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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. What is SRI?.
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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
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
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
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
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)
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%
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
ECONOMIC EVALUATION • Because of reductions in the cost of production while yield increased, farmers’ net returns were increased – more than 50% on average
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
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
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
Table 4: Comparative yields, returns, and BCR of SRI, BRRI and FP
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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