Author: A. M. Muazzam Husain Title: 1805 Experience with SRI in Bangladesh through Promotion and Networking Date: November 2, 2018 Event: Final Workshop: Sustaining and Enhancing the Momentum for Innovation and Learning around the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in the Lower Mekong River Basin (SRI-LMB) Venue: Novotel Sukumvit 20, Bangkok, Thailand

1. EXPERIENCE WITH SRI IN BANGLADESH
THROUGH PROMOTION AND NETWORKING
Prof. A. M. Muazzam Husain
Chairman, Bangladesh Rice Foundation and
Coordinator, SRI National Network Bangladesh

2. •
SRI was first introduced in Bangladesh in 1999-200 during the boro (winter)
in Kishoreganj district by Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE)
CARE/Bangladesh, yield was increased to 6.5-7.5 t/ha
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) scientist also conducted
experimental trials on SRI in Comilla sub-station and documented 1 t/ha
attributable to the adoption of SRI methods
Prof. Norman Uphoff visited Bangladesh in December, 2000 and gave seminars
both BRRI and BRAC on the SRI methodology. A working group was formed,
small-scale trials on SRI were undertaken
In January, 2002, multiple organizations interested in SRI formed a Steering
Committee, and SRI activities were formally initiated. The committee included
BRAC, BRRI, DAE, CARE, and Syngenta BD Ltd.
1. INTRODUCTION OF SRI IN BANGLADESH

3. INTRODUCTION OF SRI IN BANGLADESH … CONTINUED
In September 2002, at a next meeting, plans were drawn up for a systematic 2-year
evaluation of SRI under PETRRA project of IRRI/Bangladesh funded by DFID (UK)
PETRRA-IRRI/BD approved three sub-projects. A consortium of BRAC, CARE/POSD,
SAFE-BD, and Syngenta BD Ltd. jointly undertook one sub-project in 8 upazilas of four
districts. Two smaller sub-projects were undertaken by two BRRI scientists
In the BRAC-led study, per-hectare yield was increased to 6.1-8 t/ha, with an average
yield increase of 30%, cost reduction of 7%, and seed saving of 58%
Adoption was 25% in the first year, and 62% in the second year. Acreage increased by
90% during the second year; and participating farmers increased from 487in first year
to 1,028 during the 2nd year in the BRAC-led sub-project

4. FURTHER FINDINGS AND LEARNING
These studies provided a solid base of knowledge for understanding SRI method in
Bangladesh. Overall results in general were encouraging with respect to yield and
profitability, and these created farmers’ positive perception of SRI
OXFAM-GB Bangladesh carried out a three-year project in its River Basin Project
areas under a SRI team led by Prof. Husain, convener of the National SRI Steering
Committee
 Results showed that average yield of SRI plots was 6.6t/ha while in non-SRI plots, yield
was 5.3 t/ha during the 1st year, 25% higher yield in the first year and then 27% higher
during the 2nd year. Profitability was 78% higher in SRI plots. As a result, the number
of farmers adopting SRI method significantly increased during the second year
 However, transplantation of young seedlings during winter cold waves in Boro season
was hampered, and proper water management for scattered farms were found
difficult

5. • In February 2006, the SRI National Network Bangladesh (SRI-NNB) was
formed with membership from govt. research and extension organizations, NGOs,
private organizations in an extended meeting of the Steering Committe
SRI-NNB headquarters set up at the Bangladesh Rice Foundation office
SRI-NNB organized five national workshops for sharing experiences of several SRI
programs. In these workshops, policy-makers, scientists, GO and NGO
SRI activists, and farmers participated. Results of various SRI programs were
and discussed
Promotion of SRI was recommended through a GO-NGO coordinated approach in
these workshops
ORGANIZATIONAL INITIATIVES AND ACTION PROGRAMS

6. OTHER SRI-NNB ACTIVITIES OVER TIME
DAE signed MOU with BRF that included the promotion of SRI in Bangladesh
 Training of trainers was conducted with DAE staffs; SRI manuals, brochures and CDs
were published or prepared and distributed. Prof. Uphoff provided modest funding.
ADRA International helped with producing a CD on SRI
Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) was brought into action on SRI along
with some other organizations
A National Dialogue was organized in October 2012 with a follow-up meeting held later
in the year; following the national dialogue a new era of SRI movement started in
Bangladesh
SRI-NNB functions were de-centralized, and member organizations were assigned to
carry out their respective SRI action programs
 Coordinating function including training, motivational programs, and monitoring SRI
programs was given to the SRI-NNB

7. 2. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BRAC conducted a three-year program (AFSP) on SRI in northern and southern
districts covering 6693 farmers for validation and dissemination of SRI. SRI-NNB
conducted TOT for the BRAC staff, and a block system was adopted for facilitating
irrigation management according to SRI precepts
 Yield of BR-28 variety with SRI management was 16% higher compared to BRRI
method, and it was 52% higher than with farmers’ practices. With SRI, the benefit-
cost ratio was 2.6 compared to 1.25 with farmers’ practice.
 The evaluation found that higher yield, lower seed rate, lower irrigation cost, less
pest infestation, and lower labour cost contributed to highest profitability of SRI
over other methods
 Farmers continued SRI after the program was over. Report recommended further
demonstration of SRI method

8. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT …CONTINUED
Next, BRAC’s Research and Evaluation Division jointly with Monash University in Australia
conducted two studies to find out more about the adoption and diffusion of SRI. First phase of
this study found that yield in SRI was 15% higher and revenue was increased more than 14%.
Although yield was not increased much and cost of production was increased, profitability
significantly increased (30%). SRI adoption rate was found to be three times higher than that in
the control group
 Second-phase report is being finalized now. Provisional findings indicate repeated training
induces more farmers to adopt SRI which also increases farmers’ yield and profits significantly
 BRAC Internee report : A Queens University intern conducted four FGDs in four northern and
southern districts to find out farmers’ perception and degree of adoption of SRI
 FGD result found that SRI increased yield and profitability. Major constraint to adoption of SRI
was water management. Community approach for water management, to facilitate cooperation
will enable farmers to practice SRI more efficiently. Farmers showed enthusiasm in adopting SRI
if the constraints are removed

9. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT …CONTINUED
Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogra, conducted SRI trials during 2012-13
and found encouraging results
 RDA undertook a major five-year action research project in 2015-16 on “Extension
and Dissemination of Modern Water Saving Technologies and Management Practices
to Increase Crop Production” with 200 project sites of 40 districts of Bangladesh,
funded by GOB. SRI was one of the important components of the project
 The project adopted mechanized transplantation method, raised beds, and used
tricho-compost. RDA formed water user groups and signed contracts with water
suppliers
 At the end of the 3rd year, results indicate that yield as by 20-25%, seed saving was
about 50% , irrigation water saving (volume) was 18-22%, and savivng in terms of
cost was 21-27%

10. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT …CONTINUED
Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) conducted several field trials, and a
number of MS and PhD dissertations were also completed on SRI.
 One Ph.D. research found that SRI was found more suitable in boro (rabi)
season than in kharif season since water management interferes with
monsoon rain. Transplantation of 8-day old seedlings with a spacing of 30X30
cm gave higher yields (8 tons/ha during rabi, 6tons/ha during kharif). Some of
these research papers were presented during national workshops. Other
reports were also indicated positive results
As noted already, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) started with
an on-station study by a scientist in Comilla, where SRI methods achieved 1-
metric ton higher yield than did BRRI-approved methods
 Also, two BRRI scientists undertook small sub-projects under the PETRRA-
IRRI/Bangladesh project

11. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT …CONTINUED
 In 2007, under supervision of a BAU professor, a four-year Ph.D. research
study was started on the BRRI farm to investigate the effects of the critical
factors of SRI on the yield performance of irrigated boro rice (BRRI Dhan
29), running through 2011
 Results of the study showed that the average yield performance of SRI
was 8.45 t/ha with wider spacing (30cmX25cm), younger seedlings (12-
days old), and application of 10 t/ha of cow dung manure plus
recommended inorganic fertilizer.
 This, coupled with use of seedlings raised in a compost-rich bed and
with rational water management, helped SRI plots achieve the highest
grain yield (10.17 tons/ha)

12. 3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FARMERS NETWORK
Block / Community approach used by BRAC and RDA was
found to be effective in water management and cost reduction.
AWD with SRI saves water use by 18-22% and it lowers
irrigation cost by 21%-27% while increasing average yield by
10-15%

13. 4. SRI INNOVATION AND LEARNING
 In cold-prone areas, average seedling age for transplantation should be
increased to around three weeks. With colder temperatures, the seedling
development is equivalent to two weeks at warmer temperatures, seedlings
still have less than 4 phyllochrons of growth
 Mechanized transplanter can save time and cost (RDA project)
 Raised-bed soil management showed positive results by reducing cost and
soil erosion and by improving of soil fertility, also confronting adverse effects
of climate change (RDA project)
 Tricho-composts facilitate the benefits of using organic manure; reduce
dependence on chemical fertilizer; and help sustainable production

14. 5. INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN AND LANDLESS
 Women are traditionally involved in transplantation, post-harvest activities, and seed
preservation in many areas of Bangladesh
 In SRI, women are more involved in all these activities
 During SRI trainings, women farmers took active part as group members
 Women have more access to micro-finance in projects that have production groups
 Landless farmers and sharecroppers also participate as SRI production group farmers
 Mechanization is increasing employment opportunities for landless farmers in
operating and maintenance of machinery, but promoting such opportunities can be
enhanced by government and NGO initiative

15. 6. FUTURE PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Future Plans:
 Explore funding sources for promoting and expanding SRI across the country and
throughout the seasons where feasible
 Conduct nation-wide survey to identify suitable new areas for SRI expansion
 Undertake promotional activities such as :
a. Develop updated SRI manual, leaflets, and videos for large-scale distribution
b. Strengthen of training, monitoring, evaluation, and learning of SRI programs
c. Strengthen market linkages through community involvement

16. FUTURE PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS … CONTINUED
Recommendations:
 Government-level policy support and action should promote SRI for attaining food
security in Bangladesh
 Appropriate supportive actions:
a. Appropriate water management through community engagement in
coordination among water owners and water user groups
b. Repeated training and demonstrations on SRI must be undertaken for farmer
group members to improve effective improvement of SRI methods
c. SRI should be included in the DAE extension training curricula
d. Government, donor and INGO support to be provided to SRI-NNB to facilitate
its coordinating function to expand SRI in sustainable manner