Evaluation of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

Conducting participatory action research with farmers and district level line agencies for demonstrating, disseminating and scaling up SRI

PARDYP pilot tested SRI in the Spice Crop Development Centre (SCDC) at Tamaghat, Kabhrepalanchok in 2002. The positive results led the technique to be tried out in 25 farmer’s fields in 2004 to evaluate whether SRI was technically feasible in the Himalayan middle mountains. Based on farmers’ interests and to promote SRI systematically, PARDYP organised interaction programmes between farmers who had and had not used SRI, village level group discussions, farmer-to-farmer visits and farmer-led on-site monitoring and evaluation in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Problem

• Lack of systematic on-farm research for developing a technology that takes into account farmers’ needs
• Weak institutional collaboration for technology development, dissemination and scaling up
• Poor soil fertility, limited crop production, and poor irrigation facilities

Objectives

• • To demonstrate and evaluate the innovative SRI technique under local conditions with land users’ participation
  • To inform farmers about the basic concepts, associated principles, and technical know-how related to SRI
  • To share knowledge gained on SRI with a wider audience
  • To scale up the innovation across larger areas

WOCAT database reference: QA NEP15

Location: Jhikhu Khola watershed, Kabhrepalanchok district, Nepal

Approach area: 111 km²

Land use: Annual cropping

Climate: Humid subtropical

Related technology: System of rice intensification (SRI), QT NEP15

Target Users: Land users, Extension workers, Planners

Compiled by: Madhav Dhakal, ICIMOD

Date: August 2006

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