The Southeast Asia SRI Regional Network (SeaSRI) official website has been officially launched (https://seasri.org/)! This regional network was formed at the 6th International Rice Congress held in Manila in October 2023. It was constituted by representatives of SRI national networks in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Myanmar, with Vietnamese colleagues also supportive of this initiative but not present. SeaSRI is a collaborative network dedicated to promoting SRI practices throughout Southeast Asia. It brings together academics, researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders to embrace this environmentally friendly and economically viable approach, with the ultimate goal of enhancing food security and farmer well-being in Southeast Asia.
La creciente sequía llevó a investigadores de INIA a incorporar una forma de regar campos arroceros sin afectar la calidad ni el rendimiento del cultivo.Este sistema llegó para quedarse”, sostuvo el productor arrocero Luis Valenzuela del sector Santa Amelia, en San Carlos, al referirse a la implementación del SRI (System of Rice Intensification) o sistema de intensificación del cultivo del arroz, que está implementando el INIA como nueva forma para producir arroz en Chile.
Esta metodología utiliza riegos intermitentes, en reemplazo de la tradicional inundación que ha caracterizado a este cultivo, cambio que no es antojadizo, ya que responde a la creciente disminución de agua para riego, en gran parte del orbe.
SRI-Rice's insight:
“This system is here to stay,” said rice producer Luis Valenzuela from the Santa Amelia sector, in San Carlos, Chile, when referring to the implementation of the SRI (System of Rice Intensification), which is being implemented by the INIA. SRI uses intermittent irrigation, replacing the traditional flooding-- a change that is not taken lightly, since it responds to the growing decrease in water for irrigation. Also the application of nitrogen has an efficiency of 70% in dry soil, while in flooded soil it only reaches 30%. An additional benefit noted was savings in products for weed control. Agronomist Karla Cordero added that, with the absence of flooding, “methane is no longer produced and the production of nitrous oxide is reduced."
The Jubilee Justice Black Farmers' Rice Project, launched in 2020, supports smallholder Black farmers to grow organic, regenerative, specialty rice. The rice is processed and marketed through their own cooperative with support from Jubilee Justice.
After Konda Mason, founder of Jubilee Justice, learned of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), she was emboldened by the idea that Black farmers could lead the development of growing regenerative, organic rice systems using the SRI method. In 2020, Mason joined forces with Erika Styger, an SRI expert at Cornell University, organic farmer Mark Fulford, and Iriel Edwards, 2020 Cornell graduate and first farm manager for Jubilee Justice.
The ideas and methods that constitute the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) were first synthesized in Madagascar by Henri de Laulanié in the early 1980s. The principles and practices of SRI have now been validated in over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas. Yet, many individuals still know little or possibly nothing about this methodology for raising the productivity of the land, labor, capital, seeds, and water employed in rice cultivation.
This introductory article outlines research and reviews included in the Special Issue of Agronomy which is entitled “The System of Rice Intensification (SRI)—Contributions to Agricultural Sustainability”
SRI-Rice's insight:
The journal Agronomy's Special Issue on “The System of Rice Intensification (SRI)—Contributions to Agricultural Sustainability” includes ten papers that present findings on ways in which SRI concepts are being utilized in diverse environments with modified practices, such as reducing labor requirements through mechanization and improving the production and profitability of crops other than rice. Various objectives are also being served, such as enhancing crops’ resilience to the stresses of climate change, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, increasing the micronutrient content of the grain, and conserving crop biodiversity.
The regional training of trainers’ workshop on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Climate-Resilient Rice Production (CRRP) took place in Grand-Lahou on Friday, April 5th, 2024. Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra, OSS Executive Secretary, expressed his gratitude towards the authorities of Côte d’Ivoire for hosting the event, highlighting National Rural Development Support Agency (ANADER) and its excellent agricultural mechanization training center in Grand-Lahou. He also thanked Dr. Erika Styger and Dr. Karim Traore for training of the future Master Trainers who will play a significant role in the RICOWAS project. [See also French version.]
SRI-Rice's insight:
The first regional RICOWAS training of trainers workshop was hosted by ANADER in Côte d’Ivoire. It included 45 experts from 13 West African countries belonging to the regional Scaling up Climate Resilient Rice Production in West Africa (RICOWAS) project, a four-year, $14 million effort funded by the Adaptation Fund to apply principles of SRI and Climate-Resilient Rice Production (CRRP). RICOWAS is overseen by the Sahara and Sahel Observator (OSS).
