The concerted efforts of promoting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a technique of paddy cultivation to gain maximum yield with less water, have resulted in bringing more than 70% of paddy area covered under the method.
To popularise the method, which is being actively promoted by the State Agricultural Department, Collector T. Anbalagan had formed a core team led by Joint Director of Agriculture K. B. Jayanthi. Almost all Agricultural Officers and Assistant Agricultural Officers were roped in to bring as many paddy fields as possible under the SRI cultivation and it has brought about a significant improvement in area coverage.
During the current samba season, a total of 11,135 hectares have so far been brought under the paddy cultivation as against the target of 17,050 hectares. Of the 11,135 hectares, paddy crop has been raised on 8,546 hectares under the System of Rice Intensification method. It is more than 70% of actual paddy cultivated area.
“It is a significant achievement. SRI is a proven method of paddy cultivation to maximise yield with less water and overhead. It is a good sign that farmers are ready to shun the traditional method of cultivation to adopt modern methods,” says Mr. Anbalagan.
Ms. Jayanthi said that as against the normal practice of transplanting paddy in about 30 days, transplantation under SRI could be carried out in 14 days. The method could reduce water use by 30 to 40%. As against 20 kg of seeds for raising nurseries under the traditional method, just three kg of seeds was enough to raise paddy on an acre. She said line planting would ensure quality tillers and good aeration. Sufficient spacing between seedlings would keep pest attacks under check. It was easy to clear weeds by cono-weeder. Ms. Jayanthi said that efforts would be taken to bring almost all farmers of system and lift irrigation in the district under the SRI method next year.
L. P. Subramanian, a farmer of Uppidamangalam, said that he had raised TKM-13, a medium term paddy variety, on an acre of land. Proper aeration and spacing between seedlings had enabled healthy growth of paddy crop and had reduced the usage of fertilizers and pesticide.
