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Effectiveness of Farmer-Based Effectiveness of Farmer-Based Approaches on Production and Approaches on Production and

Marketing of SRI RiceMarketing of SRI Rice

W.G.SomaratneW.G.Somaratne

Advocacy and Policy ManagerAdvocacy and Policy Manager

Oxfam AustraliaOxfam Australia

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Effectiveness of Farmer-Based Approaches on Effectiveness of Farmer-Based Approaches on Production and Marketing of SRI RiceProduction and Marketing of SRI Rice

• Introduction - Role of Oxfam-Australia

• Perceptions of small farmers

• Effectiveness of farmer-based production of SRI rice

• Marketing aspects of SRI rice

• Concluding remarks

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IntroductionIntroduction• For almost 30 years, Oxfam Australia has been

working to alleviate poverty among the poorest of the poor (POP) in Sri Lanka through participatory, community-based development approaches.

• SRI was identified in 2003 as an approach that SRI was identified in 2003 as an approach that could: – improve food security at the household level;– possibly increase income for poor farming families; – reduce their dependence on costly farming inputs

(seed, fertilizer, agro-chemicals, and) and reduce water use;

– Promote eco-friendly farming practices (e.g., Promote eco-friendly farming practices (e.g., agrochemical-free, reduced wagrochemical-free, reduced water use, etc.)..

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• The eco-friendly productivity improvement programs (i.e., SRI) have experimented with different approaches and strategies among small farmers;

• The main thrusts of these programmes were: – To improve the paddy yield (i.e., land

productivity); – To reduce unit cost of production– To protect paddy farmers from excessive

competitiveness; and – To assure a fair market price for paddy.

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• OAus’s involvement in the initial years was – tentative, small-scale, and mostly experimental; – itself assessing the feasibility and possibilities of

SRI techniques for very poor, particularly women, farmers.

– The SRI approach is currently being promoted by OAus through partner organisations among POPs in 6 districts:

• Anuradhapura, • Kegalle, • Polonnaruwa, • Hambantota, • Matara and • Ampara

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Study of SRI Farmer PerceptionsStudy of SRI Farmer Perceptions

• Purpose:Purpose:– To learn more about why the uptake of SRI practices

has been slow in Sri Lanka, in relation to other countries where it has been introduced.

• Area Covered: • Matara, Kegalle (wet zone)• Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampare (dry zone)• Hambantota (arid zone)

• Sample Size:(All = 151 Farmers)– 71 conventional farmers (47%)– 80 SRI farmers (53%)

• 14 Focus Group discussions14 Focus Group discussions

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Factors Influencing Paddy Cultivation

Based on Overall Rankings:Based on Overall Rankings: 1. Family consumption2. Income generation3. Lack of other work4. Fertilizer subsidized5. Knowledge & skills6. Lower inputs than other crops7. Easy to do8. Ability to get loans

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Factors Influencing the Shift to SRI from Conventional Practices

Influencing factor Rank Influencing factor Rank

Size of the harvest - Productivity

1 Resistance to pests & diseases

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Availability of organic inputs 2 Availability of markets 12 Access to credit facilities 3 Amount of labour needed 13 Hire cost of machinery 3 Environmental considerations 14 Cost of inputs 5 Cost of labour 15 Ownership of land 6 Access to adequate water 16 Market (selling) price 7 Post-harvest storage facilities 17 Health concerns 8 Quality of soil 18 Amount of seeds needed 9 Follow methods used by

parents 19

Quality of seeds 9 Resilience to climatic variations

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Reasons for Using Exchange Reasons for Using Exchange Labour for SRILabour for SRI

• Both exchange and hired labour were used by farmers for individual and group enterprises;

• SRI farmers heavily used exchange labourexchange labour for group enterprisesgroup enterprises for:– Land preparation - 80%– Transplanting – 72%– Weeding – 66%– Harvesting - 88%– Transporting – 74%

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Conclusion/Recommendations Conclusion/Recommendations on Farmer Perceptionson Farmer Perceptions

• No significant bias in favour or against SRI practitioners.

