The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) involves the adoption of certain changes in management practices for rice cultivation that create a better growing environment for rice crops. The use of intermittent irrigation with alternate wet and dry intervals (AWD) and single transplanting of the younger seedlings in wider spacing areas are regarded as the key factors in SRI for better crop growth and productivity. Field experiments were conducted in Chiba, Japan during the two consecutive rice growing seasons (May-September) of 2008-09 to observe the effects of SRI components on rice crop performance, field environment, water savings, and water-wise rice production. The effects of the irrigation method, age of seedlings and spacing were evaluated in the 2008 rice season with eight treatment combinations in a split-split plot design (S-SPD). AWDI at 10 day intervals and continuous flooding throughout the cropping season were the two main plot factors while the effects of seedling age (14 and 21 days) and plant spacing (30x30 cm2 and 30x18 cm2) were evaluated as sub and sub-sub plot factors, respectively. The experimental results revealed that the SRI management with the proposed AWDI can save a significant amount of irrigation water (29%) without reduced grain yield (7.41t/h compared with 7.37t/ha from normal planting with ordinary water management). Water productivity was also observed to be significantly higher in all combinations of practices in AWDI plots: 1.74 g/liter with SRI management and AWDI as compared to 1.23 g/liter in normal planting with ordinary water management. In addition, the research outcomes showed a role of AWDI in minimizing pest and disease incidence, shortening the rice crop cycle and also improving the plant stand until harvest. Synergistic effects of younger seedlings and wider spacing were seen in tillering ability, panicle length and a number of filled grains that ultimately led to higher productivity with better grain quality. Field experiments with the complete sets of SRI practices were carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) during the 2009 rice growing season in the same field. SRI (with 8 day old seedlings) and conventional (with 22 day old seedlings) practices were the first factor (cultivation method), while organic and inorganic managements were evaluated as the second factor (management method) in the field experiments. The highest yield was observed through the conventional method with inorganic management (6.84t/h) that was on par with the organic SRI (6.59t/h) followed by organic conventional (6.48t/h). It was recorded as 5.92t/h in inorganic SRI management. Overall, the effects of SRI components were positive and significant on a per plant basis; however, they did not differ significantly in terms of grain yield per unit area. The development of healthy and vigorous roots, increased stem diameter, greater productive leaf area, longer panicles, greater number of filled grains, development of plants tolerant to insect-pest and disease, and reduced plant lodging percentage were some notable achievements with SRI management. Water savings and water-wise rice production are other important issues that are likely to draw the attention of rice researchers and farm communities to adopt SRI under scarce water conditions. However, comparatively better grain yields with conventional management methods underscore a need for further investigations in defining an appropriate combination of practices for SRI management, considering local soil properties, prevailing climate and critical watering stages in rice crop management.

The System of Rice Intensification, known as SRI, is a management strategy for crop improvement. Its ideas, insights and practices are based on scientifically validated knowledge for increasing the production of not only irrigated rice but of other crops as well. SRI represents a paradigm shift in agricultural thinking and practice toward agroecological farming that can be used by even the poorest smallholding farmers in ecologically fragile regions of the world to achieve food security in the face of the climate-change challenges ahead. When the author Norman Uphoff first learned about SRI in Madagascar in 1993, this production system which offered higher yields with reduced inputs seemed implausible to him. But the professor put aside his skepticism after seeing farmers who had been getting rice yields of just two tons per hectare produce four times more rice-for three years in a row-on their very poor soils, not changing their varieties or relying on agrochemical inputs, and using less water. Now, he's helping to disseminate this dramatically effective methodology with this accessible, easy-to-use sourcebook. It offers explanations, research references, vivid pictures, and concrete examples of the award-winning SRI methodology to anyone interested in the development of practicable sustainable food systems. Now, he's helping to disseminate this revolutionary methodology with this accessible, easy-to-use primer. It offers explanations, resources, and concrete examples of the award-winning SRI to anyone interested in the development of practicable sustainable food systems.

This publication reports on current work in progress to raise the agricultural productivity of a wide range of crops, in eco-friendly ways and in a number of countries around the world, using an agroecological methodology called the System of Crop Intensification (SCI). Through a shift in plant management, SCI allows farmers to increase their production while simultaneously reducing purchased inputs, building soil health, reducing water use, and making plants more resilient to climate change-induced stress.

Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.

This research was designed and conducted through partnerships with national agricultural scientists. The primary objective was to listen to farmers and understand the various factors that constrain pest management decisions and practices on-farm.

Global agriculture is now at the crossroads. The Green Revolution of the last century is losing momentum. Rates of growth in food production are now declining, with land and water resources becoming scarcer, while world population continues to grow. We need to continue to identify and share the knowledge that will support successful and sustainable

This open access book is about understanding the processes involved in the transformation of smallholder rice farming in the Lower Mekong Basin from a low-yielding subsistence activity to one producing the surpluses needed for national self-sufficiency and a high-value export industry. For centuries, farmers in the Basin have regarded rice as “white gold”, reflecting its centrality to their food security and well-being. In the past four decades, rice has also become a commercial crop of great importance to Mekong farmers, augmenting but not replacing its role in securing their subsistence. This book is based on collaborative research to (a) compare the current situation and trajectories of rice farmers within and between different regions of the Lower Mekong, (b) explore the value chains linking rice farmers with new technologies and input and output markets within and across national borders, and (c) understand the changing role of government policies in facilitating the on-going evolution of commercial rice farming. An introductory section places the research in geographical and historical context. Four major sections deal in turn with studies of rice farming, value chains, and policies in Northeast Thailand, Central Laos, Southeastern Cambodia, and the Mekong Delta. The final section examines the implications for rice policy in the region as a whole.