Semi Irrigated Method of Paddy Cultivation (System of Rice Intensification)  

This system of rice intensification was developed in Madagascar as early as 1993. The average yields obtained by farmers are 2-3 times more yield than the other methods of paddy cultivation. The major saving is through seed rate i.e., 7.5 kgs of seeds (one seed per hill) as against the usual requirement of 70 kg/ ha. and another one is water saving is more than 50% over the conventional method (continuous submergence). The moisture in the field at the field capacity level for balancing the root system is good enough to get larger quantity of tillers (up to 120 per hill).

Only demerit in this system is weed and hence frequent weeding is necessary to cut down the competition of weeds with the crop plants.

SIP method in KCBTMP  

As a part of Farmers Field Schools in KCBTMP, SIP method of paddy cultivation has been introduced in the project in the selected tanks through Agricultural Universities Services where 25-30 farmers drawn from potential paddy growers to conduct trials on SIP method of cultivation to practice themselves and observe the advantages of this method over the conventional methods. They will have an opportunity to observe the crop at regular weekly intervals. They will also study the growth and yield parameters during each week. As part of FFS, a field day will be organised involving potential paddy growers at harvesting stage, to show the worth of this approach in terms of higher grain and straw yields and saving of water. This will be followed up by supporting interested farmers to practice this method in their respective fields.

Frequent weeding is an essential requirement in SIP method. Hence, an attempt has been made to fabricate a hand operated weeder and provided to the farmers for effective weeding. The response of farmers has been good as the standing crop is showing profuse tillering (around 70) and healthy growth.

Comparison between SRI Method / SIP Method and Conventional Method

Advantages of SRI/SIP Method

• 1 tmcft of water will irrigate up to 5,000 acres under conventional method. However, 1 tmcft of water can irrigate 9,000 acres under SRI. Method.

• Only 30 percent of the total quantity of water utilised under conventional method is required for SRI.
  Paddy can be cultivated under drought condition since fields are not flooded as done in conventional method.

• Yield is high – under conventional method, 15-18 quintals of paddy are harvested from 1 acre. SRI method yields 25 quintals per acre. (Rice plants are healthy as extensive root growth enables them to tap nutrients from deeper layers in the soil).

• Production cost comes down since only 2 kg seed is sufficient for 1 acre as against 20 kg under conventional method.

• In conventional method, plant spends a lot of energy to develop air pockets in its roots as they remain inundated. The energy, which ought to have been utilised for grain production, is used for development of air pockets.

• In conventional method, about 70 percent of roots get degenerated by the time paddy reaches flowering stage. Under SRI method, degeneration is very low as water is not allowed to stagnate.
  No scope for chemical fertilizers. Use of compost and organic manure protects soil fertility.