Policy Consultation on System of Rice Intensification: Learnings and Strategies

A summary of the deliberations on SRI among various stakeholders, organized by the NCS, highlighting the importance of engaging the scientific community in proving the rigour and robustness of SRI as a method of crop management.

Context And Objective

I n the current state of the Indian economy, with rising overall prices, the food and nutrition security of households, specifically of small and marginal farmers, has become critical to achieve inclusive growth. With a continuous decline in the total factor productivity, attaining sustainable food security is becoming a challenge in itself. In this scenario, the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is fast emerging as a sustainable alternative to enhance productivity even as natural resources are preserved. Some of the state governments have proactively supported the practice, with major initiatives from civil society organizations and indeed the farming community has accepted this practice in large numbers across India. However, as is the case with any new initiative, SRI too is being questioned along various dimensions on its scientific veracity. It is, therefore, critical for multiple stakeholders to deliberate together and come to a consensus about how to enhance scientific understanding of the technology, streamline the practice including capacity strengthening and educate policy makers for developing focussed actions around SRI. Against this backdrop, the National Consortium on SRI (NCS), which is a network of like-minded institutions and individuals engaged in promoting SRI, conceived this policy consultation. This consultation was organized with three major broad objectives:

• Update stakeholders on the activities and achievements of the National Consortium in the past three years, with support from the RRA network.
• Reach out to policy makers and explore ways of evolving partnerships with the agriculture ministry in the central and the state governments, especially in the rain-fed areas.
• Strengthen linkages with the stakeholders and expand the Consortium.