Scaling Up SRIThe Need for a Major Strategic Shift for

Ecologically Sustainable Rice Production in India

Dr. Biksham GujjaPolicy Advisor,Global Freshwater ProgrammeGland, Switzerland

5th October 2007, Agartala, Tripura

Water: A global challenge

• 1.1 billion people presently without

safe water supply• 2.4 billion people without sanitation• 3-10 million deaths from waterborne

diseases• Ecosystem are being rapidly destroyed• Most species-rich ecosystems are in

the greatest danger and decline

A water-scarcity crisis

• 70% agriculture

• 20% industry

• 10% urban use

Eradicating malnutrition by 2025, with current productivity, would require additional diversions of water “close to all the water withdrawals at present”, according to IMWI & SIWI

WWF LPR 2002

Percentage of area under irrigation in A.P.

Percentage of area of irrigation for Ten crops

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03

Year

Per

cen

tag

e (%

)

Rice

Sugarcane

Groundnut

Cotton

Maize

Chillies

Turmeric

Coconut

Tobacco

Onions

Jowar

Water Conflicts in India

• Driving water demand• Rural areas are dumping grounds• Water conflicts are simmering and

occasionally erupt in violence

Last three years… WWF getting infected!!

• Evaluating SRI and establishing that it really works• Excitement over large numbers of tillers and grains• Some indication of significant water-saving potential• Some adoption by farmers,

but still not widespread

SRI: From Hyderabad to Agartala?

• Lot of awareness among politicians, farmers, others• Civil society and government collaboration• SRI practiced in almost all the states to some extent• Some solid research is being done• Independent confirmation• Tripura has progressed

with clear targets

SRI: From Hyderabad to Agartala?

• Still at national level, very small percentage of area covered• Major rice-growing states are not able to push SRI to the

greater extent• Water-saving has not been clearly measured and quantified• Still some scientists and professionals are critical• Some have gotten infected, but

SRI is not spreading fast enough,

and even some are dis-infected!

SRI presents an opportunity, but major challenges lie ahead

• Informing the rice research establishment

• Proper information and extension

• Research, monitoring and evaluation

• Modifications to irrigation infrastructure

• Assured power supply enabling farmers

to manage their crop with less total water

• Potential link to climate change documented

• Partnerships of many kinds to be formed

Rice Yield (t/ha) in India District-wise during 2004-05

India – China Comparison for Rice Area and Production

India - China Comparison Graph for Rice, Paddy Area and Production

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001

Year

Production (1000Mt) India Production (1000Mt) China Area Harv (1000Ha) India Area Harv (1000Ha) China

India – China Comparison for Rice Paddy Yield

India - China Comparison Graph for Rice, Paddy Yield

0

1

2

34

5

6

7

1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001

Year

Yie

ld (

t/h

a)

Yield (t/ha) India Yield (t/ha) China

Mini-mission good start, but not ambitious enough??

• 11 mt increase by 2012• Goal of improving productivity on 20 m.ha. by 500 kg/ha –

is this enough?• Allocation of Rs. 12,000 crores (Rs. 2,500/ha -- US$ 700)• SRI is one of the most promising interventions, but

how to be spread?

what to be done?

where? and with

whom?

Targets for infection…20 (or 10) by 2020 for 200

• 20 m.ha under SRI management by 2020• To produce 200 mt of paddy• Rs. 20,000 crores investment• Cost: Rs.2,500/t production, or Rs.1,300/y/5y• Average: 5 t/ha with irrigation; with SRI, 6 t/ha• Can India achieve this??

• India needs a big, ambitious and practical approach. The question is HOW??

Conclusions

• Need major strategic shift• Very ambitious mission• Rs. 20,000 for five years • Direct support to farmers• Target of 200 mt increase• Save 100 billion cubic m. water• SRI one option, but a major one• Save money and ecosystems

Some Publications on SRI

Thank You

Let’s Achieve Quickly

“More Rice Per Drop”