New methods to grow Rice

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.

INNOVATION METHODS

Tribal dominated disadvantaged district, Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh is characterized by undulating topography, fragmented holdings, rainfed farming, shallow and eroded soils, low and stagnant crop productivity and low income from ancestral farming.  To enhance income of the farmers of the area, an attempt was made to introduce improved vegetable cultivation under National Agricultural Innovation Sub Project “Integrated farming system for sustainable rural livelihood in undulating and rainfed areas of Jhabua and Dhar districts of M.P.” Shri Ramash Bariya is a beneficiary farmer from Rotla village of district Jhabua under this project. After interaction with NAIP-KVK scientists during 2009-10, Shri Ramesh started vegetable cultivation on small area during rainy and winter seasons and got more profit. With this encouragement, he decided to grow cucurbits viz., bitter guard, and sponge guard in late summer season of 2012-13 in 0.1ha area. 

He prepared nursery in May 2012 and sown these crops (12 line bitter guard and 3 line spongy guard) in 1nst week of June 2012. During the early growing stage of these crops, he faced acute shortage of irrigation water due to delayed monsoon. Shri Ramesh was worried about failure of his crops. Then he discussed with NAIP scientists and got advice for adoption of an innovative irrigation technique using waste glucose bottle.In this technique, a cut is made at the top of waste glucose bottle for filling of water and discharge of water could be regulated by glucose regulator system.

Rice Cultivation

Rice is the most important food crop of India covering about one-fourth of the total cropped area and providing food to about half of the Indian population.

This is the staple food of the people living in the eastern and the southern parts of the country, particularly in the areas having over 150 cm annual rainfall. There are about 10,000 varieties of rice in the world out of which about 4,000 are grown in India.

Rice is life for thousands of millions of people. In Asia alone, more than 2,000 million people obtain 60 to 70 per cent of their calories from rice and its products. Recognising the importance of this crop, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2004 as the “International Year of Rice” (IYR).

The theme of IYR—“Rice is life” reflects the importance of rice as a primary food source, and is drawn from an understanding that rice-based systems are essential for food security, poverty alleviation and improved livelihood.

Following methods of rice cultivation are practised in India.

1. Broadcasting method:

Seeds are sown broadcast by hand. This method is practised in those areas which are comparatively dry and less fertile and do not have much labour to work in the fields. It is the easiest method requiring minimum input but its yields are also minimum.

2. Drilling method:

Ploughing of land and sowing of seeds is done by two persons. This method is mostly confined to peninsular India.

3. Transplantation method:

This method is practised in areas of fertile soil, abundant rainfall and plentiful supply of labour. To begin with, seeds are sown in nursery and seedlings are prepared. After 4-5 weeks the seedlings are uprooted and planted in the field which has already been prepared for the purpose. The entire process is done by hand. It is, therefore, a very difficult method and requires heavy inputs. But at the same time it gives some of the highest yields.

4. Japanese method:

This method includes the use of high yielding varieties of seeds, sowing the seeds in a raised nursery-bed and transplanting the seedlings in rows so as to make weeding and fertilizing easy. It also involves the use of a heavy dose of fertilizers so that very high yields are obtained. The Japanese method of rice cultivation has been successfully adopted in the main rice producing regions of India.

Development of Agriculture in INDIA

When India became independent in 1947, the agricultural productivity was very low (about 50 million tonnes). The agriculture was mainly rained and was being done as a subsistence farming using mainly animate sources of farm power and traditional tools and equipment’s. More than 80% of the population living in rural areas was dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.

The Royal Commission on Agriculture in its report in 1928 had laid stress on harnessing science to develop and spread new agricultural technologies for the irrigated, arid and semi-arid areas. However, the quantum of efforts generated in agricultural engineering research and education till 1947 was microscopic in relation to the magnitude and diversity of the problems awaiting solutions.

The manpower for agricultural engineering research in the ICAR system was inadequate, both, qualitatively and quantitatively for facing successfully the numerous problems of developing equipment and technologies for mechanization of agriculture for maximizing efficiency of costly inputs like seeds, fertilizers, irrigation water, plant protection chemicals, and energy sources to increase higher production and productivity, reduction of drudgery; post-harvest technology and value addition, water, Plant Protection chemicals, and energy sources to increase higher production and productivity, reduction of drudgery; post-harvest technology and value addition, waste utilization, and generating income and employment in rural areas.  Research in agricultural engineering related to farm implements and machinery began at the Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Naini in 1921 with Prof. Mason Vaugh as the Research Engineer. During 1930 agricultural engineering research was started at the then Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, with Mr. Charley, a Britisher, as the first research engineer. 

Horticulture in A.P

The Department of Horticulture is recommending strawberry cultivation. If the plantation is undertaken in 100 to 200 hectares by the small and marginal farmers or even by big farmers, it is sufficient to meet the local demand. It can also be sent to nearest metro cities and fruit lovers value them so much. The fruit being perishable cannot be exported without having logistic support it requires for preservation and processing etc.  Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation project director Ram Mohan told The Hindu that the climate in Agency areas in the district is suitable for strawberry cultivation. At present, the fruit is supplied by traders from northern states and is selling anywhere between Rs.100 and Rs.125 per kg.

Fruit grown locally can be sold for Rs.50 for local consumption. Fruit processing companies and even exporters are willing to have tie-up with farmers only if plantations are raised on a commercial scale.

The Horticulture Department is willing to extend all help and make all subsidies and incentives available for other horticulture crops applicable to them. ITDA is cultivating the fruit in Padmapuram gardens in Araku Valley for over a decade. The garden strawberry called Fragaria and Annanassa is a common hybrid species that is cultivated worldwide. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red colour, juicy texture, and sweetness. It is consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in prepared foods such as preserves, fruit juice, pies, ice creams, and milkshakes. Artificial strawberry aroma is also widely used in many industrialised food products. Strawberry was first bred in Britain and France. The first garden strawberry was grown in France during the late 18th century.