• An examination of family characteristics would indicate that SRI farmers are, by and large, poorer than those using conventional methods.

• In comparison with the conventional farmers, SRI farmers have significantly larger families, and less land under cultivation.

• In turn, their marketable surplus (in excess of consumption needs) is less than half that of the conventional farmers.

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Farmer-Based Research:Farmer-Based Research:

• Locations selected:Locations selected: – Matara District (Deniyaya)- Anuradhapura (Thambuththegama, Galnewa)- Kegalle District (Warakapola)- Ampara (Uhana)

- Type of Seed Used:Type of Seed Used: BG 358 –Samba

BG 352 – Nadu

- - Total No of Experiments - 19Total No of Experiments - 19- Broadcasting – 7- Transplanting – 5- SRI -- 7

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Data CollectionData CollectionType of data collected from each district in collaboration with

officials of the Department of Agriculture at grassroot level:

Number of tillers/m2 at 30, 45 and 100 days after planting

or sowing (DAP).

Average plant height at 30 DAP and 45 DAP.

Average length of roots 30 DAP and 45 DAP.

Average number of panicles/m2 at 100 DAP.

Average number of seeds per panicle at 100 DAP.

Yield – land productivity (kg) from 1 m2 and from 25m2.

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Plant Height (in cms), by Variety and

Cultivation Method

Broadcasting Conventional transplanting

SRI Seed variety

Location 30 DAP 45 DAP 30 DAP 45 DAP 30 DAP 45 DAP

Kegalle 30 46 32 46 35 69 BG-358

Ampara 44 64 n/a n/a 41 93 Pokura A’pura 36 49 41 56 42 61 Average 36.7 53.0 36.5 51.0 39.3 74.3

Kegalle 29 71 29 81 37 82 Ampara 51 69 n/a n/a 56 76 Matara 38 50 40 53 63 67 A’pura 21 51 39 63 42 76

BG-352

Average 34.8 60.3 36.0 65.7 49.5 75.3

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Root length (in cms) at 30 & 45 DAP, by variety and cultivation method

Broadcasting Conventional transplanting

SRI Seed variety

Location 30 DAP 45 DAP 30 DAP 45 DAP 30 DAP 45 DAP

Kegalle 12 18 10 19 16 22 Ampara 10 14 n/a n/a 17 20 A’pura 13 20 15 20 11 28

BG-358

Average 11.7 17.3 12.5 19.5 14.7 23.3 Kegalle 13 15 11 18 19 24 Ampara 10.5 11.2 n/a n/a 13.5 15 Matara 4.2 9.6 7 10.6 9 15 A’pura 9 16 11 16 14 22

BG-352

Average 9.2 13.0 9.7 14.9 13.9 19.0

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Average density of Tillers at 0, 30, 45 and 100 DAP (per m2)

283

355

476

299339

297263

305

225

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 30 45 100

Days after planting

Nu

mb

er

of

till

ers

/ m

2

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Number of seeds/panicle

Bro

adca

sting

Bro

adca

sting

Bro

adca

sting

Tra

nspla

nti

ng

Tra

nspla

nti

ng

Tra

nspla

nti

ng

SR

I

SR

I

SR

I

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Samba Nadu Average

Variety and crop establishment method

Nu

mb

er

of

seed

s p

er

pan

icle

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Comparison of Productivity (MT/Ha)Comparison of Productivity (MT/Ha)

Broadcasting Conventional Transplanting

SRI Seed variety

Location Yield

(MT/ ha) Percentage

of base Yield

(MT / ha) Percentage

of base Yield

(MT/ ha) Percentage

of base Kegalle 2.86 100% 3.66 127.9% 5.34 186.6%

BG-358 Ampara 3.20 100% n/a n/a 5.20 162.5%

Pokura A’pura 6.69 100% 6.73 100.5% 7.64 114.2% Average 4.25 100% 5.19 122.2% 6.06 142.5%

