Crop yield is 20 per cent more per acre
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of paddy cultivation is becoming popular in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The farmers were trained by the Agriculture Department as they had to handle water and manpower shortage.
S.K. P. Suresh, panchayat president of Keelasuryamoolai in Tirupanandal block, has set an example and shown that seedlings for the SRI cultivation can be raised in the house itself or on the terrace. He has raised seedlings on a mat (polythene sheet) placed on his terrace upon which soil is sprayed for transplanting.
He created soil beds on mats, sowed seeds and watered them every day. The seedlings have come out lush green in the form of blocks.
Less water
“I have raised seedlings on 80 such mat blocks which is adequate for transplanting on seven acres of land. I used only two kilos of seeds for sowing in an acre. I am going to transplant the seedlings within 14 days. Water requirement has become very less,” says Suresh.
He has become a model for other farmers in the block. Out of 55 revenue villages in the block, 45 villages follow the SRI method.
Tirupanandal block is nearing 100 per cent SRI method of paddy cultivation. It has also become an impact area, i.e., impact of a demonstration spreading to the entire block.
Under the SRI method, yield will also be high, 20 per cent more per acre, compared to normal methods, say the Agriculture Department representatives. The aim of the Department is to popularise the SRI method in the district.
This is a technology adoption to overcome water and labour shortage. It comes in handy to raise seedlings using a mat, which is called Madagascar method of paddy cultivation, in houses. Farmers get profits due to high yield.
