The System of Rice Intensification
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Iraq SRI Activities (2006)
(return to main SRI Iraq page)

Progress/Activities (2007-2008) Reports
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Progress and Activities.

2006 ACTIVITIES
Adaptations of SRI Being Used in Iraq
Dr. Khidir A. Hameed (left) has reported on adaptations of SRI beingDr. Khidir Hameedevaluated at the Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station near Najaf in southern Iraq during 2006 (see report). Because labor scarcity has made transplanting difficult in this country, a ‘parachute planting’ method has been introduced, throwing young seedlings onto a shallow-puddled field, where they establish themselves without being pushed into the soil. (Click on Dr Hameed's photo to enlarge). The trials carried out in three provinces (Basrah, Messan and Thi-Qar) were impressive enough that the Minister of Agriculture, when visiting them, promised to support extension of the new methods. The average increase across all trials was only slightly positive, but this included trials where yields were reduced due to improper nursery management, including no water control, and high water salinity.

Where the SRI elements were conjoined effectively, yield increases of 20-26% were achieved with reduction in water requirements (important in this area). SRI has gotten researchers to pay more attention to use of organic matter instead of relying entirely on chemical fertilizer,iraqi groupwith promising results. They have found that they can get cost-effective results with just 10 t/ha of composted manure rather than 15 t/ha as was expected to be necessary. The research staff (click on picture at right to enlarge) planned to establish committees in all rice-growing provinces of Iraq for further trials and demonstrations in 2007.

2005 Activities
After learning SRI at an international forum on hybrid rice in China in 2004, Dr. Khidir A. Hameed tried out SRI methods for rice cultivation in Iraq. He describes some of the results of the 2005 rice season in Mahanawiya sub-district in a report. SRI began in Iraq in 2005 on ¼ hectare with "parachute method," early transplanting (12 day-old seedlings), wide spacing (25x25cm), one variety and with just 30kg of seeds per hectare. Using the variety Amber 33, SRI yields were 18% higher than with the usual dry method and resulted in 81% seed saving. The results convinced Dr. Hameed and his team to continue in 2006
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