Proposal to Government of India for funding support

1. System of Rice Intensification Capacity Building for Field Adoption Proposal to Government of India for funding support

2. System of Rice Intensification • SRI – a package of agronomic approach to improve rice productivity through • Optimization of input use especially seed • Effective management of irrigation water • Low cost interventions for weed management • Adoption of IPM and INM with emphasis on organic input application Simple , environment friendly, input saving, yield enhancing, low cost interventions aimed at cost optimization and profit maximization

3. Capacity Building • Need • Awareness, Motivation, training & capacity building & handholding services at field level • Focus on small and marginal farmers Initiatives hitherto • Efforts are on by Line Departments, Research Institutes, NABARD, KVKs and NGOs since its introduction • Initiatives were sporadic / confined to a few districts and States • Significant impact of initiatives by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), WASAN and PRADAN

4. Capacity Building: NABARD’s Initiatives • Grant assistance of Rs. 63.77 lakh for capacity building of over 6500 farmers in 10 States • Active involvement of DDMs in knowledge dissemination and credit planning • Focus on SRI in the pilot project launched for augmenting productivity of lead crops • Sanctioned a grant cum loan assistance of Rs. 22.35 crore for SRI adoption in 20000 acres by Farmers’ Groups in Karnataka under UPNRM • Distribution of publications in vernacular through Farmers’ Clubs

5. Capacity Building: Strategies • Impart training to Farmers’ Club members to perform as Master Farmers in innovative technologies including SRI • Empowerment of partner agencies • Exposure visits for farmers • Sensitization of field functionaries of banks on the concept and credit need assessment • “Credit Plus” support

6. Proposed Model Programme Unit - Features • Developed based on the successful Model of SDTT supported programme and feed back from other partner NGOs like PRADAN and WASAN • Each model unit to cover 400 farmers in 16 villages during first year and 560 farmers subsequently • One SRI Facilitator covering four villages and one Project Coordinator to provide on-site guidance and assistance to the farmers.

7. Model Programme Unit Physical coverage • *To stabilize at 224 ha from fourth year • Demonstrative effect to motivate more farmers

8. Model Programme Unit Components & Financial programme Rs in lakh

9. Implementation Aspects • Replication of 150 models in 14 States identified based on potential, on-going programmes • Focus on small and marginal farmers, share croppers • Implementation through NGOs with past experience • Involvement of line dept., Research Institutes and KVKs in training and capacity building • Active involvement of Famers’ Clubs, Farmers’ Interest Groups

10. Monitoring & Documentation Role of NABARD • Monitor the progress through DDMs and ROs • Periodic review of progress reported by partner agencies through specifically designed MIS • Mid term review • Documentation of quantifiable benefits covering all farmers in the Model Unit by the Partner Agencies through specifically designed formats • Coordinate with agencies like SDTT in monitoring & documentation of success stories

11. Expected Outcome • Expected Outcome at the End of Third Year • Outreach -84,000 farmers adopting the technology. • Area Coverage under SRI -28,800 ha (coverage in the first and second years at 7200 ha and 14,880 ha respectively; Demonstrative effect likely to bring more area coverage) • Productivity - An increase by 15 to 25% depending on locations (to be validated through documentation)

12. Funding Pattern • Programme Implementation with effective convergence of similar development initiatives of Government of India • No. Of Model Units : 150 over 14 States • Proposed Funding Pattern for consideration (Rs. in crore)

13. Thank You