System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

SRI is worth deep consideration for any agro-based economic development because it represents an agroecological strategy that enhances food production and contributes to food security while at the same time improving the natural resource base on which agriculture and other human activities, as well as life itself, depend – the rhizosphere, biosphere and atmosphere.

With SRI methods, farmers have seen that ‘less can produce more’ if biological processes are understood and capitalized upon: (1) Smaller, younger rice seedlings become larger, more productive mature plants when combined with other SRI practices; (2) Fewer rice plants per hill and per m2 give higher yield when used with other SRI practices; (3) Half as much water can produce more rice because aerobic soil conditions are more supportive of root health and plant growth than are anaerobic (hypoxic) conditions; and (4) Greater output is possible with fewer or no chemical inputs because these increase plants' susceptibility to pests and diseases.

All of the major rice-producing countries in Asia have begun working with these alternative methods for managing plants, soil, water and nutrients to get higher yields (50-100%), saving water (25%-50%), saving seed (80-90%), and even labor (as much as 10%).   

The China National Rice Research Institute in Hangzhou began evaluating SRI. Since extension of SRI had begun in 2004 by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture (PDA), with 1,120 ha, the PDA reports that 657,000 ha have been cultivated in the province with an average yield increase of 1.64 t/ha, which has added 1.04 million tons of paddy to Sichuan farmers’ production, with less cost and less water. The Zhejiang PDA has recorded 688,000 hectares of paddy land cultivated with SRI methods since 2005. The average yield increment of 1.25 t/ha that the PDA has calculated has added 862,000 tons to the province’s production, all with a reduction in costs and water as in Sichuan.

In specific agronomic terms, SRI farmers report the following advantages accompanying higher yield and profitability: (1) Drought resistance; (2) Resistance to lodging; (3) Reduced time to maturity; (4) Resistance to pests and diseases (which can probably be explained by the theory of trophobiosis proposed by Francis Chaboussou in 2004; (5) Conservation of rice biodiversity. Perhaps the most interesting development with SRI is the extrapolations that farmers have been making of its concepts and methods to other crops besides irrigated rice, e.g., upland (rainfed) rice in the Philippines; finger millet (ragi) and sugar cane in India; and winter wheat in Poland.

Sustainable Rhizosphere Improvements & Innovations (SRI²)

The rhizosphere (root zone) is our next frontier. Improving the rhizosphere will produce healthier, pest-resistant crops, higher yields (organic food gets better price as well), furthermore saves water and mitigates greenhouse gasses that contributes to global warming. AgroEcologic provides tools and skills to navigate through the multifunctional aspects of industries and manage the complexities to achieve profitable sustainability.

The ‘Green Revolution’ as the 'quick fix' of modern agriculture for the past few decades was premised on two main strategies: (a) Changing the genetic potentials of plants and animals, and (b) Increasing the use of external inputs - water, chemical fertilizer, insecticides, etc. But it has not adequately addressed the long-term effects of these huge agrochemical and water inputs on the environment. A more 'ever-green' revolution is found in agroecological management that aims in particular to: (a) Promote the growth and functioning of root systems, which are the interface between plants and their soil environment, and (b) Increase the abundance, diversity and activity of soil organisms, which provide many benefits and services to plants. Having well-developed root systems and active soil biota can reduce water requirements and the costs of production, among other benefits. Training in the skills for innovating Sustainable Rhizosphere Improvements, including System of Rice Intensification methodology that increases rice yield (as well as other cash crops), reduce water usage, reduce costs, planting in a wide range of terrains, and earn better price for farmers. This farming methodology reduces atmospheric release of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). CO2 release is reduced by not burning and by locking carbon in the soil with zero-till technology. By not flooding paddy fields, root decomposition and CH4 is reduced. By using organic fertilizer, composting and friendly microorganism, release of N2O gas is also reduced.