SCI – A Pathway to Food SCI – A Pathway to Food Security Security - - Experiences from HP and UKD -Experiences from HP and UKD -

PEOPLE’S SCIENCE INSTITUTE, DEHRADUNPEOPLE’S SCIENCE INSTITUTE, DEHRADUN

• Sub-tropical to dry temperate climate (elevation: 200 m to >2200 m)

• Mean annual rainfall: 1500 mm

• Soils: shallow to deep loamy, having high organic matter

• 15% of the area is under cultivation

• 12% of net sown area (NSA) is irrigated, mostly rainfed terraced farming

• Isolated, fragmented and small landholdings (average: 1 acre/ hh)

• Common crops: wheat (37%), paddy (31%), maize (26%) and millets

Western Himalayan RegionWestern Himalayan Region

Uttarakhand: Trends in Rice & Wheat ProductionUttarakhand: Trends in Rice & Wheat ProductionTotal

Geographical Area (lakh ha)

Total Population

(lakh)

Average Rainfall

(mm)

Net Sown Area

(lakh ha)

Area under Paddy

(lakh ha)

Total Rice Production

(lakh tonnes)

Average Yield of

Rice (t/ha)

Area under Wheat(lakh ha)

Total Wheat

Production (lakh

tonnes)

Average Yield of Wheat(t/ha)

53.49 85 1547 7.66 2.76 5.50 1.9 3.92 8.15 2.1

Source: Department of Agriculture, Uttarakhand, 2009

Uttarakhand : A Food-Deficit Uttarakhand : A Food-Deficit StateState

Source: Uttarakhand at a Glance, 2008

Himachal Pradesh: Trends in Rice & Wheat ProductionHimachal Pradesh: Trends in Rice & Wheat ProductionTotal

Geographical Area (lakh ha)

Total Population

(lakh)

Average Rainfall

(mm)

Net Sown Area

(lakh ha)

Area under Paddy

(lakh ha)

Total Rice Production

(lakh tonnes)

Average Yield of

Rice (t/ha)

Area under Wheat(lakh ha)

Total Wheat

Production (lakh

tonnes)

Average Yield of Wheat(t/ha)

55.67 60.78 1469 5.60 0.8 1.07 1.34 3.27 5.44 1.66

Source: Department of Agriculture, HP, 2009

Himachal Pradesh : A Himachal Pradesh : A Food-Food-Deficit StateDeficit State

Source: Statistical Outline of H.P., 2008

SRI : Practices and Principles SRI : Practices and Principles RECOMMENDED PRACTICES PRINCIPLES

1 Transplanting of young seedlings

Utilizing early vigour of young seedlings

2 Wider spacing Reducing competition for light and nutrients

3 Single seedling per hill Reducing external inputs in form of seeds, water, etc

4 Alternate wetting and drying with shallow irrigation

Keeping soil from becoming anoxic

5 Inter-cultivation with weeder

Promoting healthy root growth

6 Addition of organic matter Increasing soil microbial activity and enhancing soil organic matter

SRI’s package of practices involving sustainable management of plants, soil, SRI’s package of practices involving sustainable management of plants, soil, water and nutrients resulting in higher production with reduced external water and nutrients resulting in higher production with reduced external inputs could be extrapolated to other cropsinputs could be extrapolated to other crops

WheaWheatt

Finger Finger MilletMillet

Kidney Kidney BeanBean

Practice Wheat Finger Millet(Mandwa)

Kidney Bean(Rajma)

Young Seedlings

Direct seed sowing in line / Transplanting of 10-25 day old seedlings

Direct seed sowing in line / Transplanting of 15-20 day old seedlings

Direct seed sowing in line

Wider Spacing

P to P : 15/20cmR to R : 15/20 cm

P to P : 20 cm R to R : 20 cm

P to P : 25 cmR to R : 30 cm

Single Seedling / hill

1-2 seeds/seedlings per hill

Line sowing or 1 seedling/hill

1-2 seeds/ hill

Inter-Cultivation

2+ (manual weeding/ weeder/rake)

2+ (manual weeding) 2+ (manual weeding)

Organic Matter

Compost + PAM Compost + PAM Compost + PAM

Adaptations for Wheat, Finger Millet & Adaptations for Wheat, Finger Millet & Kidney BeanKidney Bean

PAM: Panchgavya, Amritghol, MatkakhadPAM: Panchgavya, Amritghol, Matkakhad

Results of Trials on Other Crops Results of Trials on Other Crops (2006-08)(2006-08)

2006 2007 2008

Crop No. of farmers(area in

ha)

Conv. grain yield

(Q/ha)

SCI grain yield

(Q/ha)(% incr.)

