SEVAI/PVF –Rice cultivation recorded a Paddy grain yield of 3,892.7 kg/ha, 28% higher than from the conventional farm.

SEVAI-PVF: Rice cultivation project by Women Self Help Group women in Trichy District

Cultivating a single kilo of rice requires 5,000 litres of water. India has over 24 million hectares under irrigated paddy, so imagine all the water required. If the system of rice intensification were to be applied on all this land we would be able to cut water requirement for paddy by 50% and simultaneously boost rice production by 50%.    SEVAI in partnership with PVF had adopted the system of rice cultivation that requires half the water needed for conventional rice cultivation, increases per acre grain yields by at least 50%, also eliminated the need for chemical fertilisers, cut seed requirements by up to 95% and yet make rice cultivation more sustainable and profitable for farmers of SEVAI target area in Trichirappalli District. The solid facts before we reject one of the most remarkable developments in agriculture in recent times, workable, and there is a rapidly building body of evidence in its favour, the system have huge implications also for water resource development as it entails considerable water saving for water-intensive crops like rice. The system of rice intensification (SRI) is a new and evolving alternative to conventional methods of rice cultivation. In this method, rice seedlings are transplanted early, eight to 12 days old compared to 21 days in the conventional method. They are transplanted in un-puddled condition; the seedlings are widely spaced up to 20, 25, 30 or even 50 cm apart, the fields are alternately kept wet and dry; they are not flooded until the panicle initiation stage 1-3 cm of water in the field during the reproductive phase. The field is drained 25 days before harvest and organic manure is used as much as possible. at least two weeding are necessary, more are recommended. It provides better growing conditions in the root zone, save inputs, improve soil health and optimise water use efficiency. Water depth on the SEVAI/PVF -SRI farm is being maintained at 2.5 cm, with alternate wetting and drying cycles up to the panicle initiation stage. The farm was flooded to the same depth thereafter until harvest. The SEVAI/PVF -SRI farm recorded a grain yield of 3,892.7 kg/ha, 28% higher than from the conventional farm. -Govin