experience in SRI.....
Year wise coverage in
Acre…

7. AKRSP (I)’s Experience in SRI.....
Taluka wise coverage in Acre…

8. AKRSP (I)’s Experience in SRI.....
Village coverage…

9. AKRSP (I)’s Experience in SRI.....
SRI vs. Conventional
Source: AKRSP (I) Internal Study

10. AKRSP (I)’s Experience in SRI.....
Some Facts…..
Variety: Hybrid (6444, 6201, Suchi),
Variety- Guj-70, Guj-4 etc
Average increase in Yield: 119%
Rice considered as a source of food security,
therefore rice area shrinking and shifting to
cash crops (Source: GIDR, IRMA);
Source: AKRSP (I) Internal Study

11. Learning & Experience of Farmers…..
• Difficult to use weeder and marker in small and
irregular terraces;
• Difficult to use market and weeder for the first
time, especially by women;
• Difficult in transplantation of 10-12 days old
sapling;
• Requires continuous attention;

12. WAY FORWARD…..
Promotion of sustainable mode of paddy cultivation
through SRI;
Promotion of SRI technique all over Gujarat by
forming consortium of the partners organization;
Promotion of SRI technique in Ragi (Dangs distinct)
Integrated approach to reduces the climatic effects;
Value Chain Development for backward & forward
linkage of of farm produce like Rice, Ragi etc;

13. o u
k Y
a n
T h