A new method to grow rice could save hundreds of billions of cubic metres of water while increasing food security, according to a study by World Wildlife Foundation. With a focus on India – a country which faces a major water crisis, yet has the world’s largest rice cultivated area – the study found that the system of rice intensification (SRI) method has helped increase yields by over 30% — four to five tonnes per hectare instead of three tonnes per hectare, while using 40% less water than conventional methods.This new system is based on eight principles which are different to conventional rice cultivation. They include developing nutrient-rich and un-flooded nurseries instead of flooded ones; ensuring wider spacing between rice seedlings; preferring composts or manure to synthetic fertilizers; and managing water carefully to avoid that the plants’ roots are not saturated.
The method was initially developed in the 1980s in Madagascar and has been demonstrated to be effective in 28 countries.
The report suggests that major rice-producing countries — such as India, China and Indonesia — convert at least 25% of their current rice cultivation to the new system by 2025. This would not only massively reduce the use of water but also help ensure food security. In addition, this will reduce significant amount of methane emissions. SRI fields do not emit methane as is the case with the more conventional system of growing rice.
For example, if the SRI method was applied to 20 million hectares of land under rice cultivation in India, the country could meet its food grain objectives of 220 million tonnes of grain by 2012 instead of 2050.
Authorities in the Indian state of Tripura have already committed to move in that direction.
“Our farmers proved that the system of rice intensification improves productivity and we will convert at least 40% of our rice cultivation using this method over the next five years,” said Manik Sarkar, Chief Minister of Tripura State.
“We urge this as a model for rice cultivation elsewhere as it represents one hope for the water crisis affecting so many billions of people.”
Demand for a water-intensive crop such as rice is expected to increase by 38% by 2040, deepening the water crisis during the same time. However, less than 6% of rice is traded internationally and savings in water have potential for mitigating domestic water conflicts, especially in poor, rural areas where water is scarce.
Already 1.2 billion people have no access to adequate water for drinking and hygiene.
WWF is focusing on sustainable agriculture efforts for cotton, sugar and rice, some of the most consuming crops for which alternative techniques can result in a strong yield and water savings.
Some Facts About rice
Rice is the main source of directly consumed calories for about half the world’s population and 90 per cent of it is produced and consumed in Asia.
Contrary to popular belief, rice is not an aquatic plant and the main reason it is submerged in water is for controlling weeds.
Conventional method of rice cultivation uses 60-70 kilos of seeds per hectare, SRI requires just five kilos per hectare.

CLIMATE – the Monsoon climate stays above 21oC with a long wet season, plenty of moisture available for growth, followed by dry, sunny weather which is ideal for ripening and the harvest

HUGE DEMAND – Rice is the staple food of 65% of the population of India and forms 90% of the total diet. India is indeed the world’s second largest rice producer, producing 20% of the world’s total)

FLAT LAND – ideal for paddy fields as it stops water draining away, allowing rice to grow in it

FERTILE SOILS – increases productivity and good crops are grown

WATER SUPPLY – plentiful water usually available due to the monsoon climate

LARGE LABOUR FORCE – rice farming is labour intensive and provides direct employment to about 70% of the working people in India where large numbers of workers are available.

Peculiar Characteristics of the rice farms in India

• many farms are very small (may only be one hectare – size of a football pitch)

• consequently rice farming is intensive, with large amounts of inputs compared to the size of the actual farm

• due to the small farm size and the poverty, often there is little no mechanisation and the farms are labour intensive (e.g. preparation of fields, planting, weeding etc.)

• the farmers are subsistence farmers – although they may sell what little surplus they might have and many poor farmers are only tenants as opposed to land owners.

sources, links and inspirations :

http://geobytesgcse.blogspot.com/2008/04/case-study-of-subsistence-farming-rice.html

Growing More Rice With Less Water

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