No. of farmers(area in ha)

Conv. grain yield

(Q/ha)

SCI grain yield

(Q/ha)(% incr.)

No. of farmers(area in ha)

Conv. grain yield

(Q/ha)

SCI grain yield

(Q/ha)(% incr.)

Wheat (I) Research Farm(5.0 Ha)

16 22

(38%)

30

(0.224)

23.5 42.5

(81%)

557

(14.5)

24.4 48

(97%)

Wheat (UI)

- - - 19

(0.086)

15.5 25

(61%)

491

(6.7)

17.7 32.1

(81%)

Mandwa - - - 5

(0.40)

18 24

(33%)

43

(0.80)

15 24

(60%)

Rajma - - - 5

(0.40)

14 20

(43%)

113

(2.26)

18 30

(67%)

The average increase in grain yield was more than 60 per centThe average increase in grain yield was more than 60 per cent

Coverage under SRI during Kharif 2009Coverage under SRI during Kharif 2009Field

ConditionFarmers Area (ha)

Target Achievement Target AchievementIrrigated - 3,161 - 104.24Rainfed - 10,313 - 447.30Total 16,000 13,474

(84%)897 551.54

(61%)

Average landholding under SRI : 0.04 ha/household.

In addition, about 1,700 farmers were farmers were mobilizedmobilized to apply SRI to apply SRI principles in other crops covering 41.98 ha principles in other crops covering 41.98 ha

State June July August SeptemberUttarakhand -58% -46% -52% +31%

Himachal Pradesh -59% -25% -37% + 6%

% Rainfall Reductions from Usual during % Rainfall Reductions from Usual during 20092009

Source: Indian Meteorological Department, 2009

Recommended Practices

Normal Year

Drought Year(2009)

Young Seedling 8-12 days 10-25 daysWider Spacing 25 x 25 cm P to P : 15-25cm

R to R : 15-20cmSingle Seedling / hill

1 / hill 1-3/ hill

Alternative Wetting & Drying

Not under control

Inter-Cultivation 2+ (mechanical weeding)

1+ (mechanical/manual weeding)

Organic Matter PAM PAM

Alterations in SRI Practices in Alterations in SRI Practices in Drought Year Drought Year

Comparative Crop Cutting Results of Comparative Crop Cutting Results of 20092009

S. No.

Particulars Normal Year (2006-2008) Drought Year (2009)

Conventional SRI Conventional SRI

1 Ave. no. of effective tillers/ plant 7 21 5 18

2 Average plant height (cm) 99 122 88 102

3 Average panicle length (cm) 18 24 19 25

4 Average no. of grains/panicle 93 177 90 174

5 Grain yield (Q/ha) 36 55 25 48

6 Straw yield (Q/ha) 111 145 51 85The grain yields of conventional crop decreased by 31% as The grain yields of conventional crop decreased by 31% as compared to a reduction of only 13% in SRI crops.compared to a reduction of only 13% in SRI crops.

In the drought year, while non-SRI yields stood close to 25 In the drought year, while non-SRI yields stood close to 25 quintals per ha, the SRI yields were about 48 quintals per ha quintals per ha, the SRI yields were about 48 quintals per ha (an average increase of 92%). (an average increase of 92%).

