1. Organized by: SPWD Supported by:
(Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development) SIR DORABJI TATA TRUST,
(SDTT), MUMBAI
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3. INTRODUCTION SPWD
INTRODUCTION SPWD
Society for promotion of wastelands development (SPWD), a national level NGO
since its inception in 1982 has been playing a catalytic role in reversing the
process of degradation of land and other related natural resources in partnership
with NGOs and grassroots institutions. The society’s mission is “to prevent arrest
and reverse degradation of life support system, particularly land water, so as to
expand livelihoods opportunities in a sustainable and equitable manner through
people’s participation”. SPWD has a vast body of cumulative experience and
knowledge of various facets of Natural resource management (NRM), livelihood
and environmental issues across the country, built up over the years. It is vibrant
organization with vast experiences of human resources drawn from various
fields of forestry, social sciences, rural development, development research,
engineering and management. The key personnel have experience of working on
NRM and livelihoods project for partners such as Department for International
Development (DFID), SWISS Development Agency for cooperation (SDC), Sir
Dorabji Tata Trust and Ford Foundation etc. During the last twenty five years of
its existences SPWD has worked in collaborative projects with over eighty local
voluntary agencies, across 17 states in 11 agro climatic zones of India. SPWD has
a vast experience of handling consultancy assignments and project on NRM
based livelihoods.
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4. SPWD IN JHARKHAND
SPWD IN JHARKHAND
In Jharkhand, SPWD is currently working on the issue of food security by
promoting the method of Paddy cultivation through System of Rice Cultivation
(SRI) with the support of SDTT. The productivity of paddy, the principle crop
ranges from 0.8t/h to 2.2 t/ha. The yield for the year 2006-07 was 1.68t/h. The
per- capita net production of cereals
for India is 523 gms/day. Whereas in
Jharkhand the per capita production is
230gms/day, which is lower than
Bihar per-capita availability of
318.40gms/day. The productivity of
cereals and oilseed is also below the
national average. These all demands
interventions to increase the
productivity of major crops like paddy and wheat.
SPWD is implementing the SRI promotion programmes in 13 districts (25
Development blocks and 134 villages) of Shorthand through 18 partners. The SRI
programme was implemented in three agro-climatic zones of the state:
• Zone -1 (Ranchi Region) – Agro- climatic sub- zone v (western Plateau):
covered districts are Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla and Palamu.
• Zone-2 (santhal Pargana Region): Agro-climatic sub –zone IV (central and
north-eastern Plateau Zone): covered districts are Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara,
Pakur, Godda, Sahebganj.
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5. • Zone-3(East singbhum, West Singbhum and Saraikela Kharsawan):
Agroclimatic sub zone VI: Covered districts are Saraikela kharsawan, east
singbhum, west singbhum)
SRI EXPERIENCE SHARING WORKSHOP
SRI EXPERIENCE SHARING WORKSHOP
To strengthen the process of System of Rice cultivation (SRI) and to expand the
technique of SRI in other areas of Jharkhand a two days state level experience
sharing workshop was organized by SPWD at Ranchi Jharkhand. A good
number of NGOs’ from different district participated in this workshop.
Objectives of the workshop
The objectives of the workshop were:
• Share experiences of partner NGOs on SRI and explore the potentiality
and hurdles in the promotion of SRI.
• To organize all NGOs, involved in SRI work under one umbrella and
platform.
• To develop coordination between all NGOs, working for SRI promotion.
• To make future action plan for expansion of SRI technique in other part of
the state and also pilot SRI technique on other food grains like Garma paddy and
wheat etc.
Major Proceedings of Day One
• Registration of the participants.
• Welcome note by Mr. Pran Ranjan, SPWD
• Brief introduction session by Mr. Ram Lal Prasad
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6. • Formal innauguration of the workshop by honorable chief guest
NABARD C.G.M. Mr. K.C. Sashidhar
• Opening session by all chairpersons.
Welcome note by Mr. Pran Ranjan
Welcome note by Mr. Pran Ranjan
The workshop began at 11 a.m. and Mr. Pran Ranjan while welcoming all chair
persons and participants on behalf of SPWD, invited Mr. Ram Lal Prasad to
anchor the proceedings of the meeting.
Mr. Ram Lal Prasad welcomed all participants
including the key spokesperson and different
organizational head by offering bouquet. Lighting a
Deepak symbolized the formal inauguration of the
workshop by the honorable chief guest Mr K.C.
Sashidhar.
After the welcome address Mr. Ram Lal communicated the significance of food
security and how surplus food production will secure livelihood for rural
community in Jharkhand. He said that this workshop will go a long way to help
all NGOs in sharing their experiences about SRI work and we are hopeful that at
the end of the workshop, we will come out with strategy for replicating our
experiences on SRI to whole of Jharkhand.
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7. Inaugural Session
Inaugural Session
Presentation by Guests on session –I
Presentation by Guests on session –I
Mr. Sharat Singh
Mr. Sharat singh from SPWD spoke at length about the objectives and significance
of the workshop. He narrated his experiences about SPWD work on SRI, through
power point presentation. He said that SPWD is currently working, on SRI
technique in Jharkhnad in the three agro climatic sub zones, covering 13 districts
with 18 NGO’s partners and reaching out to 1664
farmers covering about 647 acres of land. SPWD
works with a mission to prevent degradation of life
support system particularly land & water, so as to
expand livelihood opportunity in sustainable
manner through people participation.
The SPWD’s main focus are -- Natural resource management, promotion of
livelihoods, development of different institution and capacity building of NGOs,
action research, documentation and dissemination of the information and
advocacy of these issues at state and national level.
