System of Rice Intensification (SRI): An Approach towards Enhancement of Productivity and Water Use Efficiency
Water is a critical resource for agriculture and among the crops grown in India, rice is a major food grain crop that is widely cultivated throughout the country. Given that rice requires large amounts of irrigation water, it is necessary to adopt cultivation methods that minimize water use and improve water efficiency. This study assesses the potential of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to make improvements in current rice agriculture with regards to both agronomic production and irrigation water efficiency. The study highlights the remarkable increase in rice yield and farmer income achieved in the country, along with a significant reduction in irrigation water, labor, and seed rate through the use of SRI techniques. It was found that SRI method yields 7-20% higher grain compared to traditional irrigated transplanted rice in different agro-climatic regions of the country. Potential cost reductions in water and energy may be used not only to further the adoption of SRI, but also to drive systemic changes in the irrigation system, enhancing the productivity of rice and encouraging the use of machinery in rice production.