System of Rice Intensification

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a methodology aimed at increasing the yield of rice produced in farming. It was developed in 1983 by the French Jesuit Father Henri de Laulanié in Madagascar.[1] However full testing of the system did not occur until some years later. The productivity of SRI is under debate between supporters and critics of the system.


Assembly of the practices that culminated in SRI began in the 1960s based on Fr. de Laulanie's observations. Principles included applying a minimum quantity of water and the individual transplanting of very young seedlings in a square pattern.[1]


SRI concepts and practices have continued to evolve as they are being adapted to rain-fed (unirrigated) conditions and with transplanting being superseded by direct-seeding sometimes. The central principles of SRI according to Cornell University are:[2]


- rice field soils should be kept moist rather than continuously saturated, minimizing anaerobic conditions, as this improves root growth and supports the growth and diversity of aerobic soil organisms;
- rice plants should be planted singly and spaced optimally widely to permit more growth of roots and canopy and to keep all leaves photosynthetically active; and
- rice seedlings should be transplanted when young, less than 15 days old with just two leaves, quickly, shallow and carefully, to avoid trauma to roots and to minimize transplant shock.