1. 2 nd Symposium on SRI Directorate of Rice Research Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500 030 Dr. S.V. Subbaiah Principal Scientist (Agronomy) & Head, Crop Production 3 – 5 October, 2007 Preliminary evaluation of SRI in Fiji for enhancing rice production Agartala

2. RICE IN FIJI In Fiji, now rice is a common food for all ethnic groups and the per capita consumption rose from 64 to 75 kg. Based on last 6 years of import data (2000- 2005), Fiji is importing about 33,720 tons of rice for consuimption on average, costing $F19.55m. Between 2005 and 2007, the government aimed to increase the rice production by 7,500 tonnes valued at $F3million by spending $F2.3 million through the Rice Revitalization Program. Paradoxically, the contribution of the agriculture sector to Fiji’s GDP has declined for the last several years, from 25% to 12% and the share of Rice to the GDP is very low. Also, the self-sufficiency ratio of rice declined from 65 to 20%. This situation shows that government should take immediate measures to strengthen the rice revitalization to make the country self- sufficient in rice.

3. Rice Scenario in Fiji DetailUnit200020012002200320042005Areaha4,8967,6285,1406,2025,6646,076 ProductionTonnes12,23919,07112,85115,50414,16115,189 Output value $,0005,7006,5004,4005,3005,6007,595 FarmersNo.7,1407,1407,1405,0985,0986,707 Ave. farmgate price $/kg0.470.340.340.340.400.50 Import quantity Tonnes38,61928,52227,49533,95536,10737,500 Local product converted to rice equiv. Tonnes7,343.4011,442.607,710.609,302.408,496.609,113.40 Total imports and local production Tonnes45,962.4039,964.6035,205.6043,257.4044,603.6046,613.40 Import value $,00016,17419,23118,66918,98622,33821,943 Self- sufficiency %15.9828.6321.9021.5019.0519.55

4. Months Mean Maximum (°c) Mean Minimum (°c) MeanTemperature (°c) (°c) Rainfall (mm) No. of Rainy days Humidity (%) January31.122.026.6312.921.678.6 February31.123.627.4237.521.679.2 March30.923.627.3355.921.680.8 April30.123.626.9396.523.280.8 May29.222.025.6151.218.081.2 June27.520.924.2190.518.280.8 July26.820.123.5147.217.880.6 August26.419.522.9192.315.879.0 September27.220.023.8205.615.277.4 October28.021.024.6210.515.874.0 November28.622.025.3203.618.076.0 December30.023.426.6294.021.276.8 Weather Data (Average of 2001-05), Koronivia Research Station

7. PracticeSRIICMLRP Seed qualityCertified Seed rate (kg/ha)5 kg5-1040 NurseryField nurseryModified mat nursery Conventional Seedling age (d)10 (2-leaf stage)15 (4-leaf stage)25 Seedlings/hill11-23-4 Plant spacing25 cmX25 cm20 cm X 20 cmRandom Plant geometrySquare Random Gap fillingWithin 7 DAT Mechanical weeding As recommended -- 2-3x (10,20 & 30DAT) 2-3x (15, 25 and 35 DAT) Hand weeding twice IrrigationIntermittent irrigation Continuous submergence Nutrient application Organic + inorganic (50:70:70) Organic + inorganic (50:70:70) Inorganic alone (50:70:70) Comparison of SRI with ICM and Local Recommended Practice (LRP)

8. S. No Parameter Farmers method ICMSRI C.D (0.05 %) 1Plant height (cm)99100101NS 2No. of productive tillers/hill18926427259 3Length of panicle (cm)23.825.424.2NS 4No. of grains/panicle163154156NS 5Grain yield (t/ha)5.27.27.10.11 6Straw weight (g)4.95.86.20.80 7Harvest index (HI)51.455.353.3 Performance of Rice (Uttam) under SRI during Main Rice Growing Season at KRS

9. slides Experiences

10. National Food Security Mission Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Target Area T.P. Area T.P. Target 05-06 06-07 2012 102 Rice43.66 91.79 43.7 91.05 102 83 Wheat26.4869.35 28.17 73.70 83 16 Pulse22.3913.39 23.76 14.11 16 Path-Breaking New Programmes to Transform Indian Agriculture