He said that the topography of Jharkhand is undulating and only 10% of the total
land has irrigation system. The average rainfall in Jharkhand is 1400 mm. SPWD
is working particularly with medium up land and medium land and also little bit
on up land and low land for promotion of SRI in Jharkhand last year. The
percentage of small and marginal farmers is more then 80% of the total farmers.
And food security (round the year) is a major problem for them. The major
challenges for the farmer’s of Jharkhnad is irrigation and poor access to credit
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8. facilities.
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9. Coverage details:
SL.. Name of the Operating Target Achieved Area of Area of
agency district farmer farmer Coverage Coverage
(nos.) (nos.) Target Achieved
(in acres) (in acres)
ZONE I- Ranchi
1 Lohardaga Lohardaga 150 154 60 47
Gram Swarajya
Sansthan,
Lohardaga
2 Arouse Society, Gumla 120 105 60 52
Gumla
3 Srijan Ranchi 157 117 81 48
foundation,
Hazaribag
4 Sampurna Palamu 120 185 60 82
Gram Vikas
Kendra, Palamu
ZONE II- Santhal
Pargana
5 Lok Prerna, Deoghar , 250 258 60 59.46
Deoghar Dumka
6 Lok Jagriti Deoghar 150 59 60 30
Kendra,
Madhupur
(Deoghar)
7 Bhartiye Manav Pakur 120 108 60 48
Vikas Sewa Sahebganj
Sansthan,
Deoghar
8 Chetna Vikas, Dumka 250 242 60 59.35
Deoghar
9 Lok Deep, Jamtara 120 135 60 40
Deoghar
10 Lok Kalyan Pakur 30 30 15 18
Seva Kendra,
Pakur
11 SATHEE, Godda 124 83 60 55
Godda
ZONE – III (
Singhbhum Zone)
12 Technology East 30 30 15 18
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10. Resource singbhum
Communication
and Service
Centre,
Jamshedpur
13 Shikshit West 30 18 15 12
Berozgar Mahila Singbhum
samity,
Ghutusai
(Chaibasa)
14 Shramajivi West 30 30 15 15
Mahila Samity , sigbhum
Jamshedpur
15 Singbhum Gram East 30 30 15 15
Unnayan Singbhum
Mahila Samity,
Chakulia, (East
Singhbhum)
16 Sahayogi Saraikela - 30 30 15 16.2
Mahila, kharsawan
Rajnagar
(Saraikela-
Kharsawan)
17 Indira Adivasi West 30 30 15 15
Mahila Vikas singbhum
Samity, West
Singhbhum
18 PRAVAT, East 30 20 14 8.5+8.5*
Purulia singbhum
Total 18 partners 13 1801 1664 740 647
N.B- * In Manbazar block of Purulia district, West Bengal
He then discussed about the various features of intervention of SRI method of
paddy cultivation in Jharkhand
- SRI method has been followed in three categories hybrid, high yielding
and traditional varieties
- It has also been practiced in areas having problematic soils e.g acidic
condition
- In the state of Jharkhand since the topography is undulating water
mostly flows from field to field. Therefore the farmers suggested that instead of
constructing channels all around the field, opening and closing of inflow-outflow
points on the field bunds can be used for alternate wetting and drying
- SRI method promoted among the santhals
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11. - In various project villages of Palamu, Lohardaga, Godda and West
Singhbhum districts the Women are taking the lead role to take this method to
the field
- Taken up with marginal farmers
SPWD provided technical and handholding support to the farmers, for
promotion of SRI in association with different partners in different districts of
jharkhand. According to Mr. Singh SRI technique is facing some sort of challenge
due to rain fed conditionality od land in jharkhand.
Mr. Singh then shared the morphological feature of paddy growth and the yield
which was obtained from the swarna variety of paddy in different agroclimatic
subzone of jharkhand in last year’s implementation of SRI in different district of
Jharkhand.
Agroclimatic sub zone IV: Santhal Pargana
Variety: Swarna
Sl.no Description Quantity
1 Average no. of tillers/hill 70-75 tillers
2 Average no. of plants in 1*1sq.m.area 12-16 plants
3 Average no of tillers in 1*1sq.m.area 1120-1200
4 Minimum no of tillers per hill 58
5 Maximum no. of tillers per hill 97
6 Average no of panicles per hill 30-35
7 Average no of panicles in 1*1 sq.m area 450-550
8 Minimum no. panicles per hill 23
9 Maximum no of panicles in 1*1sq.m.area 54
10 Average height of a plant 44 inches
11 Average length of panicles 28 cm
12 Average no. of grains (filled) in a panicles 242-272
13 Average no. of khakhari in a panicles 22-36
14 Average weight of grains per hill 80-90 gm
15 Average no of grain per hill 5124-6062
16 Average weight of 1000 grains 19gm
17 Average weight of straw per hill 135-155gm
18 Average weight of straw/1*1 sq.m area 2-2.5kg
19 Average yield per decimal 44-54 kg
20 Average yield per acre 44-54 quintals
21 Average yield per hectare 110-135 quintal/11- (13.5 ton)
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12. Agro climatic subzone: V
Lohardaga experience:
Variety: Swarna
Sl.No Description(per square meter) Quantity
1 Average number of tillers 452-543
2 Average number of panicles 400-450
3 Average wt of grain in gm per square meter 1380-1456 gm
4 Average yield per acre 55.2- 58.24 quintal per acre
Agro climatic sub zone VI:
Variety: Swarna
Particulars Traditional Paddy SRI Paddy
Age of seedling during 28 - 38 17-Sep
transplantation (Days)
Length of seedling (Inch) 19-Jun 2.5 – 4 inch
Leaf during transplantation (Nos) 5-Apr 2 – 4 inch
Plant to plant and row to row Haphazardly Mainly 25cm X 25cm.