Adaptations for Other Kharif Crops in Adaptations for Other Kharif Crops in DroughtDrought

Practice Conventional SCI Maize SCI Black Gram SCI SoyabeanYoung

SeedlingDirect seed

Sowing Direct seed

sowing in lineDirect seed

sowing in lineDirect seed

sowing in lineSpacing Broadcasting P to P : 30/40 cm

R to R : 30/40 cmP to P : 25 cm R to R : 30cm

P to P : 30 cmR to R : 30 cm

Single Seedling/hill

- 1-2 seeds/hill 1-2 seeds/ hill 1-2 seeds/hill

Inter- Culture

1+ (manual weeding)

3+ (manual weeding)

2+ (manual weeding)

2+ (manual weeding)

Organic matter

Compost Compost, PAM Compost, PAM Compost, PAM

Adaptations for Other Rabi CropsAdaptations for Other Rabi CropsPractice Conventional SCI Mustard SCI Peas SCI Lentil SCI Gram

Young Seedling

Direct seed Sowing

Direct seed sowing in line

Direct seed sowing in line

Direct seed sowing in line

Direct seed sowing in line

Spacing Broadcasting R to R : 15/20 cm P to P: 20 cm R to R: 30 cm

P to P : 15 cmR to R : 15 cm

P to P : 15-20 cmR to R : 30-45 cm

Single seedling/hill

- 1-2 seed/hill 1-2 seed/ hill 1-2 seed/hill 1-2 seed/hill

Inter- culture 1+ (manual weeding)

2+ (manual weeding)

2+ (manual

weeding)

2+ (manual weeding)

2+ (manual weeding)

Organic matter

Compost Compost, PAM Compost, PAM Compost, PAM

Compost, PAM

Crop Coverage under SCI Crop Coverage under SCI Management, 2009 -10Management, 2009 -10

Kharif Rabi

Name of crop Total farmers

Area(in Ha)

Name of crop Total farmers

Area(in Ha)

Maize 183 10.34 Wheat 4,151 84.03Finger millet (Mandwa)

340 8.04 Mustard 68 1.74

Kidney bean (Rajma)

679 14.01 Peas 215 3.92

Black gram (Urad)

314 2.00 Gram 48 2.68

Soyabean 77 2.47 Lentil 31 1.88

Others 111 5.12 Others 82 1.461,704 41.98 4,595 95.71

Particulars Finger Millet Maize

Conven. SCI Conven. SCI

Ave. no. of ears/plant (in maize: cob/plant)

3 5 2 3

Average plant height (cm) 69 87 142 177

Average no. of grains /ear (in maize: corns/cob)

310 493 230 380

Grain yield (T/ha) 1.2 2.2 1.7 2.3

% increase in grain yield - 83 - 35

SCI Crop Performance with Coarse Cereals, SCI Crop Performance with Coarse Cereals, Kharif 2009Kharif 2009

Particulars Black Gram Soyabean Kidney Bean

Conven. SCI Conven. SCI Conven. SCI

Ave. no. of pods /plant 46 79 35 56 36 55

Average plant height (cm) 42 56 47 66 160 210

Average no. of grains /pod 4 5 3 4 5 7

Grain yield (T/ha) 1.1 1.8 2.8 3.6 1.3 1.9

% increase in grain yield - 64 - 29 - 46

SCI Crop Performance with Pulses, Kharif SCI Crop Performance with Pulses, Kharif 20092009

Crop Performance in SWI Crop Cuttings, Rabi 2009

Particulars Conv.

SWI

Average no. of effective tillers/ hill

2 10

Average plant height (cm) 83 105

Average panicle length (cm) 9 13

Average no. of grains /panicle 39 60

Grain yield (Q/ha) 28 51

Straw yield (Q/ha) 48 85

% increase in grain yield 82

% increase in straw yield 77

SCI Crop Performance with Other Crops, SCI Crop Performance with Other Crops, Rabi 2009Rabi 2009

Particulars Mustard Pea (Vegetable) Gram

Conv. SCI Conv. SCI Conv. SCI

Average plant height (cm) 105 150 53 61 33 40No. of siliquae/pods per plant 150 275 19 27 9 14Average no. of seed/siliquae or grains /pod

10 15 3 5 1 2

Grain yield (T/ha) 1.4 2.0 21.3 30.2 0.9 1.3% increase in grain yield 42 - 42 - 44

Coverage & Crop Performance under Coverage & Crop Performance under SCI, 2010-11SCI, 2010-11

Name of Kharif crops

Total Farmers

Area(in Ha)

Conventional grain yield

(T/ha)

SCI grain yield (T/ha)

% Inc.

