The document provides an overview of the development and spread of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of rice cultivation. It discusses how SRI originated in Madagascar in the 1980s and was initially only practiced there, but then spread to other countries starting in 1999. It details the many countries that have since adopted SRI through demonstrations and conferences. It also summarizes endorsements of SRI by leaders in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the World Bank for its ability to increase yields while reducing water use and fertilizer. The document outlines the growing international SRI Network and new initiatives to support its continued expansion through organizations like Cornell University.

1. Welcome from
International SRI Network
SRI Network is not formal, not planned –
It exists, and grows, and prospers
We expect that it will become more visible
and more effective through this IRC

2. SRI originated in Madagascar in 1980s
Until 1999, Madagascar was the only
country in the world where SRI was known

3. SRI started spreading in 1999-2000
China, Indonesia; Madagascar

4. Then SRI spread farther through
demonstrations: in 15 countries by 2002
Cambodia, Cuba, Philippines, Laos, Thailand,
Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Sri Lanka, India,
Bangladesh, Nepal; China, Indonesia; Madagascar

5. April 1-4, 2002:
First International SRI
Conference, Sanya, China
Hosted by China National Hybrid Rice
Research and Development Center,
with the co-sponsorship of:
• Association Tefy Saina
•China National Rice Research
Institute, and
•Cornell Intl. Inst. for Food,
Agriculture & Development
Grant from Rockefeller Foundation with
support of WB Agr & RD Dept.
50 international participants from
15 countries, plus 60 Chinese
participants  got agreement for
‘walking on both legs’ strategy --
reearch + practice go together

7. Before 1999: Madagascar
1999/2000: China, Indonesia
2000/01: Bangladesh, Cuba, Laos,
Cambodia, Gambia, India, Nepal,
Myanmar, Philippines, Sierra Leone,
Sri Lanka, Thailand
2002/03: Benin, Guinea, Peru, Moz.
2004/05: Senegal, Pakistan,
Vietnam
2006: Burkina Faso, Bhutan,
Iran, Iraq, Zambia
2007: Afghanistan, Brazil, Mali
2008: Rwanda, Costa Rica,
Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Japan
2009: Malaysia, Timor Leste
2010: Kenya, DPRK, Panama,
Today, the benefits of SRI have now been validated in
42 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America

8. SRI Network is diversified
• Leading and supporting roles vary widely:
• NGOs (Cambodia, Philippines, Myanmar, Mali)
• Government agencies (Nepal, Vietnam, Tripura)
• Universities (Tamil Nadu, Japan, Indonesia)
• Research institutions (China, Gambia, Iraq, Iran)
• Private sector (Indonesia, Pakistan, Costa Rica)
• Foundations (India)
• Individuals, farmers (Cuba, Bangladesh, Panama)
•National SRI initiatives usually include a
range of institutional allies and individuals,
with shared goals and shared values 
benefit farmers + consumers + environment

9. Network continues to diversify
SRI endorsements at the Annual Meeting in
New York City of Clinton Global Initiative,
September 2010:
•Lotus Foods, small family company in San
Francisco, CA, importing specialty rices on
organic/fair trade basis (presentation by
Ken Lee, co-founder)
•Better U Foundation, Los Angeles, CA,
supporting more equitable & sustainable
world (presentation by Jim Carrey, actor
and philanthropist)

10. Video clips from Lee and Carrey

11. Our Cornell capacity to assist the
International SRI Network is now
enhanced by Better U Foundation:
SRI International Network and
Resources Center (SRI-Rice)
• Erika Styger – Director of Programs
• Lucy Fisher – Director of Communication,
responsible for website development and
management, electronic outreach
• Olivia Vent – Special Projects
• Norman Uphoff – Senior Advisor
Advisory Committees and Working Groups will
be formed for wider involvement – also an
NGO is being established: SRI Global Inc.
(SGI)

12. SRI continues to get
growing attention & support
• SRI endorsement by President of the
World Bank, December 2009, then by
the Prime Minister of India, April 2010
• Previously, SRI got endorsements from
the President of Indonesia, July 2007,
and Vietnam Ministry of Agricultural
and Rural Development, October 2007

13. “Everyone cites India’s Green Revolution. But I’m
even more intrigued by what is known as SRI, or
system of rice intensification, and I know this is also
an area of interest for [Prime Minister] Manmohan
Singh.
“Using smart water management and planting
practices, farmers in Tamil Nadu have increased rice
yields between 30 and 80 per cent, reduced water
use by 30 per cent, and now require significantly less
fertilizer.
“This emerging technology not only addresses food
security, but also the water scarcity challenge that
climate change is making all the more dangerous.
These are all lessons for our world.”
Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank
Hindustan Times, December 2, 2009

14. PM’s speech – First Core Group of Central Ministers and
State Chief Ministers on Prices of Essential Commodities,
April 8, 2010:
… we must insulate the poor and the vulnerable from any rapid rise in
prices of food items and essential commodities … our food production
needs to grow at a faster rate. .. The strategies will necessarily be
different for different areas of our country. Punjab and Haryana
farmers showed the way by adopting intensive, HYV-based agriculture
some 40 years ago. They have to do it again through reduced water
use, and through better agronomic practice like the System of Rice
Intensification method of rice cultivation… The need of the hour is
to re-focus attention on agriculture and prepare strategies to bring in
the next agricultural revolution …

15. “… this SRI method is a proven
example where the agriculture is
sustained ,and it is a correction
to the Green Revolution… This
SRI method, being a solution
instead of adding to the problem
[of environmental deterioration],
and by providing opportunities
for agricultural development, is
therefore very suitable for
Indonesia. “
Dialog dengan Petani di Cianjur
Pemerintah Diminta Sebarluaskan Padi SRI
SBY speaking at SRI Harvest Festival,
Cianjur, July 30, 2007

16. SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURAL
& RURAL DEVELOPMENT Hanoi, October 15th
, 2007
No: 3062/QD-BNN-KHCN
DECISION
Acknowledging “The Application of the System of Rice Intensification in rice cultivation in a
number of Northern Provinces” to be a technical advance
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2003/ND-CP, dated July 18th
, 2003 by the Government regulating the
function, task, authority and organization of the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development,
Pursuant to the Minutes of the Science and Technology Council, dated April 1st
, 2007, on the
evaluation of the research project namely “Application of the System of Rice Intensification in rice
production in Northern ecological areas in order to implement the “3 more - 3 less” program,
According to the proposal by the Science and Technology Department, DECIDES
Article 1. Acknowledge “The Application of the System of Rice Intensification in rice production in a
number of Northern Provinces” to be a technical advance (summary attached).
Article 2. Authors and relevant agencies and institutions be responsible for guiding and disseminating
this technical advance in agricultural production.
Article 3. The Ministry’s Office Manager, Director of the Science and Technology Department, Director
of the Plant Protection Department, Director General of the Cultivation Department, Director of the
National Agricultural Extension Center, Directors of the Provincial Agricultural and Rural Departments,
and relevant agencies be responsible for implementing this Decision.
FOR MINISTER VICE MINISTER
Science and Technology Dept. (signed and sealed)
Bùi Bá Bổng

17. We want to thank the
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURAL AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT (PPD) and
OXFAM AMERICA
for organizing this SRI DAY
On behalf of VIETNAM NATIONAL SRI COMMITTEE
which also includes participation from:
•Center for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
•Hanoi Agricultural University
•Japanese Overseas Volunteer (JOVC)
•Oxfam Quebec
•Thai Nguyen University
•plus others . . .