This declaration recognized the increasing vulnerability of agriculture and food systems to climate change, highlighting the escalating threat to their resilience. Regrettably, however, this declaration did not directly address the substantial emissions from agriculture, nor the low cost of mitigating thesehttps://www.sri-2030.org/the-alliance. Following the declaration, the Food, Agriculture, and Water Day at COP28 saw further announcements aimed at increasing climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture. (See article for list). Other organizations such as the Sustainable Rice Landscapes Initiative (SLRI) and Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) have been working on addressing the environmental impacts of rice production for several years.
During 2023, SRI-2030 launched the Sustainable Rice NDC Alliance to bring together countries with rice-related commitments in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). In fact, more than 30 countries include rice in their NDCs and 13 countries specifically listed SRI methods as a mitigation and/or adaptation option. Encouraging more countries to commit to sustainable rice production in their NDCs would channel resources toward actionable strategies benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment.
SRI-Rice's insight:
Read more about the NDC Alliance on the SRI-2030 website.
Join the NEW System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Global Research Network, which is jointly hosted by the Indonesian SRI Research and Innovation Network (IndoSRInet) and the SRI-Rice Center at Cornell University. By becoming a part of this network, you will gain access to a wealth of cutting-edge SRI research, facilitated through our comprehensive upgraded Zotero library offering research abstracts, metadata, and full-text content of refereed and high quality material.Don't miss our first SRI Research Newsletter, which will come out April 2024! [See contacts on the website to subscribe.]
In addition, we provide comprehensive updates on the latest research news in the field of SRI, ensuring you stay informed about current trends and breakthroughs. We also share news on funding and educational opportunities. Finally, upon joining the SRI Global Research Network, you will have the opportunity to actively participate in discussions with fellow members, fostering the exchange of insights and knowledge within our community.
Rice farmers have expressed their satisfaction with the project of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Tanzania that helps them withstand the effects of climate change and reduce production costs; at the same time, productivity is double that of conventional agriculture. This was stated during the SRI Stakeholders Annual workshop held in Mbeya Region on January 24 through 27, 2024, at the centre of Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute - TARI Uyole. While sharing his testimony, Mr. Filbert Kadebe a farmer from Mkula scheme found in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region, said that with SRI he managed to reduce cost by using 2 to 3 kilograms of seeds per hectare from the 30 kilograms he used to plant. Kadebe continued say that in SRI, with mat nursery technology it’s much easier for farmers to simplify the transplanting exercise as well as managing to transplant a single seedling.
The SRI project is implemented by the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Bio economy research (NIBIO) and the Swamination Research Institute (MSSRF) based in India.
SRI-Rice's insight:
The above link goes to the TARI home page. Once there you can find the article described above.
Video: La plaine rizicole de Karfiguéla s'est transformée grâce au projet « Eau, CLÉ du Développement Durable » (ECDD). Autrefois désespérée en raison du changement climatique et de pratiques agricoles inefficaces, cette région prospère à nouveau. Le projet ECDD a expérimenté avec succès des pratiques agroécologiques sur une superficie de 500 m². Des agriculteurs témoignent de l'impact positif sur leurs rendements et la qualité de leurs cultures. Le projet, mis en œuvre par l’Organisation néerlandaise de développement (SNV) et l’ONG World Waternet.
SRI-Rice's insight:
English: The rice-growing plain of Karfiguéla has been transformed thanks to the “Water, Key to Sustainable Development” (ECDD) project which successfully experimented with agroecological practices, including SRI. Farmers testify to the positive impact on their yields and the quality of their crops. The project, implemented by the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) and the NGO World Waternet.
Berhampur: SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method of paddy cultivation can help check climate change and benefit the farmers as it consumes less water in comparison to other methods of cultivation. ...In Ganjam district hundreds of acres are left uncultivated [due to climate change]. In this situation, the district project management unit under the Berhampur Forest department is laying stress on SRI cultivation. This has come as a relief for the distressed farmers fed up with crop loss and reduced output in the traditional method of cultivation. SRI method of cultivation is being implemented in the district with the support of the state government, the Green Climate Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Farmers think that this new method is helping them raise their crops without hassle.
…This year over 900 farmers in Chikiti, Rangeilunda, Khallikote and Ganjam blocks have taken up SRI. Assisted by two voluntary outfits Lipika and Pallishree and supervised by 30 experts, an additional 870 farmers have taken up SRI on 200 acre of farmland. The cultivation was initially started by training the farmers in 39 villages
... Over a period of four years (2016–2019), we quantify the benefits accrued to the uptake of SRI among smallholder farmers in Oluch irrigation scheme western Kenya. Our comparisons are in reference to a baseline study conducted prior to the full-scale promotion of SRI in the study area. Our study findings reveal that the uptake of specific SRI practices increased by at least 30–80%, and acreage under rice farming increased by 50%. Although SRI required more production costs per acre (as much as 63% increase), SRI had at least 28.6% higher return per shilling invested. Our findings underscore previous results in the literature that SRI is associated with not only productivity but also economic benefits justifying the need for scaling especially among smallholder farmers.
