Effect of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) on rice yield in Bangladesh, Boro Season, 2005-2006

In an on-going effort of the FoSHoL project of ActionAid Bangladesh to evaluate the farmers’ perception and effect of system of rice intensification on the yield, 85 farm families of Tala, Satkhira Sadar, Biswamvampur, Noakhali, Ulipur and Koira Upazilla of Satkhira, Sunamganj, Noakhali, Kurigram and Khulna districts conducted the study in their own lands in a participatory action research approach in Boro season 2005-2006. Differences in yield, income and pest & disease incidence were compared between the plots under system of rice intensification (SRI) and farmers’ practice (FP). From the study, farmers obtained an average yield of 6.09 ton/ha from SRI plots that was 36% higher than farmer’s practice plots (4.45 ton/ha). The rice yield in SRI plot was found to be significantly different from FP plots at 1% level. On an average, gross margin from SRI plots was Tk. 38,650.29/ha, which was 148% higher than that from FP plots, 15,752.20./ha. (see Table 3.) The benefit-cost ratio calculated was found to be higher for SRI plots (2.3) as compared to FP plots (1.5). Overall costs of production were 12.7% less per hectare with SRI. .Number of effective tillers per hill was 25.06 and 14.52 in SRI and FP plots, respectively. Average plant height was 94.81 and 87.96 cm in SRI and FP plots, respectively. On average, panicle length of 24.20 cm and 21.29 cm. was obtained from SRI and FP plots, respectively. Average number of spikelets per panicle was 162.89 and 137.35 in SRI plots and FP plots, respectively. Average number of unfilled grains per thousand spikelets was 17.12 and 20.12 in SRI plots and FP plots, respectively. The average weight of thousand grains was 22.41 gm and 19.62 gm in SRI plots and FP plots, respectively (Table 6). The report revealed that the SRI plots were found better compared to control plots in cases of all rice varieties and geographical areas. Rice leaves were found to be affected by bacterial blight, bacterial leaf spot, brown spot and narrow brown leaf spot, while the tillers were found to be affected by sheath blight and sheath rot disease. Grain discoloration of seed was also found in both plots. However, SRI plots were affected in lower degree compared to the farmers’ plots.