distance
Seed treatment Optional Must
Average no of tillers per hill during 22-Aug 30 – 90
tillering
Plant height (Inch) 28 - 45 32 – 48
Particulars Traditional Paddy SRI Paddy
Length of root (Inch) 2 – 3.5 6 – 8.8
No of panicles per hill 16-Apr 22 – 75
Height of panicles (Inch) 8-May 9-Jun
No of field grain in each panicle 80 - 165 145 – 240
No of chaffs in each panicle 25 - 48 15 – 42
Average production (Qt/acre) 8.7 – 18.7 17.5-30
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13. He also discussed about the yield in different variety of paddy. Some
indigenious variety like sikki nenhia, gerua muri and other improved variety like
lalat. In all these variety the yield has been doubled though there were various
limitations in following all the principle of SRI paddy cultivation.
He also emphasized on the problem which was faced during the implementation
of the SRI method of paddy cultivation during the kharif season due to the
irregularity of rainfall and also on the complete drying of the paddy field.
Moreover during the milking stage due to non availability of water there has
been effect in the yield. Initially there has been problem to change the mindset of
the farmers. Inadequate availability of organic compost and the quality of
compost was also one of the problem faced by the farmers. Some of the fields
were not properly leveled. It has been found that in many cases the field leveling
leaves certain pockets within the field that does not drain out completely. This
was due to the leveling equipments that are in use presently. It has also been
observed that the SRI fields where a spacing of 10inches was maintained, only 2
mechanical weeding (cono weeder/ Japanese weeder) is possible whereas in
fields where 1 feet spacing has been maintained 3 or more than 3 weeding is
possible. Its effect on the productivity will have to be ascertained. With all these
Mr. Singh concluded by saying that though there were problems but the result
was entertaining and the yield almost doubled by practicing this method of
paddy cultivation.
After Mr. Singh’s presentation a small introduction session was called by Mr.
Ram Lal. In this session all participants gave a brief introduction about their
organization’s and experience on SRI technique.
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14. Dr. B.N Singh,
Director Research, BAU1, Ranchi
Dr. B.N singh in the introduction session said that
Birsa Agriculture University has been involved in
several researches on SRI technique. They are also
disseminating the information on SRI techniques.
BAU is also providing training and front line
demonstration in several villages with the help of NGOs on SRI.
According to Mr. Singh “Shankar Dhan” seed Variety is suitable for SRI
cultivation because production is high and seed cost is also less. According to
him, how to improve the production and productivity should be the main
concern for all farmers, NGOs and GOs.
Prof. Dr. T.M. Thiyagarajan
Ex-Director Agriculture
Tamilnadu Agriculture University
Dr. T. N Thiyagrajan, Director Agriculture,
Tamilnadu Agriculture University has been playing
a crucial role in SRI cultivation, since 2000 in the
state of Tamilnadu. In his introduction he brought
the under mentioned points to the house:-
• According to him, at the beginning stage the acceptability of SRI
techniques was low, but after different field proven example SRI is now in top
agenda of Tamilnadu government, covering 7.5 lakhs hectare of land. Toady the
production of rice under SRI has shoot up to 14 tones per hectare.
• Today all electronic media are also projecting SRI in their programmes.
• SRI technique is working as an effective tool for water conservation in
Tamilnadu.
1
Birsa Agriculture University, Kanke, Ranchi
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15. • SRI beneficiaries should be marginal farmers, because this technique
engaged all the family members of marginal farmers, saving the cost of
production.
• SRI technique is only increasing the yield but also preventing the wastage
of seed and lowering the labour cost. Thus seed saved through this technique is
providing food for one month to the needy farmers.
• Due to SRI technique farmers can easily bye the seed because the quantity
of seed used in this technique is less.
• Weeding is also easy in this technique.
• SRI motivating the farmers to adopt a new technique and thus injecting the
element of experiment and research at field level in their mind. The result is that
they are coming with valid and authentic information.
Mr. Arbind Kumar
Mr. Arbind another spokesman, mentioned that in
Jharkahnd, our politician has not been convinced
with the SRI technique as yet. He put stress on
expansion of this technique in all parts of Jharkhand
with one aim of food security. At present the
production of food grains in Jharkhnad is 24 lakhs MT i.e. just half of the
required food grains.
Jharkhand is divided into three agro climatic zone and 33%-42% lands are
uncultivable in this zone. In Jharkhand plenty of water is available but attention
is not being paid to preserve and store water .Due to runoff water top soil
erosion is also taking place in Jharkhnad.
In Jharkhand, the acceptability of SRI amongst farmers was slow at the
beginning. But after some successful case story, the acceptability of this SRI has
increased but still have to go a long way to keep it in practice by the current
farmers and also to replicate it with other farmers.
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16. The farmers of Jharkhand had some delusion regarding the SRI technique. They
thought that seed was the main factor for high yield. Now it is high time to
remove this delusion from the mind of the farmers of Jharkhnad and emphasize
that it the simple technique, which is doing the miracle.
Mr. Viren Lobo, ED, SPWD
Mr. Viren Lobo, Executive Director, SPWD, raised some important issue with
regard to SRI and their implementation in Jharkhnad.
• He said that, due to SRI cultivation yield has been increasing in Jharkahnd
and SPWD is keeping an eye on these changes.
