Full form of SRI - System of Rice Intensification - urstewatia.com
Full Form of SRI
SRI - System of Rice Intensification
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What is SRI in Agriculture
SRI stands for System of Rice Intensification. It is an innovative methodology for growing rice that was developed in the 1980s by a French Jesuit priest, Father Henri de Laulanié, in Madagascar. The SRI approach involves certain agronomic practices that help to increase the productivity of rice crops while reducing the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
The key features of the SRI approach include planting young seedlings singly at wider spacing, managing soil moisture carefully, and using organic fertilizers. The method involves planting fewer seedlings per hill than traditional methods, using younger seedlings, and planting them at wider spacing to allow each plant to grow more robustly.
SRI also involves transplanting seedlings when they are younger, preferably when they are 8-12 days old, rather than when they are 20-30 days old, which is typical for traditional methods. By planting younger seedlings, the plants are better able to adjust to their new environment and establish a stronger root system.
SRI also emphasizes the need for careful soil moisture management, using intermittent flooding and draining rather than continuously flooding fields. This helps to create an aerobic soil environment that encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms while reducing the growth of anaerobic microorganisms that produce methane.
SRI has been successful in increasing rice yields and reducing input costs in various countries. The method has been adopted by farmers in over 60 countries, including India, China, Cambodia, and Tanzania, among others. SRI is regarded as a sustainable alternative to traditional rice cultivation practices and has been promoted by various national and international organizations.