Experiences of Farmers in India Experiences of Farmers in ... - AgSri

Farmers’ Experiences
SRI fields gave yields of 6.5- 7.5 tonnes from 6 acres, which is almost double than
the conventional system.
Innovations and modifications
Aluminium tray, which was used for rubber latex setting, was used to carry seedlings
from the nursery to the main field. As rubber is grown in most of Kerala, the use of
Aluminium trays is found ideal for transporting seedlings.
Benefits
Reduction in the required seeds to the tune of 1/10 th of the quantity. Similarly, 1/10 th
of the area earlier required for nursery is only required. Planting of young seedlings
in wider spacing did reduce the drudgery involved in uplifting the seedlings,
transporting and planting. Weeding with the use of Rotary Weeder helped in turning
up of the soil and reduced the time taken for weeding. There was reduction in pest
and disease incidence in SRI field. With SRI, the yield was doubled in the same
piece of his land by reducing the inputs used.
Constraints in adoption
The decision to shift to SRI cultivation created lot of uproar among other paddy
farmers of his area (Nellanad Padasekhara samithy), as he was the president of
that paddy growers association. After the planting, every one termed it as a foolish
decision to do this suicidal act of planting young seedlings so early. Constant
support and supervision from the staff of Mitraniketan KVK, helped him to overcome
the criticisms faced in the beginning. After 1-2 months, the same people who had
criticized started closely observing the growth of paddy in his field. On an average
there were 40 tillers with more grains per panicle.
Lessons learnt
Nursery of young seedlings in wider spacing reduces the drudgery involved in
uplifting the seedlings, transporting and planting.
Weeding with Rotary Weeder reduces the time taken for weeding.
There was reduction in pest and disease incidence in SRI field.
State Agriculture department authorities got convinced by his success and
granted a project to expand the SRI method of cultivation to 25 acres of his
Padasekhara samithy. Ministers, staff of agriculture university, students and
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