• He pointed out that there should a thorough investigation on the fact
about suitability of different kinds of seed to different kind of lands. For this he
emphasized the necessity of correct situational and locational specific research
for SRI.
• He stated that due to SRI cultivation
paddy yield has increased up-to 50% and it is a matter
of investigation that how it is going to affect the
livelihoods of farmers? What are the livelihood
opportunities available for farmers within the
village and how to address the migration issue with food security is also an
important aspect of SRI. He stressed the need for more research with regard to
this issue. SRI will provide another supplement of livelihoods to farmers.
• SRI is to play an important role in the Food security. If we can ascertain a
rough estimate of the yields of a particular type of land,the concerned farmer
may be suggested a supplement livelihood.
• He also discussed about the water conservation in Jharkhand. Due to tube
well irrigation ground water level is going down every day. SPWD is caring
much to maintain the ground water table. SRI is linked with this vital issue. He
gave emphasis to develop a holistic understanding of food security in Jharkhand.
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17. Shri. K.C Shashidhar, C.G.M NABARD
Mr. Ram Lal Prasad has invited honorable chief guest Shri K. C. Shashidhar,
C.G.M NABARD to address the house. Mr. Shashidhar congratulated SPWD for
providing an umbrella to all NGOs of Jharkhnad under its SRI promotion
program. He took the opportunity to explain the work of NABARD in the field of
development.
• He informed the house that NABARD has sanctioned research project on
how to implement SRI for Rabi Cultivation.
• He said that we have to look SRI cultivation
from other perspective as well. It is more then a
technical thing and according to him it should be
made a way of life for the farmers of Jharkhand.
Scientist has done tremendous work in simplifying
the SRI technology, and the scientific temperament has also picked up in this
area of Jharkhnad.
• He called up to make SRI technique a commercial success. For this he
stressed the need to link SRI with financial world. There is a need to develop a
relationship between financial world and SRI. There is sufficient fund available
with NABARD for convergence of SRI technique with the financial world.
• At present banking organizations and government officers of this region
are unaware about SRI techniques. So awareness creation among them is
necessary and NABARD is ready for this initiative with the help of NGOs.
• At present there is no fixed target for SRI coverage. Jharkhnad should
adopt SRI as a movement. We have to make plan to involve 21 lakhs farmers in
SRI movement. SRI technique didn’t find its due place, in the last year’s plan of
NABARD, but now NABARD is ready to give utmost importance to SRI
technique in its current plan.
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18. • NABARD has organized 1500 farmers club comprising of 1, 50000
members. He emphasized the need for the inclusion of farmers club with the SRI
technique.
• He suggested for commercial exploitation of food grains product under
SRI technique. Good packaging and branding will also help SRI products in
marketing. The consumer should also be made aware of the product under SRI
technique. NABARD is ready to help the NGOs and farmers in this matter.
• Information dissemination is also important agenda of NABARD. He
suggested exposure visit for farmers of Jharkhnad within state and outside state
and for which NABARD is ready to provide the necessary financial support to
NGOs.
• He advocated for constructive and positive publicity of different good
works & success story of SRI technique in Jharkhand. NABARD is ready to
provide financial assistance to NGOs for this publicity.
Second Session: Presentation by all organization
Second Session: Presentation by all organization
Second session started with sharing of experiences on SRI by the organizational
head.
Dr. B.N. Singh,
Director Research, BAU, Ranchi
The first presentation was delivered by Dr. B.N Singh.
He discussed and emphasized the importance of food
security at house hold level. He also discussed the
Drainage channel
different sources of livelihood, which can supplement
income of small and marginal farmers. These
activities are water harvesting and aquaculture, fishery, goat rearing, backyard
poultry, boiler poultry, floriculture and mushroom cultivation etc. Dr. Singh also
presented in brief the SRI cultivation techniques. He discussed preparation of
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19. wet bed nursery, seedling uprooting, drainage channel for use of excess water,
transplanting techniques, use of rotary weeder for root growth, use of hybrid rice
PA6444, use of plastic drum seeder for seeding sprouted seeds etc.
Mr. Ashok Kumar, PRADAN, Ranchi
Mr. Ashok had all the praise of SPWD for
spreading SRI technique among farmers with joint
efforts of 18 NGOs. He mentioned that Pradan
outreach for SRI Technique in Jharkhand is limited,
whereas SPWD is working to spread SRI technique
all through the Jharkhnad state. Mr. Ashok discussed in length the following
topic:-
• Why SRI?
• What and how we did it?
• Future prospect in context of addressing food sufficiency for poor farmers.
Pradan has been working with SRI technique in Jharkhnad since. The SRI
technique has high yield potential and it can attend food-grain shortage
problems. Toady 16000 families are associated with SRI technique for paddy
cultivation in 2112 hectares of land. He explained the successful completion
under Pradan. He narrated in detail the process of seed storge and treatment
technique, wet bed nursery preparation, lifting seedlings, how to make drainage
channel, transplantation, use of conoweeder etc. Community based organization
like Mahila Mandals are also part of this process. They purchased SRI tools and
give it on rent to other farmers.
While explaining the importance of participatory training methodology, he was
of the view that it motivates farmers become an
active participation rather then being a passive
participant.
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20. He said that in SRI, data collection is very crucial and must have means to
support the authenticity of data.
Mr. Ashok also advocated for multiple exposure for SRI farmers. Multiple
exposures give a look of various stages of crop growth. Multiple exposure team
can include local administration, local agriculture department officials and KVK
staff etc. At the end Mr. Ashok explained the future prospective of SRI in the
context of addressing food security.
