S. PUSHPALATHA, Chairperson, Ekoventure NGO, Puducherry

IMPACT OF SRI IN COMBINATION WITH EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISM TECHNOLOGY

EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISM (E.M) TECHNOLOGY

E.M was founded in the early 1980s by Dr. Teruo Higa, Horticultural Professor, Japan

E.M is a group of co-existing microorganisms in a culture solution. They are:

Naturally available

Not genetically modified

Environmentally friendly

Display co-existence and co-prosperity

Photosynthetic bacteria are considered as the pivot of E.M technology

E.M contains mainly:

Lactic Acid BacteriaLactic Acid Bacteria(Lactobacillus casei) Found in yogurt and pickles, they produce lactic acid from Found in yogurt and pickles, they produce lactic acid from sugars and carbohydrates and suppress harmful micro-sugars and carbohydrates and suppress harmful micro-organisms and enhance decomposition of organic matterorganisms and enhance decomposition of organic matter

Photosynthetic BacteriaPhotosynthetic Bacteria(Rhodopseudomonas palustris) Synthesize useful substances like amino acids, nucleic Synthesize useful substances like amino acids, nucleic acids, etc. from organic matter and harmful gases(Hacids, etc. from organic matter and harmful gases(H22S)S)

Yeast Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Synthesize anti-microbial and other useful substances Synthesize anti-microbial and other useful substances required for plant growth from amino acids and sugars required for plant growth from amino acids and sugars produced by photosynthetic bacteria produced by photosynthetic bacteria

Lactobacillus keeps away harmful microbes

LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

Transforms harmful gases such asammonia and hydrogen sulfide and converts them into odorless gases

OffensiveSmell

Ammonia

Hydrogen

Odorless Gas

Kitchen garbage,animal shed waste, sludge etc.

PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA

The Bioactive Substances Such as Hormonesand Enzymes produced by YeastsPromote Active Cell and Root Division

Yeast

E.M TECHNOLOGY IN SRI FIELDS

ACTIVATED E.M

E.M Fermented Plant Extract (EM-FPE) to control pests

EM-FPE

E.M TECHNOLOGY IN SRI FIELDS

10. Euphorbia – Euphorbia tirucalli

2. Papaya – Carica papaya3. Vitex – Vitex negundo4. Pongam – Pongamia pinnata

7. Custard apple – Annona squamosa

6. Tulasi – Ocimum spp

5. Calotropis – Calotropis gigantea

8. Lantana – Lantana camara

9. Periwinkle – Vinca rosea

1. Neem – Azadirachta indica

About 10-15 types of locally available leaves are soaked with Activated E.M for 7 days

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

BIRD PERCHPHEROMONE TRAP

TRICHOGRAMMA PARASITOID

PREDATORS

PROBLEMS FACED

1. Agricultural labourers unwilling to transplant young seedlings

2. Psychological fear of farmers

3. Improper water management – no proper drainage facilities

4. Regular monitoring of field by the farmer is required

FFS TRAINING

EXPOSURE VISITS PUBLICITY

PROMOTION OF SRI THROUGH …

Sl ACTI VI TY CONVENTIONAL SRI1 Seed cost 500 302 Nursery 260 1903 Main field prep. 2,588 2,5654 Transplanting 1,350 9005 Main field 2,420 1,7456 Harvest 1,900 1,900

Total 9,018 7,330

COST OF CULTIVATION

No. of fields

%No. of fields

%No. of fields

%No. of fields

%No. of fields

%

250 - 500 Kg 1 12.5 2 11.1 14 16.9 5 6.6 22 11.9

501 - 750 Kg 9 50.0 18 21.7 22 28.9 49 26.5

751 - 1000 Kg 2 25.0 2 11.1 10 12.0 12 15.8 26 14.1

1001 - 1250 Kg 1 12.5 1 5.6 9 10.8 7 9.2 18 9.7

1250 - 1500 Kg 2 25.0 1 5.6 16 19.3 13 17.1 32 17.3

1500 - 1750 Kg 1 12.5 4 4.8 3 3.9 8 4.3

1751 - 2000 Kg 8 9.6 7 9.2 15 8.1

> 2000 Kg 1 12.5 3 16.7 4 4.8 7 9.2 15 8.1

8 100 18 100 83 100 76 100 185 100

Range in INCREASE in

yield/ Ha

No. of farmers

TotalNavarai 2007 J an to May-

J un

Samba 2006 Aug - J an

Navarai 2006 J an - May

Sornavari '06 May -

Aug

RESULTS OF SRI FIELDS DURING JAN’06 TO JUNE’07

I ncrease in Yield/ Ha

12%

27%

14%10%

17%

4%

8%

8%

250 - 500 Kg

501 - 750 Kg

751 - 1000 Kg

1001 - 1250 Kg

1250 - 1500 Kg

1500 - 1750 Kg

1751 - 2000 Kg

> 2000 Kg

IMPACT OF SRI IN ADJOINING VILLAGES ….

1. Seed rate reduced – to 5-10 Kg per acre

2. Adopt row planting –25 cm between rows

3. Use cono-weeder

At present, to pluck seedlings for 1 acre, it costs Rs. 600 to Rs. 1000