A New Approach to Raise Production of Rice

System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

NARI Sapu Research Station.

The Gambia. 2000.

The early transplanted 20 cm spaced plot, 2 weeks after transplanting

The early transplanted 30 cm spaced plot, 2 weeks after transplanting

The early transplanted 40 cm spaced plot, 2 weeks after transplanting

A farmer’s field in the location, transplanted the same day as the SRI trial at 2 weeks after transplanting.

The 30 and 40 cm spacing had enough gap to allow weed growth in the inter-rows at 4 weeks after transplanting

Weeding is done using a roto-weeder

Roto-weeder

The early transplanted 20 cm spaced plot, 4 weeks after transplanting

The conventional method, transplanted with older seedlings under permanent flooding, 2 weeks after transplanting

The conventional method in the forefront and the SRI in the background

The early transplanted

seedlings had a single and thick-layered crown root, whereas the late

transplanted ones had 2

or 3 layered crown roots.

The SRI plots looking very spectacular at 4 weeks after transplanting. The choice of variety does not seem to have any impact, likewise the wider spacing.