Prof. Dr. T.M. Thiyagarajan
Dr. T.M. Thiyagarajan presented the experience of SRI in Tamil Nadu. He said
that water scarcity is a serious concern for agriculture in Tamilnadu. In this
regard, SRI was considered as an option to tackle scarcity and enhance rice
productivity. He explained that SRI progress in Tamil Nadu and SRI principle
adopted by the farmers. Under SRI the reduction in seed and seedling pulling
costs has been more appealing to many of the farmers. He suggested few
important points for community collective initiatives for nursery promotion as
well as for transplanting under SRI technique.
Suggestion
• Community nursery can be promoted
wherever possible or place is available
• Farmers can be advised to hand pick good
panicles from the SRI crop for their seed requirement.
• Nursery should be mostly supported with well decomposed organic
manures.
• Markers should be made easily available in areas where rope is not going
well with the planting laborers.
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21. • A transplanting machine modified to plant at 25 x 25 cm spacing will be a
boon in areas where labour scarcity is an issue.
• With transplanting machine, if 2-3 seedlings get picked up, 30x30 cm
spacing may be evaluated.
• Dr. Thiyagarajan discussed present water management system in
agriculture. He suggested some points,
• Emphasis on proper field leveling and providing field drainage lines
should be made in the training programes and included in the demonstrations.
• That the rice plant is not an aquatic plant should be registered in minds of
farmers through repetitive education.
He discussed about the importance of Gliricidia. It is a best organic source in SRI
and an ideal green manure crop. It grows on all kinds of soils in hill slopes,
coastal plains and low lying wetlands.
He concluded the session with the statement that “SRI has been successful in
yield increase, saving in cost of cultivation and several other benefits and this has
been recognized very well by the farmers. But, the real success will be when all
rice farmers understand that rice is not aquatic plant and contribute to total
reduction in water requirement for rice cultivation”.
Mr. Hemant Kumar
KGVK, Ranchi
The next presentation was delivered by Mr. Hemant
kumar from KGVK. In the brief introduction of
KGVK, he said that KGVK has been working in the
field of rural development in Jharkhand right since
from 1972. It is the CSR initiative of Usha Martin
Group of Industries in the state of Jharkhand. Gradually KGVK transformed
from a charity based organization to a professionally managed development
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22. agency over the last 8 years. Today, KGVK is influenced by corporate practices
and management.
The thrust areas of KGVK are Watershed development, education, health,
livelihood and capacity building. KGVK is working in Palamau, Ramgarh,
Ranchi, Saraikela Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand.
KGVK has started SRI promotion in Bundu & Namkum block in Ranchi district
with the help of CINNI (NGOs). He explained the processes followed by KGVK
in SRI.
• Garden Nursery Raising
• Single Seedling
• Early Transplantation
• Spacing
• Weeding with weeder
• Alternate drying and wetting
• Proper Harvesting
He said that, SRI technique encourages rice plant to grow healthy with large root
volume, Profuse and strong tillers, less water, long panicle, large no. of grains
per panicle, higher grain weight.
He also explained the new initiative for pest control called Trichocard, which is
in pilot phase in SRI. This technique has comparatively low cost of Rs.3.5 per acre
as compared to Rs.200/acre in Insecticide. It Check harmful insect by destroying
their eggs. Its coverage is 200 meters per card. It also preserves eggs for next
year. Tricho-card helps in conserving the bio diversity of the area.
He narrated the successful journey of SRI in KGVK. He explained how
community participation gradually increased in SRI. Toady KGVK intervening in
17 villages, working with 205 farmers in 200 acres of land. He said that in future
KGVK has targeted to cover 5000 acre of land for cultivation under SRI
technique.
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23. He put emphasis on value addition of the products right from the beginning.
KGVK is also developing 350 social entrepreneurs. Rice milling based
entrepreneur development is also one important objective under SRI technology.
Some important issues – raised by Dr. Thiyagrajan
Dr. Thiyagrajan pointed out that cross weeding is not an appropriate word. He
explained it, as an inter cultivation. Inter cultivation cuts roots of the plant and it
is called pruning of the shoot. It encourages the growth of the plants. He said
that when we do this operation, even there is water in plant, outside air mixes
with soil so some oxygen gets incorporated with the soil. It helps the immediate
growth of the plant. This operation is not very effective if done from one
direction. The growing condition of the whole plant changes because of the inter
cultivation. So inter cultivation should be done from both direction.
Lok Prerna (Deoghar)
Lok Prerna is working in 5 districts covering 20
blocks, 272 panchayats and 2893 villages. LP is
organizing SRI promotion program in 23 villages
with 257 farmers and 59.48 hectares of land. LP is
working on SRI with the Philosophy i.e. “The
potential of plant will only be realized if we provide the best conditions for their
growth. If we help plant to grow in new and better ways, they will repay our
efforts several times”
He put some critical points of SRI technique:-
• SRI cultivation requires some technical skill. It is difficult for farmers to
acquire such skill in short time.
• High energy to motivate farmers to change from old practices, and sift to
new practices as defined under SRI.
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24. Under SRI cultivation height of the plant has been measured 42.5 inch, average
length of panicle is 28 c.m. and the number of grains of hill was 6783. LP has also
developed the capacity of farmers on SRI through
different skill development training and exposure
programmes. Farmer fairs have also been organised.
Different community based organization like SHGs
and Mahil Mandal have been sensitized on SRI
techniques.
Strong networking has been developed with government departments. Different
government officer visited SRI plots and appreciated the work done by the
farmers. Committees like monitoring and review committee on SRI have been
formed. The successful results of SRI have been shared with farmers.
