World Vision Lanka Experience with the

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) at the Grassroot Level

by Sudesh N. RodrigoProgramme Manager,

World Vision Lanka Willuwa ADP17.03.2008

“Thambapanni sarabumi”

World Vision Lanka’s Wanathawilluwa & Karuwalagaswewa Area Development Programme (Willuwa ADP) has focused its operations since 1997 in Wanathawilluwa & Karuwalagaswewa DS Divisions in Puttalam District, SriLanka

Willuwa Economic development project The “Thambapanni sarabumi” programme

aims to uplift the livelihoods of 3,000 families throughout the area within a 3-year period.

“Thambapanni sarabumi” Cont…..

Until 2007 Yala season, all farmers have been using conventional methods of paddy farming relying on irrigation water.

By focus group discussions and mid-term project evaluation, we found that economic and social gains from such kind of endeavors created low profit margin for farmers, and farmers cultivated paddy mostly for their household consumption.

Table 2: Total Production and Productivity of SRI (Maha 2006 & Maha 2007)

District Location/DS Division

Total production Obtained

(Kgs)

Productivity obtained(Kgs/acre)

Farmgate price

obtained(Rs/Kg)

Total value generated

or expected to be

generated (Rs)

Monara-gala

Thanamal-wila

58,135 37.5 Rs 35 2,034,725

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a Pilot Project in Willuwa ADP (using indigenous seed paddy)

Identified the problems related to conventional paddy cultivation by using cause-and-effect method.

Translated identified problems into achievable objectives and did goal/outcome/output analysis, proposing appropriate activities & developing logical framework for the pilot project.

Formed two movements representing both DS divisions, for organic paddy cultivation using indigenous varieties.

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a Pilot Project in Willuwa ADP (using indigenous seed paddy) Cont…..

Identified well-experienced resource persons & trainers.

The pioneer team was comprised of 24 selected farmers.

Organized all trainings & exposures step-by-step. Established a mechanism to provide the indigenous

seed paddy varieties to farmers on lease basis through Willuwa Rural Development Service Societies.

Prepared a post-harvest action plan with the Federation of Willuwa Rural Development Service Societies.

Table 1: Farm Size of SRI – Maha 2007/08

Farm size (acres)

Number of SRI

farmers

Total number of acres grown

Produc-tivity of paddy

(Kgs/acre)

Total production

(MT)

< 0.25 - -

0.25- 0.5 7 3.50

0.5 - 1 14 4.75

1 - 2 3 4.25

2 < - -

Table 2: No. of Acres Grown and No. of Farmers Involved in SRI Rice Production

DistrictLocation/

DS Division

Number of

acres grown

Number of farmers involve

d

Variety of seed

paddy used

Duration of

variety

(mo.)

Puttalam

Karuwala-gaswew

a

½ 1 Suwadal 2/½

1½ 3 Madathawalu

3/½

1¼ 4 Kuruluthuda

3

- - Kaluhinati 3/½

- - Pachcha- perumal

3/½

Wanatha-willuwa

1 ¼ 4 Suwadal 2/½

3 4 Madathawalu

3/½

1 ½ 2 Kuruluthuda

3

¼ 1 Kaluhinati 3/½

3 ¼ 6 Pachcha- perumal

3/½

Table 3: Total Production and Productivity of SRI

District

Location/DS

Division

Total produc-

tion obtained (Kgs)

Produc-tivity

obtained

(Kgs/acre)

Farmgate price obtaine

d(Rs/Kg)

Total value

generated or

expected to be

generated (Rs)

Putta-lam

Karuwalagaswe

wa

3410 kgs

2 Rs 35 Rs 35

Wanathawilluw

a

Impact of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a Pilot Project in Willuwa ADP…cont.

Economic Impact

In the case of indigenous paddy farming in SRI system, farmers get higher harvest than the conventional paddy cultivation even if they practice just a few of the practices for SRI:

E.g., wider spacing of planting, reduced water applications, and/or

adopting organic fertilizers Farmers have a good opportunity to produce their own seed

with high quality with features of pure & unmixed seed, high planting ability, and healthy seed.

More adaptation of traditional indigenous knowledge, integrated with SRI system, can increase the productivity when harvesting.

Can minimize land preparation costs by application of100% organic fertilizers, by several times.

Impact of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a Pilot Project in Willuwa ADP…cont.

Cultivating indigenous paddy under SRI system supports food security by upgrading storing capability of harvest without applying any chemical preservatives, high capacity for adaptation to weather and climatic conditions (e.g., mavee,) and soil conditions (e.g., salinity, marshes )

Cultivating indigenous paddy under SRI system and using organic fertilization creates a higher market price.

Reducing water application for paddy through SRI enables additional crop cultivation using irrigation water saved.

Impact of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a Pilot Project in Willuwa ADP…cont.

Social Impact Emerging new farming culture with feature of

continuous upgrading, innovation, and in-field research.

e.g., cultivating different varieties, testing different methods, grassroots awareness.

Collective skills of the households are directed to their own development.

Paddy farming is a system that has to change, and farmers should begin to move from conventional paddy farming.

Impact of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a Pilot Project in Willuwa ADP…cont.

Environmental impact Genetic purity of the varieties is perfectly

maintained Conserving ecosystem diversity in the paddy

fields. e.g., Minimum land preparation

Farmers have their own traditional practices

(technologies) which can increase the paddy harvest and protect the environment.

Expansion of Pilot Project

Goal of transforming a minimum of 500 acres of paddy fields from conventional paddy farming to SRI system by the end of year 2011.

Training at least 10 grassroot-level knowledge experts and trainers to promote the System of Rice Intensification.

Expansion of Pilot Project

District Location/DS

Division

No. of acres

expected to

be grown

Number of

farmers

involved

Variety of

seed padd

y used

Duration of varie

ty (mo.)

Puttalam

Karuwalag-aswewa

27 ¾ 60 - 3 to 3-1/2

Wanatha-willuwa

48 ¼ 69 - 3 to 3-1/2

Total 75 86

Table 4: Expected Cultivation of SRI (Yala-2008)

Media clip

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