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Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005
To: SRI-UPDATE-L@cornell.edu
From: Norman Uphoff
Subject: SRI-UPDATE-L #1 (August 2005)

This is the first of a series of messages that will be sent once every 4-6 weeks to persons who have registered for this SRI-Update-L announcement list to be kept abreast of new information, developments, opportunities, issues, etc. regarding the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). More detailed information is available on the SRI website http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/.Current subscribers who would like to send information for the next update can do so by writing to SRI-Update-L@cornell.edu.

There is a parallel interactive listserv for persons who would like to exchange information and engage in discussions on SRI problems, innovations, evaluations, etc. If you would like more information on joining this problem-solving electronic mailing list (SRI-RICE-L) go to http://ciifad/sri/listservs/index.html.

The topics discussed in more detail below are first 'headlined' to make your use of this information easier.

Norman Uphoff, CIIFAD
ntu1@cornell.edu

Here are the topics discussed in more detail below:

1. Initiative to develop marketing of indigenous rice varieties grown with SRI methods wins internatonal competition

2. Proposal for SRI extension in Nepal wins World Bank funding

3. Article evaluating SRI methods in terms of Japanese rice science research findings published in Plant Production Sciences

4. Summary of what is known about SRI

5. BBC program on SRI filmed in Nepal
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1. Initiative to develop marketing of indigenous rice varieties grown with SRI methods wins internatonal competition

On April 19, a Global Marketing Partnership for SRI Indigenous Rice, involving at the outset:

The SEED Awards, to be awarded biennially, were established by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), in collaboration with the British, German, Netherlands, Norwegian and US governments, to 'support entrepreneurship for environment and development' (SEED).

As knowledge is gained and marketing linkages are established to expand demand in both national and international markets for indigenous rice varieties, grown in an eco-friendly way with SRI methods, the consortium can and will expand to include more SRI farmers and their organizations and assisting agencies in other countries.

Getting small farmers better prices for their higher-quality SRI rice while providing consumers with rice that is preferable for taste, being chemical-free, etc., and also helping conserve rice biodiversity and reducing adverse impacts from rice production on the environment made this initiative attractive to the SEED program. The award does not provide any direct financial support but commits the sponsors to assist awardees in getting technical assistance, publicizing the innovations, and mobilizing necessary resources to expand the initiative.

For more information on this SRI initiative, contact Olivia Vent (ohv1@cornell.edu) who is coordinating this effort on behalf of CIIFAD and its partners.
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2. Proposal for SRI extension in Nepal wins World Bank funding

On May 2, a grant of $20,000 to spread SRI knowledge in Morang District and adjoining districts in the terai (plains area) was made to Rajendra Uprety, agricultural extension officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in its Morang District Agricultural Development Office (DADO). This grant was justified by the good results that Morang District farmers obtained with SRI in the 2004 monsoon season, more than doubling yield with less cost and having their rice crop mature 15 days earlier than with conventional growing methods (see http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/countries/nepal/nepalrptuprety041.pdf.

Uprety's proposal (http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/countries/nepal/mktplaceaward05.html) was ranked second among the 20 proposals that were selected for funding by the World Bank-funded Nepal Development Marketplace (NDM) project from among 1,137 proposals submitted to it (http://www.ndm.org.np/english/index.html). This award has also brought considerable publicity for SRI in Nepal. The Department of Agriculture is printing and distributing 10,000 posters on SRI to assist Uprety's efforts.
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3. Article evaluating SRI methods in terms of Japanese rice science research findings published in Plant Production Sciences

An article, "Can Yields of Lowland Rice Resume the Increases that They Showed in the 1980s?" by Prof. Takeshi Horie, University of Kyoto, based on a paper presented at the 4th International Crop Science Association meetings in Australia in September 2004 (http://www.regional.org.au/au/cs/2004/symposia/2/4/1869_horiet.htm), was recently published (Plant Production Sciences, 2005, 8:3, 257-272). The article concludes from Japanese rice sector experience that there is large scope for production increase by changes in management methods compared with changes in genetic characteristics. SRI practices are assessed along with other practices in terms of what is known about the effects of seedling age, spacing, soil aeration, etc. on rice yield, with considerable scientific evidence reported that supports SRI recommendations.

Prof. Horie has extensive experience in rice science and currently serves on the WARDA board of directors. He and one of his PhD students at Kyoto University, Yasuhiro Tsujimoto, visited Madagascar in December 2004, hosted by Association Tefy Saina, to get acquainted with SRI under field conditions. Tsujimoto began field research in March 2005, to assess the soils from which very high SRI yields have been obtained, and Prof. Horie visited again in April. This research will be important for getting a better scientific understanding of factors that contribute to SRI results.
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4. Summary of what is knows about SRI

During his March 2005 visit to the Philippines, Norman Uphoff (CIIFAD) prepared a summary for colleagues there who needed current information on what SRI methods can accomplish, as background for discussions with the Department of Agriculture. This summary, Features of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Apart from Increases in Yield, is available from the SRI home page (http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/yielduphoffrpt505.pdf)

Debates over SRI in some circles have become overly focused, even fixated, on yield, to the neglect of many other considerations that are as or more important. Accordingly, this paper focuses on other considerations about which data are being accumulated from various countries, noting also some of the constraints that have been identified with SRI.

Now that evidence is coming in that SRI need not be more labor-intensive, and can even be labor-saving, the main limitations on its uptake are water control and getting correct information to farmers (as well as overcoming initial skepticism). The main pest problems that have emerged in some locations are parasitic nematodes and golden apple snails.
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5. BBC program on SRI filmed in Nepal

A traveling BBC television correspondent spent two days in Morang district of Nepal, August 8-9, interviewing farmers and taking video footage of SRI fields and plants for a program to be broadcast later this month. Information on when this program will be broadcast will be sent out as a bulletin as soon as it is available. (pictures available at http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/countries/nepal/nepbbc05.html.

The next day after the BBC crew left, the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Nepal visited the same area to learn more about SRI. The DG counted 114 tillers on one SRI plant, 48 days after transplanting (as a 10-day-old seedling). The Minister visited a similar field the next day and gave a strong endorsement of SRI extension throughout Nepal because of its advantages particularly for resource-poor farmers.

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