The authors analyze the role of agroecological-based climate-smart rice farming systems with focus on system of rice intensification (SRI) in climate adaptation and mitigation. Modern agriculture contributes significantly to climate change through methane production, with paddy rice production being a major source. However, there is the potential to reduce the negative impact through SRI. At the same time, the SRI intervention can increase yield by encouraging aerobic soil conditions, improving soil health and stimulating root systems. The chapter provides a conceptual framework for optimizing the management of ecosystem goods and services reflected in the biodiversity contained in healthy rice paddy fields.
Initial evaluations of the System of Rice Intensification focused mainly on its impacts on yield and income. Researchers at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research have conducted a more comprehensive evaluation of SRI methods over six years, comparing them with three alternatives: modified, partially mechanized SRI (MSRI); direct-seeded rice (DSR); and conventional rice with flooding of fields (CTF). Grain yield with SRI methods was found to be about 50% higher than with CTF (6.35 t ha−1 vs. 4.27 t ha−1), while the MSRI yield was essentially the same (6.34 t ha−1), 16% more than with DSR (5.45 t ha−1).
Water productivity with SRI methods was 5.32–6.85 kg ha-mm−1, followed by 4.14–5.72 kg ha-mm−1 for MSRI, 5.06–5.11 kg ha-mm−1 for DSR, and 3.52–4.56 kg ha-mm−1 for CTF. In comparison with CTF, SRI methods significantly enhanced soil microbial populations over time. Biological activity in the rhizosphere was also higher. Similarly, an indicator of soil organic matter, glucosidase activity, was 78% higher compared to CTF. SRI management reduced GHG emissions by 21%, while DSR reduced them by 23%, and MSRI by 13%, compared to CTF. Economic analysis showed both gross and net economic returns to be higher with SRI. While the study documented advantages of SRI, it also showed that MSRI is a promising adaptation that provides similar benefits but with lower labor requirements.
SRI-Rice's insight:
R.M. Kumar, P. Chintalapati. et al. 2023. Comparison of System of Rice Intensification applications and alternatives in India: Agronomic, economic, environmental, energy, and their effects. Agronomy 13(10): 2492. doi:10.3390/agronomy13102492
The inaugural edition of the SRI Global Research Network newsletter is scheduled for release in May 2024. This newsletter will take a closer look at recently published System of Rice Intensification (SRI) research articles, information about events and activities related to SRI, as well as awards and grants received by our SRI colleagues globally. Information about how to subscribe to SRI Global Research Newsletter can be accessed here: https://sri-research.org/newsletter/
SRI-Rice's insight:
The newly organized System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Global Research Network, which publishes this online newsletter, is jointly hosted by the Indonesian SRI Research and Innovation Network (IndoSRInet) and the SRI-Rice Center at Cornell University. Find out more about the Network's activities, which include access to an upgraded Zotero library as well as other activities and information.
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an environmentally sustainable farming method which has enabled growers from the Kapunga Village in Tanzania’s Mbarali district to boost their income and nutrition. Under the Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements project in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries-Phase III (ACP MEAs 3) funded by the EU, the FAO project aims to support local farmers by training them in adopting SRI.
The initiative encourages smallholders to participate in Farmer Field Schools (FFSs), offering them group plots of land and SARO 5 seeds to practice SRI. ACP MEAs 3 helps farmers transition to more resilient and productive agrifood systems by offering training and capacity building in ecosystem-based practices that promote the sustainable resource management, protect the environment, and improve food security.
French language System of Rice Intensification (SRI) video from World Bank-funded PRéCA (Projet de Résilience et Compétitivité Agricoles -- Agriculture Resilience and Competitiveness Project) in Burkina Faso
How can we produce rice in a way that uses fewer resources and regenerates nature? In this episode Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Transforming Tradition series, we hear why a growing number of farmers around the world are changing the way they produce rice, by adopting an agroecological approach called the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).
A novel approach called the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has become a revolutionary force in the vast agricultural areas of India, where crop farming determines the beat of life. This creative farming method not only goes against the accepted wisdom in rice growing, but it also signals a big shift in the lives of many farmers...
An article in Agronomy shows that there need not be a trade-off between food security and climate change mitigation. A review of field studies found that SRI is associated with both reduced GHG emissions and higher yield compared with conventional flooded rice farming. The authors found that the mean reduction in emissions per kilogram of rice produced was 48% when SRI is compared with conventional practices. Yield benefits of SRI compounded the already significant reduction in emissions associated with alternate wetting and drying (AWD). The authors recommend that farmers be encouraged to adopt SRI practices given the dual benefits for food security and climate change mitigation. They also cited other benefits of SRI, and call for more research into the potentially even more significant benefits of soil carbon sequestration with SRI. [This article is published in Agronomy's Special Issue on “The System of Rice Intensification (SRI)—Contributions to Agricultural Sustainability”]
This presentation by one of the earliest investigators of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) will review the practices, principles and effects of SRI and then some of the initial criticisms and objections. The main focus will be on scientific issues and opportunities that warrant investigation from agricultural science and/or social science perspectives.