TRCSC, Jamshedpur
TRCSC, Jamshedpur an NGO deeply influenced this part of the session with its
important observation (Jamshedpur).TRCSC has been working in 3 districts i.e.
East Singhbhum, west Singhbhum and Saraikela Kharsasawan of Jharkhnad.
They have covered 7 blocks with 22 villages, 180 SRI beneficiaries and 86.34 acres
of land. They are implementing SRI project in different blocks with the
coordination of 6 partner’s organizations.
Different awareness generation programmes for farmers’ communities through
IEC material have been organized. Base line survey of 180 farmers was
conducted for comparing the existing production
and production earned using SRI technique.
Different training programme have been organized
for farmers, master trainers and programme
supervisor. High yielding Variety and traditional
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25. seed (IR 64, RMTU7002) have been distributed among the farmers to know the
yield comparatives.
As an outcome
• Total 235 farmers have been trained on SRI technique.
• Maximum farmers, who adopted SRI, are fully satisfied with its yield, and
they are ready to extend SRI technique in more paddy field in next year.
Different Critical situations had been faced by the organization like:-
• Few farmers were not properly convinced about promotion of SRI. So
organization had to change the beneficiaries list twice.
• In few areas due to delayed in Mansoon and erratic rainfall the seed bed
preparation and transplantation was affected.
• Spacing techniques was not maintained by
few farmers.
• Few farmers had not maintained water level
and due to this reason yield was affected in some area.
• The Farmers were not familiar with the 8-10 days seedling transplantation.
• FYM and others compost or fertilizer was not sufficiently used in the field
during transplantation.
• Due to lack of irrigation facilities, few SRI field became dry.
• Few plots were also affected by pest and insects attack.
Fr. John Dungdung
AROUSE, Gumla
Arouse Society NGOs has been working in Gumla district from several years.
Earlier when Fr. John Dungdung explained the SRI technique to the farmers,
they were not ready to accept this technique.
To implement SRI technique in field was a big challenge for AROUSE, because
target groups were traditional farmers and for them acceptance of new
technology on the basis of only theoretical discussion was not possible.
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26. When some farmers planted seedlings using SRI technique, one old farmer was
not convinced with the spacing technique used in SRI. He said that your crop
will fail. But after a few days when plant grew with full tillers, that old farmer
was surprised to see. The production was just more then double. This production
was an eye-opening for the rest of farmers. The seed used in this technique was
of traditional Varity. Slowly this technique will spread in other parts of the area
also.
AROUSE is preparing one lead farmer at village level. Different skill
development programmes and exposure visit have been organized for these lead
farmers. At present 10 lead farmers are ready to motivate others farmers to adopt
SRI technique.
Different government officer at block and district levels have visited SRI plots.
These plots are working as an eye opener for BDOs and Bank officers. They have
promised to help “AROUSE” for expansion of this technique in new area.
AROUSE has organized a small fair and in this fair some farmers were honored
for their good work in SRI. Electronic and print media also supported and had
given the full coverage to the successful story of SRI. AROUSE said that this
technique is spreading in all other part of the district in a very short period. In
coming year AROUSE is planning for expansion of
this technique to other part of district with the help
SPWD.
At the end AROUSE thanked to SPWD for its
technical support and also demand further technical
assistance and support for better result in future.
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27. Mr. Ganesh Neelam,
CINI CELL, SRTT, Jamshedpur
According to Mr. Ganesh Neelam , CINI is neither
doing direct implementation nor acting as funding
agencies but CINI is working along with the partners
NGOs.
Expressing himself Mr. Ganesh said that Jharkhand is
a paddy growing state and paddy is a stable crop for this area. Technology
adoption is key issue in the state like Jharkhnad were food is insecure for
majority of its people. If we compare it to south the acceptability of the
technology is more then Orissa and Jharkhnad.
Food security and SRI is the same thing and go side by side.
The issue of food security can easily be achieved through SRI technology.
Because the production is almost more then double. Data shows that with the
help of SRI today farmers are securing food for 12 moths.
Mr. Ganesh draw the attention to the fact that if the analysis of “annual food
security” of all farmers linked with SPWD is added, one can easily calculate the
days when food will be available for the farmers in one year.
CINI experiences say that food security provides an assurance to farmers and it
motivates farmers for second cropping and another livelihood intervention.
He said that coverage of farmers for SRI technique by all agencies in the context
of Jharkhnad is minimal. It is around 10-15% of the total farmers.
For mainstreaming or large scale expansion of this technology, linkages with
government departments are very important. Our approach should be such that
government should include this programme in its policy.
There is a need to link this technique with ATMA, and other government
programmes.
Process documentation of the SRI technique is also important. He concluded his
speech with great emphasis on the mainstreaming of the SRI in Jhnarkhnad.
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28. Dr. A.K Basu, SRI, Bariyatu, Ranchi
Dr. A.K Basu shared his experience with one
research conducted with 500 families with the aim
to find out the actual figure of paddy and rice
consumed by one family in one year. The finding of
the research says that one family requires on an
average 14 quintal of paddy and 1 ton of rice in a year.
He also shared his experience with other important research “how many farmers
have rice for 12 months”.
He said that all new agriculture technology is coming to India from America and
Europe. He discussed the relevancy and suitability of the said technology in the
context of India. In America, an average farming land holding is much higher
than India.
Indian farmer’s average land holding is very small. They are facing different
problems like low purchasing power and lack of irrigation facilities etc. These
technologies have been developed keeping in mind the situation of America and
other European farmers. So transfer of these technologies from America and
Europe is not feasible for the Indian farmers.
