Introduction of the System of Rice Intensification
	16:50 IST

RAJYA SABHA The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique has received considerable attention globally including India due to its potential for yield improvement and water saving. The main features of this system include transplanting of young seedlings singly in a square pattern with wide spacing; using more of organic fertilizers; and keeping the paddy field moist with intermittent drying and wetting during the vegetative growth of plants. SRI causes better plant growth and development and economizes upon the use of seed, irrigation water, labour, plant protection chemicals and fertilizers and hence increases the productivity of land, water capital and labour significantly over conventional method of rice cultivation. The System of Rice Intensification technique is promoted under World Bank assisted project Irrigated Agriculture Modernized Water Bodies Restoration and Management (IAMWARM) in Tamil Nadu. During 2007-08, 912 demonstrations at the cost of Rs. 36.48 lakhs were organized. In 2008-09, a sum of Rs. 122.04 lakhs was spent for conducting 2034 demonstrations. The popularization and promotion of SRI through demonstrations at farmers’ field is one of the important interventions of National Food Security Mission-Rice (NFSM-Rice) which is in operation since October, 2007 in 136 districts of 14 States (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) in the country. Besides, the similar intervention is also implemented in Integrated Cereal Development Programme in Rice Based Cropping System Area (ICDP-Rice) in non-NFSM districts and States under Macro-Management Programme. This information was given by Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria, Minister of State for Agriculture in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. MP:CP:system(20.2.2009)