11. Actual yields are almost at par to achievable yields in high productivity in irrigated ecology Actual yields are almost at par to achievable yields in high productivity in irrigated ecology Technology for breaking yield ceiling has to be generated Among the natural resources, water is becoming increasingly critical Among the natural resources, water is becoming increasingly critical Water-saving technologies to be developed and tested on priority basis Cost of cultivation has become prohibitive Cost of cultivation has become prohibitive Alternative cost-efficient technologies need to be tested Rainfed ecologies, particularly uplands and favourable shallow lowlands, are yet to witness a real yield breakthrough Rainfed ecologies, particularly uplands and favourable shallow lowlands, are yet to witness a real yield breakthrough Varietal improvement needs greater thrust Hybrid rice technology a field reality but Hybrid rice technology a field reality but Hybrids with higher magnitude of heterosis for irrigated areas and hybrids under long-duration group for rainfed ecologies are need of the hour Genetic base of the HYVs/hybrids is quite narrow Genetic base of the HYVs/hybrids is quite narrow Proper assessment and corrective measures urgently needed Brain Storming Session on AICRIP : A Re-look,10 April 06 (Facts & Tasks)

12. AICRIP TRIALS ON SRI AT GLANCE (2004 – 06)Year No. of locationsSig.NSSRIICMSC % increase yield 2004221841614412 20052622411836.5 200627216137415

13. AICRIP RESULTS (04-05) Multi-location trials conducted during 2004 and 2005 on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method, evaluated in comparison with normal transplanting (NT) and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) methods. Grain yield recorded under SRI was significantly higher under SRI compared to NT at 53% of the locations, while it was similar to ICM at 33% of locations. Higher grain yield under SRI was recorded in diverse soil types, with wide range of soil pH (6-8) under different regions which could be associated with increased number of panicles per unit area, biomass and panicle weight. However, the cultivars used had significant inter- action with method of cultivation at 28% of the locations. Rice hybrids responded better than varieties. Normal transplanting with wider spacing nor SRI method with older seedlings did not enhance grain yield significantly. It is also observed that SRI could be adopted successfully even under late transplanting conditions. Conclusion SRI appears to be more promising in terms of grain yield although gains observed were genotype- and location-specific. Further studies are required to confirm these results.

14. AICRIP RESULTS (05-06) Results of 27 multi location trials show significant variations among SRI, ICM & CRC In Southern Zone, SRI & ICM performed better (1-23%) over CRC at CBC, ADT, RNR & MND In Western Zone, SRI & ICM recorded (4-7%) higher yield over CRC. In Northern Zone, CRC was found better than SRI & ICM methods. In Eastern Zone (PTNA, TBR, KNP, RAN), SRI & ICM were superior to CRC. In Hill Zone, only at Khudwani, Umiam and Arudhatinagar SRI was found superior. Conclusion It is confirmed that SRI methodology is location- and genotype-specific under same date of sowing and planting.

15. Target = 3000 FLDs in 14 states Achievement = 2883 (96.1%) Technologies demonstrated: Varieties (Gitesh – 58% more yield) Hybrids (K332 – 65% more yield) SRI method of cultivation: 28% yield advantage, 70% less seed, 30% less water Management of saline soils -- important Drum seeder – promising innovation IPM in rice Frontline Demonstrations 2005

16. Japanese rice cultivation V-shaped rice cultivation Taiwan rice cultivation SRI cultivation Integrated Crop Management Emphasis on water management Types of Rice Cultivation

17. Work Plan/ Strategies Genetic enhancement of food crops Genetic enhancement of food crops Improvement for tolerance Improvement for tolerance Improve levels of nutrition (Vitamin A, Zn and Fe) Improve levels of nutrition (Vitamin A, Zn and Fe) Fertilizer strategies for farmers & organic farming Fertilizer strategies for farmers & organic farming Digital extension service to farmers (ADT) Digital extension service to farmers (ADT) Studies on global warming and evaluation of crops under open air (elevated CO 2 levels) Studies on global warming and evaluation of crops under open air (elevated CO 2 levels) Modern POPs and GAP for quality & safety Modern POPs and GAP for quality & safety At all levels, invoke dormant propensity to serve farmers and poverty-stricken people with new technologies At all levels, invoke dormant propensity to serve farmers and poverty-stricken people with new technologies

18. “Agriculture technology and innovations by scientists outstripped the Malthusian population growth theory in India.” Convincing finding -- that holds good for Fiji too. Delineate or identify areas & genotypes that are good for SRI in India. Encourage SRI in small holdings with priority for medium/long duration varieties/hybrids. Conclusions