NGOs should not be concerned with productivity enhancement and national
food security. Their only concerned should be how to enhance the productivity
for small and marginal farmers in the available land. How to ensure availability
of agriculture input for them. And here SRI intervention is needed.
This technology is known in India 25 years back. But it is surprising that this
technology has not been approved or supported by the modern agro scientist of
the country for the reason best known to them. Since this technology involves
very little seeds, very little water and very little manure, it is futile to expect the
support of persons attached with government organization and business
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29. institution as it will adversely affect the commercial interest of the parties
concerned.
Dr Basu put emphasis on the use of traditional seeds in SRI technology, because
traditional seed are genetically strong in nature. He urged the farmers for
keeping traditional seed security with the help of SRI technology.
He said that marginal farmers should go for off- season farming. They should
produce “low productivity and high value crops”.
Dr. Ramesh Sharan, Economist, Jharkhand
Dr. Sharan discussed about the risk involve in
farming. Market and financial risk are main risk in
current scenario. The farmer’s perception for risk,
changes according to the situation. Farmers have
their own cooping mechanism to over come that
uncertainty.
He asked who is most insecure.
One study shows that 40% of the people in Jharkhnad are not getting their
livelihood from farming. Landless, small and marginal farmers are the most
vulnerable section regarding the food security. Some tribal are living in the slope
of mountain, are also facing food security problem.
Today all NGOs are taking strong and well to do farmers for SRI, because the
percentage of success is high and visibility in front of funding agency is easy. So
section of the community adopting SRI technology is also an important factor.
He asked one valid question that from where people are accessing their
livelihood. It is very important to explore different option available for livelihood
under food security. Every family should get food according to their needs. He
gives greater emphasis on the right based approach for the poor.
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30. In Jharkhand, agriculture extension services are very poor. So we should give
emphasis on the improvement of extension services. He summarized his
presentation with the need of technological support to our farmers.
Second Day
Second Day
Second day started with the recap of the earlier day session by Mr Sanjay.
Mr. Viren Lobo in his second day’s speech made important observation when he
said that we should attach great importance to the problems which are directly
coming from the field experience. Those authentic and well experience problems
ought to be discussed here. Only then the importance of this platform will be
proved.
Mr. Pran Ranjan laid great stress on the practical problems involved in the
implementation of SRI technology. We should discuss all problems here.
Practical thing should come out of it. We should promote SRI keeping in mind
the experiences that we have in field.
After this important comment an opening session was organized. Some farmers
participated in this session and shared their view on SRI technique.
Farmer’’s experience sharing on SRI
Farmer s experience sharing on SRI
A farmer from Chainpur Dumri area of Gumla
district narrated the success of SRI technique in his
village. He said that father John Dungdung called
24 farmers and after explaining the SRI technique
motivated them to adopt it. Only 13 out of 24
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31. farmers could venture to sow the seeds as per the technique of SRI. But their way
of sowing seeds surprised the other villagers. Who had every doubt about the
success of this technique? But after 10-12 days when they saw the paddy plants
and their rapid growth, they could not believe their eyes. This had miraculous
effects upon the farmers of that region, SRI technique got success in second grade
land.It produced 40 maunds in 50 dismal lands. If the farmers don’t sell this
product, they will have food for the whole year.
Positive Points:
• AROUSE, Gumla was giving the handholding support and monitoring
day to day development with all sincerity.
When the farmers were asked, how could he venture to accept the SRI
technique? He replied that we the traditional farmers are not expected to accept
the new things (New and modern technique) at once. It requires some time to be
convinced. Moreover farmers having small holding are still reluctant to accept
the new technique because of risk involved in it.
Ramanand Manjhi a beneficiary of Chetna Vikas,
along with 32 farmers were informed about SRI
technique during the training process. He said we
all were surprised to know that only ½ kg of seeds
was required for 1 acre of land. I got convinced to
this and adopted it in my field. He said that at the beginning even other
members of his own family were not ready to adopt SRI. But he and his son
ventured to sow the seeds, according to the SRI technique. After 12-15 days when
the villagers saw the rapid growth of the paddy plants in that particulars piece of
land they could not believe their eyes. Ramchand informed that due to paucity of
water paddy crops was affected a little bit. Sufficient water would have yielded a
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32. bumper crops. His experience was that farmers should use their traditional seeds
to get effective results.
Amod Mandal was among the 45 farmers came to know about SRI technique
through video show. Out of 45 farmers only Amod was ready to follow the new
technique. But he had to face the opposition of his father. After 12-15 days, when
paddy plants grew to a size unbelievable, all farmers were amazed. The new
technique produced 9-10 quintals of paddy in 25 dismal only.
Hari lal Bhandari village Hindivili of Ormanghi village block sowed the seeds
according to SRI, technique in the teeth of opposition from his family.
Unfortunately his brother could not identify the seeds in the field and he
ploughed the field with the help of a tractor. This destroyed the seeds sown
earlier. But not disheartened by this Bhanari again sowed the seeds following SRI
technology. As a result he had doubled the production and now his entire family
is in favour of following SRI technique in 4 acres.
Manki Yadav of Palampur Vivek Sahyog, managed to get double of the
production in 20 dismals. This motivated 43 farmers to follow this technique in
their “Garma” crops.
Problem:-
• He had to face problems because of the non availability of manure.
• There was no rain and no irrigation facility.
Group Discussion
Group Discussion
After the open session, a group discussion was organized. All participants were
divided into three groups and one topic was
assigned to each of the groups.
• SRI approach for expansion at large scale-
Group -1
• Strategy for going organic- Group -2
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33. • Convergence for efforts on SRI- Group- 3
The main objective of this exercise was to build a common understanding and
future action plan for this technique.