Maize 682 63.61 2.3 4.7 104Finger Millet (Mandwa) 747 15.66 0.9 1.8 100

Kidney bean (Rajma)

624 12.65 1.2 1.8 50

Black gram (Urad) 147 4.66 0.6 1.0 67

Soyabean 307 7.56 1.5 2.9 93

Others 160 6.67 - -2,667 110.81

Rabi 2010: Rabi 2010: Wheat : 8267 farmers (358.84 ha); Other Crops: 745 farmers (34.46 ha) Wheat : 8267 farmers (358.84 ha); Other Crops: 745 farmers (34.46 ha)

Research on SCI Research on SCI • Trials on wheat crop

performance under direct seed sowing with different spacing

• Trials on wheat crop performance under transplantation with different spacing

• Trials on wheat crop performance under inter cropping with pulses crops

• Trials on maize, mustard and peas with different spacing and no. of seeds

• Trials on newly designed seed

drill

Dharamshala Block, Kangra Jhandutta Block, Bilaspur

Variety: HS 295 Variety: HS 277

Parameter Conv. LS SWI -1 SWI-2 Conv. LS SWI-1 SWI-2

Line distance (cm) 25 25 x 25 20 x 20 22.5 20 x 20 15 x 15

Seed distance (cm) 25 x 25 20 x 20 20 x 20 15 x 15

No. of seed/hill 2 1 2 1 2 1

No. of tillers/Plant 2 10 13 7 12 7 2 14 10

Ave. plant height (cm) 73 70 72 80 85 76 73 84 85 82

Ave. ear length (cm) 7.5 11 9.5 8.0 9.5 9 11 9.3 13 13

Ave. no .of grain/ear 31 58 46 41 49 55 64 82 92 87

Grain yield (Q/ha) 15 25 20 17 22 25 30 43 60 33

Straw yield (Q/ha) 24 30 40 28 30 35 62 70 83 65

Results of trials conducted on directly-seeded SWI crop

Karsog Block, Mandi

Variety: HPW 249

Parameter Conv.

LS-Drill LS-Plough SWI -1 SWI-2

Line distance (cm) 25 25 25 x 25 20 x 20

Seed distance (cm) 25 x 25 20 x 20

No. of seed/hill 2 1 2 1

No. of tillers/plant 2 4 1 11 9 8 11

Ave. plant height (cm) 63 66 67 67 71 67 68

Ave. ear length (cm) 8.8 9.2 8.4 11 11.2 10.8 11.8

Ave. no .of grain/ear 45 49 48 59 62 53 65

Grain yield (Q/ha) 20 35 30 42 44 50 53

Straw yield (Q/ha) 30 48 38 67 80 67 80

Results of trials conducted on directly-seeded SWI crop

Variety: PBW 502Plot Size: 25 sq.m.

T -1 T -2 T-3 T-4 T-5

Parameter Conv. SWI SWI SWI SWI SWI

Line distance (cm) 10 15 20 25 20

Plant distance (cm) 10 15 20 25 15

No. of seeds/hill 2 seeds 2 seeds 2 seeds 2 seeds 2 seeds

Total no. of productive tillers/hill

5 12 14 20 15 19

Average plant height (cm) 69 76 83 82 74 81

Average ear length (cm) 15 16.7 18.2 20.5 18.6 17.6

Grain yield (Q/ha) 29 43 49 54 33 49

Straw yield (Q/ha) 46 59 66 70 49 65

Results of trials on SWI crop performance under direct seed

sowing (Dehradun)

Maximum grain and straw yield was obtained under 20 cm spacing – line to line and seed

Dharamshala Block, Kangra Jhandutta Block, Bilaspur

Variety: HS 295 Variety: HS 277

Parameter Conv. SWI-1 SWI -2 SWI-3 Conv. SWI-1 SWI-2 SWI-2

Line distance (cm) 25 x 25 20 x 20 15 x 15 20 x 20 20 x 20 15 x 15

Seed distance (cm) 25 x 25 20 x 20 15 x 15 15 x 15 20 x 20 15 x 15

No. of seed/hill 2 2 2 1 1 1

No. of tillers/plant 2 13 7 5 2 14 12 9

Ave. plant height (cm)

