Economic and Ecological Benefits of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Tamil Nadu

The paper has quantified the benefits of SRI over non-SRI practices of rice cultivation in Tamil Nadu. The SRI practices have been found to save inputs substantially and to increase returns. Higher return has been attributed to increase in production as well as substantial reduction in cost of cultivation. The most impressive are the savings in water (22-39 per cent ) and seed (92 per cent). The organic supplementation due to green manuring and weed incorporation, enhanced soil microbial activities and aeration, use of solar energy and time saving due to early transplantation, are some of the uncommon advantages of SRI. The women employment in specialized operations such as transplanting, harvesting and weedings can lead to gender equity. The estimates of technical efficiency using DEAP has clearly shown that SRI is more technical and economic efficient. Upscaling of SRI strategy will help achieve national as well as household food-security.