Presentation by Khem Raj Dahal at the National SRI Nepal Network Meeting Title: SRI History, Present Perspectives and Future Strategies in Nepal Date: June 19, 2015 Venue: NARI Hall, Lalitpur, Nepal

1. SRI History, Present
Perspectives and Future
Strategies in Nepal
Khem Raj Dahal
Associate Professor
& Chairman
Department of Agronomy,
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Tribhuvan University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

2. History
• The first SRI trials in Nepal were undertaken in
1998 at Khumaltar Research Farm in
collaboration with the United States Agency for
International Development CRSP program.
• In 2001, CIMMYT conducted trials in NWRP,
Bhairawa and Appropriate Technology Asia (ATA)
in Suryodaya Farm Sitapaila.
• In 2002-2003, Farmer Field Schools in the
Sunsari-Morang Irrigation Project supported by
DFID undertook replicated SRI trials which
produced an average of 8 t/ha,

3. History Contd…
• In April 2002, SRI presentations were made at
(NARC) followed by the formation of a national
SRI network and the SRI-Nepal discussion group.
• A national workshop was held in 2003.
• During April 2005, an SRI project was among the
winners of the World Bank’s Nepal Development
Marketplace (NDM) competition.
• Mr. Rajendra Uprety, DADO, Morang won the
project and his trials from 2004-2007 showed
doubling of yields with early harvesting

4. History Contd…
• SRI evaluation was carried out in 2004 - 2005 by
PARDYP, ICIMOD with a few farmers in Jhiku
Khola Watership in 2004.
• Expanded into a 15-village program in 2005
where over 100 farmers participated in SRI
Farmer Field Schools.
• Results included a 40-50% yield increase, 75%
reduction in seed requirements and 50-75%
reduction in water use, as well as reduced labor
for transplanting and irrigation

5. History contd…
• In December 2005, ICIMOD hosted a national SRI
workshop in Kathmandu.
• During 2008, ATA successfully used SRI methods at
2500 m altitude in southern Humla.
• May 22-23, 2009, a training program was organized in
cooperation with World Vision International/Nepal and
Sunaulo Bihani Society Development Center.
• April 2010 NGO, FAYA-Nepal in collaboration with
UN/FAO established a demonstration plot and carried
out trainings in Kailali district.
• Demonstration plots were established in the Dolpa
district during July 2010.

6. At present
• There are five master's theses on SRI mainly
focused on evaluation of the system regarding
productivity ; economic viability; weed control;
potential environmental benefit; ) have been
completed at Tribhuvan University and University
of Life Sciences, Norway.
• About 6-7t/ha of yield; 2.83-3.08 BC ratio have
been reported in these works
• SRI combining with mechanization have been
reported to give 55% higher yields, with 27%
reduction in the cost of cultivation.

7. At present contd…
• The cost of chemical fertilizers was reduced by
48; percent, seed requirement was reduced by
90 percent, and the cost of pesticide was
reduced; by 99 percent.
• 118 percent Increase in rice yield with SRI
methods compared to non-SRI methods.
• Low emission of methane gas
• SRI trainings have been conducted involving
government agencies, UN and bilateral aid
groups, and national NGOs have increased the
spread of SRI in Nepal.

8. Problems
• Monsoon dependent rice farming and the focus
is on the main season rice crop
• Not reliable and dependable spring season rice
farming
• Water is not thought to be the scarce resource
but comfortable gift of nature
• Considered to be labor intensive
• Not a “fit to all” package of technology as is
the other recommended technologies

9. Problems contd…
• Pre-monsoon drought
• Declining organic matter in the soil
• Weed problems
• Attitude of the farmers
• Shortage of labor
• Needs suitable equipments
• Farmers attitude
• NARC has not taken the technology seriously

10. Way Forward
• Demark the suitable pockets such as western
Tarai and hill rice farms fro SRI
• Make SRI as one of the important components
of NRRP
• Rigorous training on the practice
• Develop technology for weed management
• Provision of simple weeding machines/tools
• Increase organic matter in the soil

11. THANK
YOU