AGARTALA, July 19 (TIWN): With the aim to increase the yield of rice production and to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains, Workshop on sensitization towards achieving self-sufficiency in food grain production is held at Pragna Bhawan on Sunday.

Agriculture Minister Aghore Debbarma speaking at the program said that the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methodology is aimed to be adopted for increasing the yield of rice production.

To reduce hunger and extreme poverty by improving productivity of rice and other crops based on environment-friendly agricultural practices that preserve and improve the natural resource base and help to better withstand changing climate conditions, the SRI is to be adopted, added Debbarma.

He further said it is important to achieve self-sufficiency in food-grains and it can be achieve by 2017 by adopting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methodology for improved paddy cultivation.

Paddy cultivation requires a lot of water. In fact the year’s production of paddy depends to a large extent on the season’s rainfall and any delay or failure in the monsoon has a direct impact on the paddy yield.

SRI technique will establish and increase yield and helps farmers get a better income.  The system of rice intensification (SRI) is a new and evolving alternative to conventional methods of rice cultivation.

Discussing with the representatives of farmers, Dr. D.P.Sarkar Director of Agriculture stressed on the methodology of using SRI process for paddy cultivation.

In this method, rice seedlings are transplanted early (eight to 12 days old compared to 21 days in the conventional method). They are transplanted in un-puddle condition; the seedlings are widely spaced (up to 20, 25, 30 or even 50 cm apart). The fields are alternately kept wet and dry; they are not flooded until the panicle initiation stage (1-3 cm of water in the field during the reproductive phase).

The field is drained 25 days before harvest and organic manure is used as much as possible. Mechanical weeding should start around 10 days after transplantation; at least two weeding are necessary, more are recommended. It is supposed to provide better growing conditions in the root zone, save inputs, improve soil health and optimize water use efficiency, said Dr. D.P.Sarkar Director Agriculture.

However, Agriculture Minister Aghore Debbarma, PB Jamatia JDA (Res), SARS, Principal Secretary Dr GSG Ayyangar, ML Sukla Das Deputy Director of Agriculture along with other dignities remained present in the program.