EVALUATION OF THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION IN BANGLADESH Prof. A. M. Muazzam Husain

1. EVALUATION OF THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION IN BANGLADESH Prof. A. M. Muazzam Husain BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh WRRC, Tokyo-Tsukuba, Japan November 4-7, 2004

2. What is SRI? • A system of irrigated rice crop management to significantly increase production through changes and integration of the management of rice plants, soil, water and nutrients. • Does not depend upon high-cost modern inputs • Reduces farmers’ costs of production • Helps make crop production more sustainable and is environment friendly • Easily accessible to resource-poor farmers • Enhancement of food security

3. Relevance to Bangladesh • Rice is main staple crop – 75% of cropped area • High density of population – small farm size, majority of farmers resource-poor • HYV adoption increased production – but yield growth has leveled out, with reduced profitability • Hybrid rice and biotechnology may increase productivity but dependent on high- cost inputs • Biotech is still a debatable technology, with possible health and environmental risk

4. Rice Sector Needs of Bangladesh • Substantial & sustainable increase in yields – to release land for high-value crops • Reduction in cost of production & increase in profitability for farmers • Reduced requirement for high-cost inputs like fertilizer, irrigation water, and insecticides • Environment- friendly sustainable agriculture • SRI has shown the potential to meet all of these needs of the BD agricultural sector

5. SRI Trials in Bangladesh • Started in 1999 after Bellagio Conference paper on SRI reached BD • Dept. of Agric. Extension (DAE) and NGOs conducted initial trials in farmers’ fields • BRRI conducted on-station trials • Trials in farmers’ fields gave encouraging results but BRRI on–station trials did not • Need for systematic evaluation -- PETRRA funded 3 sub-projects carried out over two consecutive Boro season trials (2002 – 2004)

6. Findings from PETRRA evaluations Sub-Project 36 02 • Implemented by 3 NGOs (BRAC, SAFE, POSD) and a private company (Syngenta BD Ltd.) • Participatory trials conducted in farmers’ fields in 4 districts, 8 sub–districts (upazila): in 2002-03, N = 487 farmers; in 2003-04, N = 791 farmers (plus 237) • Results for both seasons were found encouraging: • Number of participating farmers increased by 62% (111%) during second year • Area under SRI increased by 91%

7. AGRONOMIC FINDINGS • Tillers per hill were 95% higher during 1st season and 60% higher during 2nd season than under FP • Effective tillers were 94% and 122% higher during the 2 seasons respectively • Length of panicle 11% higher in both seasons • Weight of 1000 grains 14% – 18% higher

8. Fig. 1: SRI yield gains, 2002 - 03

9. Fig. 2: SRI yield gains, 2003 - 04

10. Table 1. Yield gains of SRI over FP

11. Fig. 3: Comparative net returns, 2002 - 03

12. ECONOMIC EVALUATION • Because of reductions in the cost of production while yield increased, farmers’ net returns were increased – more than 50% on average

13. Fig. 4: Comparative net returns, 2003 - 04

14. Table 2: Profitability increase with SRI

15. Perceptions of farmers on SRI • No. of farmers and area under SRI increased • Farmers confirmed increased yield from SRI • Did not face any major pest/insect problems • Thought that healthier SRI plants were more resistant to pests/insects • Larger no. of farmers used organic manure – but needed training on preparing compost • Faced irrigation management problems – these need community approach to solve

16. More perceptions of farmers on SRI • Partial SRI adoption was favored by many farmers in some areas – accepting easier practices such as early transplantation with reduced no. of seedlings and wider spacing • Difficult practices included: - applying compost or organic manure - alternate drying and wetting of fields • However, even partial adoption had definite positive effect on yield and profitability

17. Findings from Sub-Project 34 02 Implemented by BD Rice Research Institute (BRRI) with local NGO partner • Trials were conducted in farmers’ fields in one district (N = 20 farmers, then 35) • Results for both seasons were positive – no detailed data on 2nd season • SRI results were found to be better than both FP and BRRI practices

18. Table 3: Agronomic performance

19. Table 4: Comparative yields, returns, and BCR of SRI, BRRI and FP

20. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE • SRI yields and net returns were 49% higher than FP and 4% higher than BRRI • Farmers’ perceptions in the area toward SRI were positive; also many farmers started their own partial adoption of SRI • SRI was considered as specially suitable for resource-poor farmers

21. Findings from Sub-Project 35 02 Implemented by BRRI with NGO partner in three districts • Trials were conducted both on research station and in farmers’ fields (N = 32 farmers, and then 39 farmers) • SRI yields in one district were 17.5% higher than under FP during 1st season • In 2nd season, SRI yields were 13% to 20% greater

22. Further Findings from Sub-Project 35 02 • In the two other districts, 1st season SRI yields were less than FP, but then they were higher during the 2nd season • SRI costs were higher than FP in these trials: - Labour costs 19% higher - Irrigation cost 33% higher

23. Summary of SP 35 02 Findings • Average net returns from SRI were similar to FP • Many of the SRI practices were followed incorrectly, which affected the results • Farmers’ perception of SRI was reported to be mixed • However, farmer opinion was said to be universal in favour of ‘improved practices’ (modified SRI) • DAE and other extension organizations working with project are showing interest to disseminate SRI • Many local farmers have already started partial adoption of SRI • Report recommends further field verification of SRI

24. SRI NATIONAL WORKSHOP, 2003 • Seven papers presented - 3 by BRRI staff, and 4 by NGO/ DAE extension specialists • Two BRRI papers did not have much positive to report, but the 3rd was highly encouraging • NGO/ DAE papers found encouraging results • Gap between views of scientists and extension specialists was apparent • The farmers present expressed firmly positive views on SRI

25. WORKSHOP RECOMMENDATIONS • Initiate integrated and coordinated approach to evaluation and extension involving farmers, scientists and extension workers ( GO/NGO) • Conduct further trials and experiments on SRI to determine its potential in BD • Seek donor assistance for the above

26. Some Limitations of SRI and Evaluation • Trials were conducted for a short period • Lack of proper understanding of SRI • In some cases, faulty application was made of SRI practices • Lack of organic manure • Problems faced in irrigation management • Proper weeding not done to save costs • Cost-effectiveness required in weeding

27. OVERALL FINDINGS ON SRI IN BD • Overall experience shows encouraging picture • Agronomic findings are favourable – with more tillers, effective tillers, larger panicles, more filled grain, etc. • Grain quality was also found to be better • Yield increases were significant in most cases, up to 49% higher than yields with FP • Profitability was much higher, up to 82% more • Farmers’ perception was highly positive; many also have adopted partial SRI on their own • Extension personnel (GO/NGO) have positive attitude • Some scientists have taken a positive attitude, some others are still skeptical – no consensus

28. CONCLUSION • SRI has shown its potential for improving yield and profits of farmers in Bangladesh • Gap still persists between results of researchers on-station and farmers’ fields • Further trials and experimentation on various aspects of SRI are needed • Government and donor support for more SRI trials can be well justified • GO/NGO collaboration is also needed

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