73 85 78 82 73 84 84 84

Ave. ear length (cm)

7.5 11 9 9 11 14.4 12 9

Ave. no .of grain/ear 29 44 35 37 41 58 49 35

Grain yield (Q/ha) 9 13 15 10 30 63 55 50

Straw yield (Q/ha) 16 20 24 16 62 90 75 70

Results of trials conducted on transplanted SWI crop

Under transplanted SWI, increases in grain yield of 41 to 87% were obtained

Nitrogen Phosphorus Organic Carbon

Treatment BS AH % Reduction

BS AH % Reduction

BS AH % Increase

Conv. method 3.78 3.39 10 6.76 4.11 39 0.90 1.51 68

10 cm x 10 cm10 cm x 10 cm

6.33 1.74 73 6.37 3.26 49 1.05 1.85 77

15 cm x 15 cm15 cm x 15 cm

2.91 2.17 25 6.46 2.89 55 0.74 2.04 175

20 cm x 20 cm20 cm x 20 cm

4.26 2.75 35 4.73 2.48 47 1.01 1.73 72

25 cm x 25 cm25 cm x 25 cm

4.40 1.81 59 6.95 3.64 48 1.04 1.66 60

20 cm x 20 cm15 cm x 15 cm

2.41 1.84 24 6.15 3.79 38 0.91 1.83 102

SWI method 4.06 2.06 49 6.13 3.21 48 0.95 1.82 92

Impact of SWI crop on soil nutrient status

Treatment -1 Treatment -2 Treatment-3

Parameter Wheat (HS 277) + Lentil /Masur (HPL 5)

Wheat (HS 277) + Gram (HPG 17)

Wheat (HS 277) + Masur (HPL 5) + Gram (HPG 17)

Line distance (cm) 25 x 25 25 x 25 25 x 25

Crop production Wheat – 18.3 Q/ha Wheat - 18.7 Q/ha Wheat – 9.5 Q/haCrop production Masur – 12.3 Q/ha Gram - 23.3 Q/ha Masur – 3 Q/ha

Crop production Gram – 7.5 Q/ha

Results of SWI trials conducted on inter-cropping with pulses

Results of trials on maize with different spacing (cm)Parameters Average plant

height (cm)Average

grains/cobAverage cob length (cm)

Grain yield (T/Ha)

50-50 X 50-05 (T-1) 185 322 25 5.740-40 X 40-40 (T-2) 192 356 29 6.530-30 X 30-30 (T-3) 187 297 23 5.8Line sowing ( T-4) 193 255 20 4.8Farmers’ practice (T-5) 155 191 17 2.3 Note: Line to line distance = 30 cm

Results of trials on maize with different no. of seedsParameters Average plant

height (cm)Average

grains/cobAverage cob length (cm)

Grain yield (T/Ha)

One seed (T-1) 227 341 28 6.1Two seed (T-2) 188 309 25 5.3Farmers' practice (T-3) 171 215 20 2.8Note: Line to line distance = 40 cm , Plant to plant distance = 40 cm

Method Conventional SCI

Total Expen-diture

(Rs./ha)

Gross Income (Rs./ha)

Net Profit

(Rs./ha)

C-B Ratio

Total Expen-diture

(Rs./ha)

Gross Income (Rs./ha)

Net Profit

(Rs./ha)

C-B Ratio

Direct seed sowing (wheat)

22,720 30,600 7,880 1:1.3 25,850 51,600 25,750 1:2.0

Finger millet (mandwa)

14,920 25,900 10,980 1:1.7 15,640 34,400 18,760 1:2.2

Kidney bean (rajma)

28,250 56,000 27,775 1:2.0 30,250 80,000 49,750 1:2.6

Mustard 21,630 32,000 10,370 1:1.4 17,500 48,000 30,500 1:2.7

Cost:Benefit Analysis for SCI Crops vs.Cost:Benefit Analysis for SCI Crops vs.Conventional Method of CultivationConventional Method of Cultivation

B:C ratio is more than 2:1 for most SCI crops

Up-scaling StrategyUp-scaling Strategy

Saturate villages where SRI has been successfully demonstrated by increasing the number of households and area coverage per household.