Kegalle 2.95 100% 2.67 90.5% 4.85 164.6% Ampara 3.35 100% n/a n/a 5.08 151.7% Matara 0.56* n/a 4.61 n/a 5.50 n/a A’pura 4.70 100% 5.39 114.7% 5.93 126.2%

BG-352

Average 3.67 100% 4.22 115.0% 5.34 145.5%

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Average yields, by location and method

Bro

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stin

g

Bro

adca

stin

g

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antin

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g

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SR

I

SR

I

SR

I SR

I

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I

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Kegalle Ampara Matara A'pura Overall

Extr

apola

ted y

ield

(to

nnes/h

a)

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Recommendations • OAus undertakes similar trials during the 2008 Yala and 2008/09

Maha seasons, so that some assessment can be made of any seasonal differences.

• OAus shares these findings with CBO partners and communities, other NGOs and INGOs and the relevant government authorities engaged in agricultural development activities.

• OAus invites and actively encourages the Department of Agriculture, through its research unit and extension officers, to undertake similar farmer-based trials in a larger number and greater variety of locations with a view to eventually generalising results to the whole country.

• OAus instigates whole-field trials of the three different methods to reduce the possibility of scaling-up error. This will require the careful selection of neighbouring farmers who are considered equally competent in their methods of cultivation and whose lands are considered to be equally fertile.

• OAus uses future farmer-based trials to also measure the actual labour required by the different crop establishment methods and then to assess a realistic opportunity cost of this.

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• This report documents the findings of a farmer-based research project aimed at comparing the yield of the SRI approach with conventional production methods used in Sri Lanka; it forms part of the larger study.

• Scepticism by government officials and agricultural extension workers has severely retarded the spread and adoption rate of SRI techniques in the country.

• A companion report looking at farmer’s perceptions of the SRI approach found that labour is not of major concern for farmers practicing paddy cultivation in groups, where exchange labour is readily available (Perera et al., 2007)

• This led to a decision to implement ‘farmer-based research’ that would place farmers at the centre of the trials and enable OAus to then compare yields that farmers are actually obtaining under normal field conditions.

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Marketing Aspects of SRI RiceMarketing Aspects of SRI Rice

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Objectives:Objectives:• To assess market demand and To assess market demand and

potentialpotential for a higher-priced SRI rice among consumers in one district.

• To identify consumer preferencesTo identify consumer preferences from among varieties of SRI rice.

• To examine consumer perceptions To examine consumer perceptions and issues of SRI rice marketingand issues of SRI rice marketing and solicit ideas for promoting SRI rice as a value-added, higher-priced alternative to conventional rice

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Structure of SRI Rice MarketingStructure of SRI Rice Marketing• Marketing project was implemented through the

Development Communication Foundation (DCF) – Partner Organization in Kegalle district (Warakapola)

• 5 poor women as a group were involved• Functions performed: purchasing, transporting,

processing, promotion, and selling of SRI rice• Supply of SRI paddy from Anuradhapura (Kalawewa),

and Warakapola areas• Types of rice sold – Nadu, Samba, and Raw-white;• Size of the packtse sold – 5 kg, 50 kg, and 750 g –

‘easy-carry pack’;• Paddy purchased at Rs 1.00/kg higher than the open

market price

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Methodology UsedMethodology Used

• Data Collection:Data Collection:–Rapid marketing appraisal

–Focus Group discussions – behavioural aspects

–39 regular customers were interviewed

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Schematic Presentation of Marketing Channel

of SRI Rice Experiment

SRI Rice customers

SRI paddy producers (Anuradhapura, Warakapola)

Development Communication Foundation (DCF)

Oxfam Australia (OAus)

Paddy purchase (Women’s group, Warakapola)

Retail sales (Women’s group, Warakapola)

Transportation (From farm gate to store)

Paddy processing (Women’s group, Warakapola)

Transportation (From store to mill)

Transportation (From mill to store/outlet)

