System of rice intensification (SRI): An innovative and remunerative method of rice cultivation in Tripura, India

摘要

System of rice intensification (SRJ) has been gaining momentum over the years in Tripura, one of the eastern states of India. To meet the growing rice demand, a rapid increase in paddy production is needed. Considering the growing importance of Systemof Rice Intensification (SRI) in the state, the need for such a study was felt and accordingly the present study was conducted in Sepahijala district of Tripura on the basis of highest area coverage under SRI among all districts of the State. SRI offersan interesting alternative to improve rice productivity. The present study was carried out to examine the comparative economics of SRI and conventional methods of rice cultivation in Tripura, India during the year 2016-17. For the study 120 sample farmers were selected by using multistage random sampling. The cost concepts were used are Cost A, Cost B and Cost C. This paper has compared the economics of SRI and the conventional methods of rice cultivation. It has shown that gross return and net returnwere much higher for SRI (Rs. 129000.50), (Rs. 67050.50) than conventional (Rs. 78444.00), (Rs. 27168.00), respectively. Similarly, the return over cost was higher for SRI (2.08) than conventional (1.52) methods. The present study concludes that SRI hasa tremendous potential to increase the production of rice. Moreover, adoption of this technique by the farmers would give them higher yields which in turn will help them to earn more and improve their socio-economic situation. It has proved to serve as an alternative method for rice cultivation.