Presentation by Group 3
Following points have been presented by this group:
• Training and exposure –for different organization and farmers. This
activity will play an important role in convergence of the SRI. Networking with
different government organization like ATMA, NABARD, DRDA, KVK, MKKY
will be of great help in this regard. These organizations have huge fund for
training and exposure visit for farmers and organization.
• Conoweeder, Rotary – Technical support can also be obtained from
DRDA, ATMA, MESO and NABARD.
• Inputs support (Seeds, organic manure, Trico-card) – It was also
suggested that we can help farmers by providing
input support to them with the help of different
government organizations.
• Media – Media is playing an important role
in expansion of SRI. Different NGOs are working in same area, but they are
unaware about the activities of each other. So media can be of some help by
publishing some successful case study for the beneficiaries. Thus there is a need
to develop a networking with media at district, block and village level.
• Develop a networking at block, district and state level with SRI promoting
agencies. Different community based organization have formed at village level.
• BAU and Research organization – Networking with the research
organization to know current knowledge.
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34. • Irrigation – linkages of SRI with NRGES/wasteland, soil conservation
department, MESO and minor irrigation will also help to reduce the irrigation
problems of farmers.
Presentation by Group 2.
Group two made presentation on “Strategy for going organic-
Following points came out from the discussion:-
• In the first year 50% farming will be done
through organic farming.
• Research on Organic farming with local
method and preparation of document on it.
• To develop local method for preparation of
organic manure.
• Ploughing of field in time, so that grass can be used as organic manure.
• To arrange different capacity building programme for promotion of
organic farming.
• To build networking with government.
Use of Organic farming with the traditional seed will also increase the
production.
Mr. Lobo said that 100 % organic farming is not possible. We should also look for
the supplementary of the organic farming. Gradually we will shift to organic
following a slow process.
The production of grass is also increasing. So how we should promote cattle
raring and ensure organic farming through it is a matter of study.
Dr. Tyagrajan suggested for SRI along with the Gliricidia. He said Gliricidia is a
best source for manure.
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35. Presentation by Group 3
Group - 3 in its presentation on “SRI- approach for expansion at large scale”. The
group has presented the following points:-
• Awareness campaign for farmers as well for government officer should
also be organized.
• Different capacity building programmes for small and marginal farmers
should be organized.
• To organized Exposure trip and local fair, for farmers at local and outside
the state.
• Formation and capacity building of community based organization on SRI.
• To organize farmers interaction.
• To develop IEC material at local level and in local language.
• Compilation of data and dissemination of data at each level should also be
ensured.
• To look SRI as a commercial point of view.
• To promote crop insurance under SRI technology.
• At policy level provision of budget for SRI development.
• Expansion at three level ground level.
Dr. Thiyagrajan suggested on the community nursery development with single
water resources. He said that we should have trained manpower resources for
planting. The farmers can also share the available resources among themselves.
The quantity of production is different from other paddy using SRI, so marketing
of SRI Rice can be an effective way to motivate farmers to adopt this technique
and its commercialization. He said the community SRI will pull the available
resources available at village level.
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36. Mr. Lobo said at least one farmer should be ready from each village. The main
crux area of SRI technique is, farmers should understand the scientific approach
behind this method. Farmers should have command on the technical logic of SRI.
How we use this technique on different land is also important aspect of SRI.
What are issues on different land? Practical experiences related to these things
should also be documented properly.
What are the relationship between the land and seed, seed and water and
fertilizer is an important thing in this technique.
At the end, Mr. Ram Lal invited four chairpersons to sum-up the workshop.
Dr. Tyagrajan said “how SRI could be a tool for food security”
• Coverage of 10 million hectare under SRI will also save 500 thousand tones
of paddy seed. It is promoting seed security also.
• Convincing farmers on SRI is the most difficult thing. So how we convince
to them is an important issue.
• Campaign SRI protion with the Gliricidia as an organic manure.
• Try to promote community SRI.
A.Y Khan
• Jharkhnad topography is conducive for SRI. He said how we promote SRI
in the most degraded land could be an important aspect for the project.
• He gave emphasis on the adoption of the processes in SRI by the farmers.
Dr. R.P. Singh
• SRI has grate potential to solve the problem of food insufficiency.
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37. • We are comparing SRI production with traditional seed and improved
seed. So we need to understand the responses of seed type in relation to the
place, where it is grown, as it is a very important for SRI promotion.
• Water / seed management is very important component in SRI. But this
component doesn’t suit Jharkhnad farmers.
• Recommendation to farmers should be given according to their available
resources and capacity.
• For convergence of SRI, it is necessary that all government organization
should come on one stage. We should influence those people who are involved
in policy making.
• We should also practice SRI in summer rice cultivation.
• He suggested that don’t give blind suggestion of organic farming. He
suggested that, organic farming should be promoted on selected varieties and in
selected area.
Mr. Viren Lobo
Mr. Lobo said that we should talk about 5 types of security; food security,
Fodder security, Bio diversity security, Energy security and Livelihood security.
• We should also promote green manuring in Jharkhnad.
• In SRI intercultural operation should be given more emphasis.
• What is the role of SRI in livelihood prospective? And what is the
relationship of SRI with other sources of livelihood.
• How others government programees are linked with SRI and how others
government programmes should be conversed to promote SRI?
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38. • How we replicate the success of SRI in Jharkhnad under the conditions and
what is the corresponding result of it.
At the end of the workshop Mr. Pran Ranjan gave vote of thanks to all
participants for their active participation and making the program a success.
38