Rice milling (Private mill, Warakapola)

Technical support

Funds & logistical support

Logistical support

Logistical support

Logistical support

Income from sales

Feedback

Seeding funds & technical support

Raw-W

hit

e p

ad

dy

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Changes in Retail Prices, by Variety of Rice (Nov, 2006 – April, 2007)

Samba (Rs/Kg) Nadu (Rs/Kg) Raw –White (Rs/kg) SRI Rice

Open Market

SRI Rice Open Market SRI Rice Open

Market

Component

Average Median Average Median Average Median Average# 35.14 31.68 31.55 28.34 29.75 27.35 SRI selling price above open market

10.9% 11.3% 8.8%

# Sales weighted average price.

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Composition of SRI Rice Sold (by variety)

Nadu

48.4%

Raw - White

10.2%

Samba 48.4%

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Number of Customer Visits and Average Number of Customer Visits and Average

Purchases (per fortnight) – Nov –AprilPurchases (per fortnight) – Nov –April

• Total no. of customers - 249249

• Total no. of visits - 352352

• Average no. of visits per customer = 1.41.4

• Total purchased (kg) = 4829

• Average purchase per customer (kg) =19.419.4

• Average purchase per visit (kg) = 13.713.7

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Processing and Handling Cost of SRI Rice (%)

MillingMilling31%31%

TransportTransport 16%16%

LaborLabor35%

RentRent18%18%

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Farmer’s Share, Marketing Cost, and Margins Farmer’s Share, Marketing Cost, and Margins

of SRI Rice Marketingof SRI Rice Marketing Samba Nadu Raw-White Component

Rs/kg % Rs/kg % Rs/kg % Average retail price 35.00 100.0 32.00 100.0 30.00 100.0 Processing costs 4.24 12.1 4.24 13.3 4.24 14.1 Labour costs 2.33 6.7 2.33 7.3 0.45 1.5 Contingency 8.75 25.0 8.00 25.0 7.5 25.0

Farmers’ potential share 19.68 56.2% 17.43 54.5% 17.81 59.4%

Prevailing market price 15.50 44.3% 15.00 46.9% 16.00 53.3%

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Age-Distribution of SRI Rice Age-Distribution of SRI Rice CustomersCustomers

>50 ( 17%)

41-50 (41%)31-40 (35%)31-40 (35%)

<30 ( 7%)<30 ( 7%)

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Problems/Issues Identified by SRI CustomersProblems/Issues Identified by SRI Customers

Key Factors No of

responses % of

responses % of

respondents 1. Improved quality control, e.g.,

stone-free, low moisture content 22 43 56

2. Greater variety of rice available, e.g., Samba, Kora, Nadu, Raw-white, Raw-red, and traditional varieties

9 17 23

3. Sale of high-quality rice from paddy grown in other districts

8 16 20

4. Maintain a reasonable/affordable price 4 8 10

5. Delivery of rice purchases to customers’ doorstep

3 6 8

6. Provision to return low-quality products 3 6 8

7. Opportunities to visit SRI fields and processing places

2 4 5

Total 51 100 131#

# Some customers gave multiple responses.

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Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks• Promote horizontal (e.g., group formation) and vertical (e.g., organic

fertilizer; production of weeders and SRI rice processing and SRI rice- based products) integration possibilities

• Capacity building – good trainers or mobilisers on SRI production process, should be strengthened

• Initiate programmes for promotion of SRI rice in collaboration with govt. agencies, INGOs and NGOs

• Establish 2 more SRI rice marketing centres in selected other districts as pilot projects

• Farmer-based research on economic aspects – profitability, cost, and partial factor productivity and labour use in the SRI process should be promoted

• Collaborative research projects with Department of Agriculture on SRI should be carried out

• Build SRI networks at district level to share experiences and resources and collaborate with the Dept. of Agriculture and link up with the national SRI Network

• Promote SRI rice enterprise as an alternative livelihood and eco-friendly farming approach among small farmers

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THANK YOU