Why Do Farmers Adopt or Dis-adopt? SRI – A Short Report from the Field
The System of Rice Intensification has made its presence felt in the Indian agriculture scenario, by its fast speed and the promise to “ grow more with less”. Yet there has also been a lot and reports of disadoption. This preliminary report of a research lays out a number of reasons, predominantly rainfall failure related for farmer drop-outs.
Introduction
I n India, rice is grown on 44 million ha of land, producing approximately 90 million tonnes of rice, with an average productivity of 2 tonnes per ha. Rice occupies 46 per cent of the total area under cereal cultivation and contributes 47 per cent of the total food production. The annual production of more than 90 million tonnes is the highest contribution of a single crop to the total food grain production in the country. At the same time, India is the second most populous country in the world, with the population crossing over 1.2 billion in 2011, and the demand for rice is growing every year. It is estimated that in 2025 AD, the requirement will cross 140 million tonnes, to feed the increasing population. To sustain present food self-sufficiency needs and to meet future food requirements, India has to increase its production of rice by at least 3 per cent per annum. Rice, unfortunately, requires large quantities of water for cultivation and 1 kg of rice uses an astronomical 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water, depending upon the variety being cultivated. Owing to increasing water scarcity, some parts of India are shifting towards less water intensive crops. But is this shift desirable in the context of the growing food insecurity among small and marginal farmers, particularly in less endowed areas?
Rice is the most important staple food for a majority of the population; therefore, it warrants an alternative method of cultivation—one that utilizes less water and achieves higher productivity. Empirical evidence clearly indicates that cultivation of rice through the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) fulfills the dual objective of increasing the yield of rice two to three fold, as compared to the current crop yield level, and also conserves water. Having observed the merits of SRI, farmers worldwide have adopted the practices and have reaped its benefits. At present, more than a million farmers in India have adopted SRI. This agro-ecological innovation has the intrinsic quality to produce more with fewer inputs of seeds, water, fertilizer, pesticides and, often, labour. These advantages have attracted many farmers.