2008, The World Bank Group, All Rights Reserved

System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

Based on an application in the Philippines

A “How-to” guide for farmers

What is SRI?What is SRI?SRI

A combination of innovative agricultural practices

A combination of innovative agricultural practices

Madagascar

Introduction System of Rice Intensification

Planting Water management

Soil aeration Nutrient application

“These practices have enabled farmers to increasetheir paddy yields by 50-100% and even more”Yield

80%Water demand

20% - 50%

India Indonesia Cambodia Philippines

Iran Madagascar China Cuba

Introduction System of Rice Intensification

Yields have been doubled in PhilippinesMore and more farmers to adopt SRI practices

Locally also referred as SSIA in Philippines

SRI Traditional rice production

The six key elements of SRIKey elements of SRI

Soak the field for five days before plowing

Harrow two or three times with a two-three days pause

Spread fertilizerLevel the field

Dry Dry

Land preparation1The six key elements of SRI

Division of field with gridsField rakingRake

25 cm

25 cm

30 or 40 cm

Recommend 40 by 40 cm spacing based on their field experiments

Land preparationThe six key elements of SRI 1

Smaller number of plants are needed per hectareGood seeds

Salt water Soaking seeds in salt water

Sinking seeds Seed selection

1 2

3 4

Seedbed

1 : 1

Soil Fertilizer

Prevents seedling roots from running too deep into the soilThis method is called “Dapog” in the Philippines

Seedling preparation2The six key elements of SRI

SowingSpread organic fertilizerSpray organic pesticideWater the nursery dailyNear your homeBamboo traysBanana leavesEasier to carry the seedlings, compared to traditional practice

Seedling preparation2

Nursery management is faster and less labor intensive

The six key elements of SRI

TransplantingEight-ten days old seedlingsOne month old seedlings

Traditional method

• More productive

• Healthier plants

• Effective root systems

Disassemble the seedbedWash off the excess mud

Put them on a plate or tray

Innovative transplanting3The six key elements of SRI

Grid

Plant one seedling at each intersection of the grid

Traditional methodPlant the seedlings in shallow soil

Slip the roots into sideways Don’t push the seedlings in from above

Allow 20 to 30 minutes between the uprooting of seedlings and their transplanting

Single plants with wider spacingWith wide spacing of up to 40 by 40 cmMore tillersSRI - More profuse root growth

Conventional method less root growth

Innovative transplanting3The six key elements of SRI

Three days wetSeven days dryTen days after transplantingContinuous irrigation when the panicles start to appearSize of cracksTraditional methodsIntermittent irrigation

SRINonSRI

Root elongationThree days wet Seven days dry

Intermittent water application4The six key elements of SRI

Adjust the timing and the amounts of intermittent irrigation according to the availability of water, especially in the

dry season

Good management of irrigation systemThe soil is not kept flooded from the outset, plant roots grow larger and deeper and remain healthier than those grown with

traditional methods

More resistance to drought

Intermittent water application4The six key elements of SRI

Start weeding around 10-12 days after transplanting Start weeding around 10-12 days after transplanting

Repeat 2-3 times every 10-12 daysRepeat 2-3 times every 10-12 days

Rotary weedingManual weeding

Rotary weeding5The six key elements of SRI

Organic fertilizers

Rice straw Animal dung

Banana pulp Indigenous micro organisms

NGO trainingNGO trainingSpray pesticides, if necessary

Organic fertilization6The six key elements of SRI

25 - 40 cm

SeedlingsSingle plantingPlanting with wider spacingIntermittent water applicationSoil aerationOrganic fertilizerModify these based on:

Soil conditions

Availability of water

Financial constraints

Readiness to try the new practices

Things to consider

Leveled land

Control of field water

Cost of labor

Availability of organic materials

MilletSugar cane

Summary : general guidance for applying SRI

Yield

Water Seed

Fertilizer Labor

India Indonesia Cambodia Philippines

Iran Madagascar China Cuba

Climate changeGrowing populationGood management of water irrigation

Conclusion

2008, The World Bank Group, All Rights Reserved

Produced by the World Bank Institute (WBI)Research, script and photo selection by:

Mei XieKotaro KikuchiAlyson Kleine

Script adaptation, multimedia design and production by:WBI Multimedia Unit

Special thanks to the following people, who provided knowledge, materials and photos

Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture & Development, USANorman Uphoff

Decentralized Irrigation System Improvement, IndonesiaNippon Koei Consultant Team Leader,

Shuichi Sato

National Irrigation Administration, the PhilippinesCarlos Salazar

Bonifacio LabianoMario Sagum

Farmers, San Isidro, Paniqui, PhilippinesFelipe B. Gabriel

Efren Gabriel

Irrigators Association, Andanan, Philippines Fernando O. MenobNemegu B. Niog Jr.

SRI-PilipinasRoberto Verzola

Haraz Technology Development and Extension Center, IranBahman Amiri Larijani