SPEAKER: Norman Uphoff, DATE: February 21, 2024, [see video] VENUE: Cornell University, 175 Warren Hall; or, online via zoom ORGANIZERS: Dept. of Global Development, Cornell University. This presentation is part of the "Perspectives in International Development" seminar series
BA’KELALAN, Jan 31: The System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a sustainable farming project supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) in partnership with CIMB Islamic, began in Ba'Kelalan and has now expanded to four additional villages...
The SRI rice farming project stands as a shining example of how collaboration between local communities, corporate partners, and conservation organisations can create a lasting positive impact on both people and the environment. According to WWF-Malaysia, this expansion reflects the positive impact and widespread acceptance of SRI as it promotes chemical-free farmers and employs targeted methods to reduce pests like the golden apple snail....
[Video]: Economic empowerment of Women through the application of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India (2022-23)
New and ‘improved’ rice varieties have contributed greatly to increased production over the past 50 years, but the rate of rice yield increase based on genetic changes has declined in recent decades compared with the early years of the Green Revolution. In fact, many rice consumers continue to prefer to consume ‘traditional’ rice varieties because of their taste, aroma, texture, and other qualities. Furthermore, many farmers prefer to cultivate these varieties because of their better adaptation to local climatic and soil conditions and their evolved resistance to endemic stresses.
The practices that comprise the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) provide traditional rice varieties with micro-environments that are more favorable for the expression of their genetic and agronomic potentials. Interactions among rice plants, soil characteristics, water, energy, and other inputs improve the phenotypic and physiological performance of rice plants. This paper considers how the cultivation of traditional rice varieties with SRI methods can raise yields, reduce farmers’ costs of production, and generate higher incomes while contributing to the conservation of rice biodiversity.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has trained Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and farmers on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) activities under the RICOWAS scaling up climate resilient rice production in West Africa project. Dr Issah Sugri, Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-SARI and Project Monitor, said the four-year RICOWAS project, was funded by Adaptation Fund supported by Observatoire Du Sahara Et Du Sahel Sahara and Sahel Observatory. The project, implemented by CSIR-SARI, is to strengthen human and institutional capacity in climate-resilient rice production (CRRP) and also to assist farmers to scale-up CRRP...
SRI-Rice's insight:
The USD 14 million RICOWAS project will be operating in 13 countries in West Africa during the next four years. We also found articles recently on the RICOWAS efforts getting going in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Seorang pria di Kota Banjar, Jawa Barat hampir separuh hidupnya fokus wujudkan gagasan selamatkan bumi dengan pertanian organik. Dalam perjalanan hidupnya, ia mengembangkan System of Rice Intensification atau SRI di bidang pertanian. Alik Sutaryat, warga Lingkungan Sukarame, Kelurahan Mekarsari, Kecamatan Banjar yang kini berusia 63 tahun itu sejak tahun 1991 berjuang menyelamatkan bumi dan masa depan.
Aliksa Organik SRI Consultant yang ia dirikan, hingga saat ini sudah sekitar 47000 orang yang belajar langsung melalui berbagai pelatihan. Bukan hanya dari wilayah Kecamatan Lakbok, Kabupaten Ciamis yang menjadi awal mula ia berjuang, namun di berbagai daerah di Jawa Barat. Bahkan, Alik menyebut yang belajar sistem pertanian organik tersebut dari berbagai provinsi yang ada di Indonesia, seperti Aceh, Sulawesi, Kalimantan dan provinsi lainnya. Dari puluhan ribu petani yang belajar itu, ia pun mengklaim lahan yang dikelola secara organik seluas 10.320 hektar. Alik menilai, saat ini di Indonesia terjadi kerapuhan alam pertanian dan kerapuhan pangan.
SRI-Rice's insight:
Alik Sutaryat, of Mekarsari Village in Banjar District of West Java has focused almost half of his 63 years on realizing the idea of saving the earth with organic farming. For the last several decades, he promoted the System of Rice Intensification or SRI. Through his organization, Aliksa Organik SRI Consultant, around 47,000 people have participated directly in his trainings-- not only in West Java, where his began is work, but in Aceh, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and other Indonesian provinces. From the tens of thousands of farmers trained, he has had an influence on 10,320 hectares of organically managed land.
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