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Dr. Biksham Gujja Policy Advisor, Global Freshwater Programme Gland, Switzerland

Scaling Up SRI The Need for a Major Strategic Shift for Ecologically Sustainable Rice Production in India. Dr. Biksham Gujja Policy Advisor, Global Freshwater Programme Gland, Switzerland 5 th October 2007, Agartala, Tripura. Water: A global challenge.

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Dr. Biksham Gujja Policy Advisor, Global Freshwater Programme Gland, Switzerland

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  1. Scaling Up SRIThe Need for a Major Strategic Shift for Ecologically Sustainable Rice Production in India Dr. Biksham Gujja Policy Advisor, Global Freshwater Programme Gland, Switzerland 5th October 2007, Agartala, Tripura

  2. Water: A global challenge • 1.1 billion people presently without safe water supply • 2.4 billion people without sanitation • 3-10 million deaths from waterborne diseases • Ecosystem are being rapidly destroyed • Most species-rich ecosystems are in the greatest danger and decline

  3. A water-scarcity crisis • 70% agriculture • 20% industry • 10% urban use WWF LPR 2002 Eradicating malnutrition by 2025, with current productivity, would require additional diversions of water “close to all the water withdrawals at present”, according to IMWI & SIWI

  4. Percentage of area under irrigation in A.P.

  5. Water Conflicts in India • Driving water demand • Rural areas are dumping grounds • Water conflicts are simmering and occasionally erupt in violence

  6. Last three years… WWF getting infected!! • Evaluating SRI and establishing that it really works • Excitement over large numbers of tillers and grains • Some indication of significant water-saving potential • Some adoption by farmers, but still not widespread

  7. SRI: From Hyderabad to Agartala? • Lot of awareness among politicians, farmers, others • Civil society and government collaboration • SRI practiced in almost all the states to some extent • Some solid research is being done • Independent confirmation • Tripura has progressed with clear targets

  8. SRI: From Hyderabad to Agartala? • Still at national level, very small percentage of area covered • Major rice-growing states are not able to push SRI to the greater extent • Water-saving has not been clearly measured and quantified • Still some scientists and professionals are critical • Some have gotten infected, but SRI is not spreading fast enough, and even some are dis-infected!

  9. SRI presents an opportunity, but major challenges lie ahead • Informing the rice research establishment • Proper information and extension • Research, monitoring and evaluation • Modifications to irrigation infrastructure • Assured power supply enabling farmers to manage their crop with less total water • Potential link to climate change documented • Partnerships of many kinds to be formed

  10. Rice Yield (t/ha) in India District-wise during 2004-05

  11. India – China Comparison for Rice Area and Production

  12. India – China Comparison for Rice Paddy Yield

  13. Mini-mission good start, but not ambitious enough?? • 11 mt increase by 2012 • Goal of improving productivity on 20 m.ha. by 500 kg/ha – is this enough? • Allocation of Rs. 12,000 crores (Rs. 2,500/ha -- US$ 700) • SRI is one of the most promising interventions, but how to be spread? what to be done? where? and with whom?

  14. Targets for infection…20 (or 10) by 2020 for 200 • 20 m.ha under SRI management by 2020 • To produce 200 mt of paddy • Rs. 20,000 crores investment • Cost: Rs.2,500/t production, or Rs.1,300/y/5y • Average: 5 t/ha with irrigation; with SRI, 6 t/ha • Can India achieve this?? • India needs a big, ambitious and practical approach. The question is HOW??

  15. Conclusions • Need major strategic shift • Very ambitious mission • Rs. 20,000 for five years • Direct support to farmers • Target of 200 mt increase • Save 100 billion cubic m. water • SRI one option, but a major one • Save money and ecosystems

  16. Some Publications on SRI

  17. Thank You Let’s Achieve Quickly “More Rice Per Drop”

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