Le riz, vital en Afrique de l’Ouest, est au centre d’un forum régional clé à Bamako depuis hier, lundi 5 mai 2025. En effet, 13 pays et des organisations internationales discutent de systèmes agricoles durables et de l’essor du Système de Riziculture Intensif (SRI). Riz : Enjeu Clé de la Sécurité Alimentaire. L’Afrique de l’Ouest […]

For generations, Sarawak’s Indigenous rice farmers have cultivated more than just crops—they have nurtured a way of life deeply rooted in tradition, sustainability, and resilience. In the face of climate change and modern challenges, their time-honoured practices offer valuable lessons in ecological balance and community survival. As technology and tradition converge, these silent teachers continue.

The Sarawak rice farmers practise agriculture in a way that is sustainable in nature, emphasising a harmonious relationship with the natural ecosystem. One such practice is the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which was introduced to enhance yield without compromising environmental integrity. SRI is environmentally friendly and gives a higher yield compared to conventional planting techniques. With these eco-friendly practices, farmers have observed increased paddy yields and sustained income while decreasing the need to clear more forests for cultivation. This chemical-free approach keeps rivers clean and minimises environmental impacts, showing a win-win situation for farmers and the environment alike.

The India rice market size was valued at USD 10.12 billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 12.21 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.1% from 2025-2033. The India rice market share is growing due to the increasing population, rising domestic consumption, government support through Minimum Support Price (MSP), advancement in farming technology, increasing exports, climate-friendly rice varieties and improved irrigation systems.

…With growing concerns about environmental sustainability and soil health, India's rice sector is embracing eco-friendly farming methods. Sustainable cultivation techniques such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), direct-seeded rice (DSR), and organic farming are becoming more prevalent, helping reduce water consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance yield efficiency.

Join us for the SRI Global Research Network Webinar #6
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
09.00 – 10.30 AM (New York time)
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM (West Java time)
Title: Cyanobacteria: Revisiting their Role as Nutrient Enriching and Resource Conserving Options under SRI/SCI  
Speaker: Radha Prasanna, ICAR-IARI, India

Zoom Link: bit.ly/SRIGRNWebinar6
More information: contact@sri-research.org

The System of Crop Intensification (SCI), adapted from the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), offers a promising solution by optimizing agronomic management for various crops, such as wheat, millets, maize, sugarcane, rice, and soybean. SCI enhances productivity, profitability, and sustainability by optimizing practices such as WUE and NUE. Here are some conclusions from a comprehensive review:.

1. SCI increases crop yields by 15%–25%, doubling farmer income while improving oil and protein content, nutrient uptake, and water-use efficiency.

2. Soil quality under SCI surpasses conventional methods, enhancing sustainability and climate resilience in cropping systems.

3. SCI reduces GHG emissions and weed challenges, making it an ecologically friendly and profitable farming approach.

4. Despite higher production costs, SCI ensures better net returns through improved resource use and productivity in crops like rice, maize, and soybean.

Roy Mosley, a Georgia farmer,  has been experimenting with a black-husked “sticky” rice for the past three years. “It is an African rice that was grown in the Serengeti close to the desert.  It needs water, but it doesn’t have to be flooded." Roy is a member of the Jubilee Justice farming co-op, which is based in Louisiana and promotes sustainable farming by Black farmers, especially in a “System of Rice Intensification” that uses fewer seeds and less water. This co-op has rice-growing members from Louisiana to South Carolina. 

The first couple of years he mulched with wheat straw. But seeing that this was impractical for scaling up, he “direct seeded” the rice with no mulch. “I’m the first one in the co-op to do direct seeding…,” Mosley said. “I’m so proud, because this is the first year I’ve actually made rice.” Now he expects to harvest enough to sell for the first time.

 Swarnalata Sahu seemed to have started a stir, but the revolution in the farming sector she was fueling in Brajeshpentha village in Rangeilunda block of Ganjam district in Odisha carries with it the potential to turn into a storm. Identified as a Climate Champion, she has been encouraging the use of SRI (System of Rice Intensification), an agroecological method for increasing rice yield while reducing water, seed, and fertilizer requirements.

In a village with 148 households and a population of 756, most of whom depend on agriculture for sustenance, Swarnalata’s intervention has clicked well among the lead farmers, particularly women, who play a major role in farming.

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) pilot programme implemented by Propcom+ across different locations in Nigeria has shown potential to enhance rice productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Nigeria.

During the pilot, Propcom+ said 22,269 smallholder farmers, 41% of whom were women, received SRI training through onsite demonstrations and SMS-based education.The pilot also attracted commercial investments, with three suppliers committing to providing motorized transplanters, mobile solar-powered pumps, and organic fertilizers. Additionally, the initiative created 199 jobs, with rural entrepreneurs adopting the service delivery models for mechanized transplanting and irrigation services. The pilot also achieved improvements in farm productivity, with 66% of adopting farmers reporting higher yields compared to conventional farming.