Average family size = 5-6 members/household

Ave. landholding = 0.3-0.4 ha/HH; 0.1 ha irrigated area (5 nalis)

Adoption of SCI on 3.25 lakh ha in UKD (45% of NSA) and on 1.31 lakh ha in HP (23% of NSA) can bring these states to foodgrain security

Daily requirement

(gm/p/d)

Total annual HH require-

ment (T)

Average SCI production

(T/ha/season)

Target area coverage(ha/HH)

Cereals 420 0.85-1.00 3 = 120 kg/nali/yr 0.14 = 7 nalis

Pulses 40 0.08-0.09 1.5 = 60 kg/nali/yr 0.03 = 1.5 nalis

Critical Areas for Up-scaling SCICritical Areas for Up-scaling SCI

• Research

• Improvements in package of practices

• Effective capacity-building strategy

• Networking among stakeholders

• Convergence with other programmes

• Policy framework

Farmers should be provided flexibility for adoption of different principles under SCI

• RRice-wheat is the ice-wheat is the predominant system, with predominant system, with yields lower than 2 T/ha yields lower than 2 T/ha

• Subsistence-oriented Subsistence-oriented agricultureagriculture

• Forestry & livestock rearing - Forestry & livestock rearing - an integral component of an integral component of farmingfarming

• Active participation of womenActive participation of women

• High utilization of organic High utilization of organic mattermatter

• Mostly local varieties are Mostly local varieties are usedused

• Inadequate market linkages Inadequate market linkages and non- accessibility to and non- accessibility to roadsroads

• Restricted availability of Restricted availability of credit and extension servicescredit and extension services

• Weak village-level institutionsWeak village-level institutions

Crop Production System in Western Crop Production System in Western HimalayasHimalayas

Introduction of SRI in 2006Introduction of SRI in 2006

Field Support ActivitiesField Support Activities

Field Marking Seed Sowing

Line Sowing Weeding

Conclusion: SCI is Boon for Mountain Conclusion: SCI is Boon for Mountain FarmersFarmers

• 88% of households are small or marginal with less than 0.4 ha (1 acre) per family.

• Rice and wheat are the staple foods of the populace.

• Higher stalk volume means more fodder for the cattle.

• More farmyard manure and possibly increased milk yields.

POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS THE FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD SECURITY AND

LIVELIHOOD NEEDS OF SMALL LIVELIHOOD NEEDS OF SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERSAND MARGINAL FARMERS

SCI Farmers’ Perceived Benefits & SCI Farmers’ Perceived Benefits & ConstraintsConstraints

A. BENEFITS

• Less seed requirement

• Saving in water

• Less disease occurrence

• Less lodging

• Earlier maturity

• Higher grain yields

• Higher grain quality

• Increased biomass

• Improved soil fertility

B. CONSTRAINTS

• Difficulty in changing mindset

• Time-bound operations

• Labour-intensive

• Unavailability of irrigation and rainfall aberrations

• Limited availability of quality equipments

• Inadequate compost material

• More effort is required in operating weeder for small terraces & hard soil

Expenditure (in Rs./ha)

Method Plough-ing

Seed Seed Sowing

Manure Weeding Insect & Pest

Control

Harvesting &

Threshing

Others Total

Conven-tional

10,000 2,500 4,062 2,400 1,200 850 4,100 2,000 27,112

SWI 10,000 500 6,250 3,450 5,400 500 4,800 2,500 33,400Ave. Crop Yields (Q/ha)

Value of Grain and Straw (Rs.) Net Profit (Rs/ha) Benefit- Cost Ratio

Grain Straw Grain Straw Total

Conven-tional

28 48 30,800 9,600 40,400 13,288 1.5 :1

SWI 50 85 55,000 17,000 72,000 38,600 2.2:1

Cost:Benefit Analysis for SWI Crop vs.Cost:Benefit Analysis for SWI Crop vs.Conventional Methods of CultivationConventional Methods of Cultivation

For SWI crop -- B:C ratio is more than 2:1

252, Vasant Vihar, Phase I252, Vasant Vihar, Phase I

Dehra Doon - 248 006Dehra Doon - 248 006

UttarakhandUttarakhand

INDIAINDIA

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