The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : SRI method of paddy cultivation turns fruitful

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

SRI method of paddy cultivation turns fruitful

G. Srinivasan

This is a technology adopted to overcome water and labour shortage

— Photo: M. Srinath

Intensification: Farmer watering the seedlings sowed in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method on the polythene sheet on the terrace of a house at a village near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district on Wednesday.

THANJAVUR: The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of paddy cultivation is becoming popular in Thanjavur district. Training given by the Agriculture Department for farmers, particularly village presidents, has yielded results. Many have developed demonstration fields — a practice which is copied by others.

S. K. P. Suresh, panchayat president of Keelasuryamoolai in the Tirupanandal block, has set an example by himself. Following the training he has taken in the SRI, he has shown that seedlings for the SRI cultivation can be raised in the house itself or on the terrace of the house.

He has raised seedlings on mat (polythene sheet) upon which soil is sprayed for transplanting on seven acres of land. These seedlings have been raised on the terrace of his house.

He created soil beds on mats. Later, he sowed seeds. He used to water them every day. The seedlings have come out lush green in the form of blocks.

“I have raised seedlings on 80 such mat blocks which is adequate for transplanting on seven acres of land. I used very less seeds, only two kilos for sowing in an acre. I am going to transplant the seedlings within 14 days. Water requirement has become very less'', said Suresh.

He has become a model for other farmers in the block. Out of 55 revenue villages in the block, 45 villages follow SRI method. "Thus Tirupanandal block is nearing cent per cent SRI method of cultivation of paddy.

It has also become an impact area, that is, impact of a demonstration spreading to the entire block'', said P. Loganathan, Joint Director of Agriculture and G. Muthukoori, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Tirupanandal.

Under the SRI method, the yield will also be high.

Twenty per cent more yield will be taken per acre compared to normal methods, Mr. Loganathan said.

The aim of the Agriculture Department is to popularise the SRI method in the district.

This is a technology adoption to overcome water and labour shortage. “It comes in handy to raise seedlings using mat which is called Madagascar method of paddy cultivation in houses. Above all farmers get profits due to high yield, Mr. Loganathan said.

“Of the total area of 9,365 hectares covered under kuruvai so far in the whole district under pumpset irrigation, 3,700 hectares have been covered under the SRI method'', Mr. Loganathan added.

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