Emerging Experiences with SRI in Rainfed

Tank Irrigation Systems

Bhagyalaxmi S WASSAN

www.wassan.orgwassan@eth.net

Tank Irrigation : Situation• Traditionally, paddy in Andhra Pradesh is grown

under tank systems • Traditionally-defined command areas under

tanks are reducing1. Siltation & insufficient water in flows2. Breaches in bunds & maintenance problems3. Salinity

• Paddy area is shifting to bore wells (from tanks)• Stagnant / declining paddy yields• In recent times, tanks are filling up with high-

intensity rains due to changes in rainfall pattern

• SRI is taking root as a major option for raising and sustaining rice productivity with less need for water and purchased inputs.

• Farmers’ interest in SRI: Complete the crop in maximum possible area within the season

• Increase command area (within the larger command), i.e., increased area under tai bandi

• No water shortages at the end of the season• Lower input costs with yield increases

SRI - A Potential Solution

Experience. .

S. NO

Subject 2007 -Rabi

2008 - Kharif

2008- Rabi

2009-Rabi

Remarks

1 Number of tanks

1 2 3 11 Contiguous area in demos with incentives. Fast spread & less drop-outs

2 Number of farmers

15 92 48 189

3 Acres 7 113 29 525

4 Total area 7 142 525+207* (732)

*In addition to tanks, 207 acres area under bore wells shifted to SRI in 2009 Rabi

Key elements of SRI In Tank Irrigation Systems

1. Irrigation systems to be redesigned • Present design is for inundation• Re-design for wet & dry system of irrigation• Neerugatti (water distributor) needs to reorient

his irrigation schedule / knowledge

2. Block approach– Large area in one pocket – requirements

• Labor skill-building• Equipment - need timely availability• Handholding support

Key Elements……(Contd...) .3. Defining the command area for the season..

• Demarcation of the area to be taken under SRI, based on water availability (tai bandhi)

4. Custom hiring center• Ensure timely availability • Markers and weeders for SRI are used once and thrice in

a season respectively • Providing implements with subsidy to every farmer is not

economical

5. Establishing NPM shop & pest management• Timely availability of NPM inputs• Pest surveillance• Pest management

6. Labour subsidies

Incentives to Farmers from ATMA - 2008 Rabi

S.NO Activity Rs / Acre

1 Labor in weeding

(50% subsidy)

450

2 Neem powder 450

3 NPM shop 100

4 Total 1,000

Incentives are needed for up to three seasons on a tapering-off basis

S. NO Variety Soil

Tillers/m2 Panicles/m2

Grain yield (t/ha)

Grain yield (Q/ac)

SRI Conv. SRI Conv SRI Conv. SRI Conv.

1 MTU-1010 Sandy loam

256 303 238 280 6 5.21 24.5 21

2 Tellahamsa Saline 252 286 230 271 5.1 4.47 20.3 17.5

Crop Cutting & Field Days

Cost of cultivation & net profits

Subject SRI (Rs) Conv (Rs)

Land preparation 2,800 2,800

Seed 45 450

Labour (8) 400 750

DAP-75kg 750 750

Urea -50Kg 310 310

Weeding 600 1,000

Harvesting 420 420

Tractor hiring charges 450 450

Threshing 1,200 1,200

TOTAL COST 6,975 8,130

Irrigation - alternate (hrs) 3 7

Yield (bags) 39 32

Quintals 27.3 22.4

GROSS PROFIT 25,389 20,832

NET PROFIT 18,414 12,702

Departure. .

• Input subsidies• Demonstrate &

expect to diffuse• Trainings• One-season demos

• Area approach• Community-based

institutional arrangements• Skill building of labor• Subsidies for specific

constraints• Three years duration

Conventional approach

WASSAN’s

approach

Strategy and approach in NFSMand APDAI model

Parameter NFSM Based on WASSAN’s experience

Approach Scattered demonstrations (0.4 ha per 100 ha)

Block or contiguous area

Vehicles Hybrid rice and SRI SRI

Prime movers

Agr. ext. workers & scientific establishment

Farmer-led

Packaged Input-centric Confidence & skill building

Contd. .

Parameter NFSM Suggested…

Subsidies Going to companies and manufacturers

Direct cash subsidies to farmers or labor subsidies

Support Correcting for micro-nutrients deficiencies

Correcting the soil health

Equipment Centrally supplied – one type for all areas

De-centralized – locally suitable

Subsidies -equipment

Individual farmers Custom hiring center & individual farmers

Key Elements in Promotional Strategy

• Group / Block approach where an area is targeted for conversion of SRI over a period of three years rather than small area ‘demonstration’ models with few farmers.

• A field-level facilitator to anchor the process

Conti. .

• Custom hiring centre for implements

• An NPM-inputs shop to provide inputs for non-chemical inputs for managing insect pests and also to make inputs more easily available

Conti. .

• Training skill-building labor in nursery bed preparation, transplantation, and weeding

• Provision of incentives/ finances through a community-based organization, where the local stakeholder organizations and farmers have greater control in the identification of elements and delivery of subsidies

Thank You