Bhutan activities - the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

The System of Rice Intensification
- SRI -

A collaborative effort of Association Tefy Saina and CIIFAD

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Bhutan

• Progress and activities	• Reports and articles
• Workshops	• Practical information

Overview
In 2006, Bhutan became the 28th country to report SRI benefits after Karma Lhendup, then with the Sherubtse College in western Bhutan, successfully conducted a set of replicated trials of SRI methods at three locations in Kanglung district. Trials led by Lhendup together with the College of Natural Resources of the Royal University of Bhutan and by Mahesh Ghimire at the Renewable Natural Resources Research Centre at Bajo continued during 2007 and 2008 (CNR report and RNRRC report), and were presented at a 2009 SRI workshop along with 2008 results from four districts where SRI methods were tried by Department of Agriculture staff. The MOA and DOA officials present gave full support to 2009 trials and planned a similar review at the end of the year to consider expanded experience and to plan for 2010 expansion. SRI experimental successes, including those at higher altitude, are detailed in 2009 Journal of Renewable Natural Resources - Bhutan articles on performance of four varieties under SRI at Lobesa and IR64 results in Wandgue and Punakha, with IR64 yields averaging 10.1 t/ha.

Progress and Activities

2009 Updates

Two 2009 SRI Articles Published in the Journal of Renewable Natural Resources - Bhutan
A June 2009 journal article shows yields of three improved varieties and one local variety were higher using SRI methods than those using conventional rice production practices in 2008 experiments conducted by Karma Lhendup and his colleagues at several sites in Lobesa. IR64 showed the highest yield performance (10.1t/ha) followed by Nyabja and Bajo Maap (9.7 t/ha each). Input cost for seed, fertilizer and water were also reduced with the SRI experiments. A second article in the June 2009 edition of the Journal of Renewable Natural Resources expands on IR64 trials in Wandgue and Punakha. (These results are also covered in earlier reports provided by Karma Lhendup below).

Workshop Reviews SRI Experience in Bhutan and Plans for 2009
A workshop organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture May 12 concluded that SRI results from the first three years warrant expanded evaluation and demonstration. The 2008 results from the College of Natural Resources of the Royal University of Bhutan (CNR report) and the Renewable Natural Resources Research Centre at Bajo (RNRRC report) were presented, along with reports from four districts where SRI methods were tried by Department staff during 2008. The average SRI yield of 4.315 t/ha compared with 3.163 t/ha was a 43% yield improvement, accompanied by less requirement for seeds and water. Reduced crop cycle, by as much as 15 days, as well as reduced infestation by a weed that badly affects rice crops in the region (Shochum). The MOA and DOA officials present gave full support to 2009 trials and planned a similar review at the end of the year to consider expanded experience and to plan for 2010 expansion.

• 2008 SRI Evaluation Results from CNR and RNRRC Completed
The two reports noted above were received early in 2009: 1) The final report on the trials done during 2008 on the experiment farm of the College of Natural Resources of the Royal University of Bhutan at Lobese and on a nearby farmer's field and 2) results from the Renewable Natural Resources Research Centre on its trials at nearby Bajo in 2008. Both reports indicated productivity gains with SRI methods, and show more benefit from SRI practices in this third year of SRI evaluations than in the first or second year.

The CNR's replicated trials evaluated four varieties, two Bhutanese improved, one IRRI improved, and one local. The average yield with SRI practices was 8.7 t/ha vs. 6.85 t/ha with usual (improved) methods, a 29% average increase. IR64 gave the highest yield with SRI management, 10.1 t/ha from replicated trials. On the farmer's field at Sopsokhe, IR64 was used with both SRI methods and farmer practice. The SRI yield was 40% higher, 9.6 t/ha compared to 6.6 t/ha with usual methods. The photo at left shows the 97 tillers on one plant after harvest. (Click on photo for a larger image).

In the Bajo RNRRC trials (right), at 1300 masl, the SRI average yield with IR64 variety was 8.56 t/ha vs. 7 t/ha with best management practices. One plot was measured as 9.18 t/ha. Here too, as at the CNR, this third year of trials gave better results than the Centre's trials the first two years.

2007-2008

• Article in Journal of Renewable Natural Resources - Bhutan Highlights SRI Gains at higher altitudes
An article on "Yield Response of Rice under System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Management at Kanglung, Bhutan," authored by Karma Lhendup and his colleagues at Sherubtse College, showed higher mean SRI yields of 4.2-6.0 ton/ha (depending upon the cultivar) in comparison to the national average of 2.9 ton/ha. These 2006 SRI trials, which also resulted in 78% seed saving, were conducted in three locations (both on-farm and on-station) at 1600-2000 masl.

• Evaluations Continuing in College of Natural Resources
Karma Lhendup, lecturer in the faculty of agriculture of the Royal University of Bhutan's College of Natural Resources at Lobesa in western Bhutan, has reported on a second season of evaluations in 2007. With replicated trials, the advantage of SRI methods have been seen for a second year, although the increased in yield are not as high as in many other countries, possibly because of soil or climatic conditions. The reduction in input requirements has been of particular interest to farmers who have come to field days organized by Lhendup. Mamta Chhetri, research officer at the nearby agricultural research station at Yusipang, has done some initial trials in 2007 at Khachadrapchu, although not of all SRI methods. The value of younger seedlings was seen to be significant. In 2008, trials are expanding with attention among other things to whether SRI methods of non-flooded water management can curb a weed that is making rice production difficult. An illustrated, two-page field manual for extension workers (in English) has been prepared by Lhendup for introducing SRI in other parts of Bhutan. This could be used with appropriate pictures and modifications of text in other countries.

2006
• Bhutan is 28th Country to Report SRI Benefits
Karma Lhendup, Sherubtse College of the Royal University of Bhutan, has conducted a set of replicated trials of SRI methods at three locations in Kanglung district (1800m elevation). A report of his 2006 results (825 kb) is also available without pictures (for a smaller file size - 451 kb). Only some of the SRI methods were used in these initial trials -- young seedlings (3-leaf stage), single seedlings, wide spacing (30x30 cm gave better performance than 20x20 cm), and reduced water application (non-flooding). There was no introduction and evaluation of organic soil fertilization (standard chemical fertilizer applications were made), and there was no active soil aeration (only hand weeding, not using a rotary hoe). The average yield increase comparing replicated plot results was 0.65 t/ha, significant at the .05 level of confidence. Profuse increases in tillering were observed, and farmers were impressed with both the plant growth and the cost-saving opportunities.

•SRI Presented at National Exposition
Karma Lhendup and two of his students at Sherubtse College in Kanglung participated in and presented a poster on SRI at a national expo organized by the Renewable Natural Resources Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in December, 2006. Two thousand five hundred participants -- including the Minister of Agriculture and 1,500 farmers attended. The poster communicated SRI results from the first season of trials at four locations. Much interest was expressed from farmers and agricultural professionals, including the Minister (see report). It is expected that there will be a network for communication and experience-sharing on SRI in Bhutan before the next season, when trials and demonstrations will be conducted in many other locations.

On October 26, 2006, Lhendup organized a field day to demonstrate SRI results to farmers, monks, local officials and agricultural professionals in the districts around Kanglung.

Workshops/Trainings