Integrated Programmes - The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a socio-economic and technical movement in India

Coordinator: Prof. dr. P. Richards (Wageningen Universiteit & Researchcentrum)
Co-applicant: Dr. C. Shambu Prasad (Xavier Institute of Management)

Programme outline:
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an approach to rice cultivation that is claimed to be more productive and more sustainable than conventional methods. Although these claims have been questioned or dismissed by many rice scientists, SRI has spread rapidly among farmers. Its spread could be seen as surprising, since efforts to promote scientifically validated technologies and recommended practices often have limited impacts on farmers? behaviour. Yet, the adoption of new rice cultivation practices by small and marginal farmers may have important implications for food security, poverty and livelihoods. This proposed integrated programme seeks to understand the social processes, institutional mechanisms, economic factors and technical considerations that have led to SRI?s apparent success in social, institutional and technical terms. The programme thus aims to generate new insights into processes of grassroots innovation and technical change in developing-country agriculture, leading to lessons for agricultural policy, scientific research and extension practice.