System of Rice Intensification

MYANMAR

Overview	Reports and Articles	Slide Presentations
Progress and Activities	Research and Evaluations	Photo Collection

Overview

In 2000, Metta Development Foundation, through its agricultural advisor Humayun Kabir, conducted its first experiments with SRI in Kachin State. After a disappointing first year (yields of 1.97-2.73 t/ha - apparently due to late planting) the 2001 average was 5.5 t/ha compared with the typical yield of 2.5 t/ha. In the next two years, the average remained over 5 t/ha, with a few yields reaching into the 10-15 t/ha range.

Since 2001, Metta has conducted more than 600 Farmer Field Schools (FSS) where SRI has been taught as the major strategy for rice cultivation. Kabir estimates that as many as 50,000 farmers in Kachin and Shan States who participated in the Metta-sponsored FFS training or learned the methods from participants are using SRI in various degrees; at least 15% of these, or 7,500 farmers, are believed to be using all the main practices of SRI. In 2006, Kabir completed a PhD dissertation on Adaptation and adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Myanmar using the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach.

During the 2007 wet season, full-scale SRI (at least 5 to 6 of the practices) was in use on around 10,000 acres in Metta program areas. (Kabir estimates that approximately 150,000 acres are cultivated using some of the SRI practices.) Rice yields, which vary significantly with the practices used, are reported from 4 tons per hectare to 10 tons/ha, with most of the averages from 5 to 6 tons/ha (an increase of 100 to 300% over baseline yields of 2 to 3 tons/ha) (see report).

During 2008, SRI methods were introduced by Metta Foundation in lowland Ayerawadi division, which is in the ‘rice bowl’ of Myanmar. The good success there is due to good water control and farmers' desire to lower their agrochemical-related production costs. Among other NGOs working with SRI as of 2008 were: GRET in Rakhine State, GAA (German Agro-Action) in Wa region and Ayerawadi division, and World Concern in Kachin, Shan and Chin states. A consortium of 20 primarily local NGOs, known as the Food Security Working Group (FSWG) is also supporting SRI trials.

In 2009-2010, the Metta Development Foundation expanded SRI promotion with CARITAS-Swiss funding to help cyclone-affected communities in the Delta region to recover from the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Nargis. Trained in Farmer Field Schools, 633 farmers cultivated 679 acres of rice, harvesting a total of 808 metric tons of rice in three townships of the Ayerawadi division. SRI modifications included experiments with direct seeding using labor-saving drum seeders (see report).

Progress and Activities

2009-2010

• Weed Management for SRI Yetzin Agricultural University Master's Thesis

  In a master's thesis undetaken at Yetzin Agricultural University in Myanmar, Soe Thura evaluated the effectiveness of different weed control methods in SRI by carrying out two experiments during the dry and wet seasons of 2009. Six treatments, including a control without weeding and various combinations of hand-weeding, use of rotary weeder and herbicide application, were undertaken using a randomized complete block design. Yield loss due to weed competition in the experiments ranged from 49.97% to 74.06%. An economic analysis indicated that rotary weeding at 15 days after transplanting (DAT) followed by hand-weeding at 35 DAT was the most cost-effective weeding method for SRI when compared to other combinations of hand-weeding, rotary weeding and herbicide application (see thesis for details).

• Researchers at Taungoo University are Using SRI Methods to Grow Rice on 50 Acres

  According to an article in the Myanmar Times (August 22, 2010), researchers at Taungoo University are using SRI methods to grow rice on 50 acres of their 285-acre compound. In October or November they are planning to share their experience with local farmers, who are being encouraged to switch to SRI in the hopes of increasing their yield. Dr. Aung Thu, the university rector, said that three of the 50 acres will be purely organic.

• Adaptation of SRI in the Ayerawadi Delta of Myanmar by the Metta Foundation

  With funding from CARITAS-Swiss, the Metta Development Foundation, an indigenous NGO, mounted a project introducing SRI to help cyclone-affected communities in the Delta region to recover from the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Nargis in 2009. Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) were introduced to train farmers on the principles and techniques of SRI as an entry-point methodology for restoring rice cultivation.

  According to a report by Humayun Kabir, the Metta Development Foundation's agricultural advisor, 35 facilitators trained by the Metta-CARITAS project conducted 33 FFSs in Laputta, Myaungmya, Pathein and Kangyidaung townships of Ayerarwadi division in the 2009 rainy season. A total of 688 farmers (617 male and 71 female) participated in these schools, averaging 21 farmers per FFS. The project distributed drum seeders and rotary weeders to the farmers to use with SRI methods on their fields. Among those trained, 633 farmers proceeded to cultivate a total of 679 acres of rice. From the cultivated 679 acres, a total of 40,398 baskets (808 metric tons of new rice), worth US$ 202,000 at the current local price, were produced. (click on photo at right to enlarge)

  Three modifications of SRI were used by these farmers. Because of the rainy season, a majority used seedlings 15-20 days old, a little older than recommended, but more than 10% of the farmers did use very young seedlings, 8-10 days old. Another 10% used the drum seeder to sow seeds in lines instead of transplanting, an option Metta wants to evaluate. Use of organic matter for soil fertilization helped to mitigate the effects of salinity.

  After participating in FFS training, farmers were not only able to reestablish their rice farming, but many were able with the new methods to increase their yields as well, by about 30-100% more than their usual averages in the pre-cyclone period, around 40-50 baskets (800-1000 kg) per acre. It should be noted that most of the farmers did not use any chemical fertilizers to grow this rice this time. So, by saving this cost they enjoyed increased benefits in addition to their increase in yields.

  Also, at least 20% as many farmers who had not participated in FFS training also used the new techniques on their fields, cultivating about one acre each with SRI methods. They have cultivated all together 170 acres of rice with these new methods, in addition to the area planted by the FFS farmers. Their yield came to around 10, 000 baskets (200 tons) of new rice, equivalent to around US$ 50,000.

  The current season began in December 2009, and Metta staff have begun another 33 new FFSs. Nearly 1,000 farmers have started cultivating more than 1,000 acres of rice with SRI methods will harvest by April 2010. The majority have used drum seeders this time, with the second largest group using 8-10 day-old young seedlings. Only a very small percentage used somewhat older seedlings, 15-20 days, which is an indication of farmer satisfaction with the results obtained from starting with younger seedlings. The labor-saving possibilities of direct-seeding are popular with farmers. Rice yields are expected to be much higher than in the rainy season due to increased water control.

2008 UPDATE

• 50,000 Farmers Estimated to be Using SRI Methods

  Humayun Kabir, agricultural advisor for the Metta Development Foundation operating in northern Myanmar, figures that about 50,000 farmers in Kachin and Shan states are using some combination of SRI practices as of 2008 (see report). Over 12,000 were trained in farmer field schools on SRI methods, and follow-up studies indicate that the total number who have learned the methods through subsequent farmer-to-farmer dissemination would be about 4 times that number. (Since in Cambodia, a GTZ evaluation found that SRI farmers trained by the NGO CEDAC had spread knowledge of SRI methods, on average, to 16 other farmers, this number of four-fold dissemination seems reasonable.)

  A number of other NGOs who have also taken up SRI dissemination in this and other parts of the country. This add at least another 5,000 farmers, not considering any indirect diffusion farmer-to-farmer. Even partial use of SRI methods is more than doubling previous yields, and more complete use is yielding 5-6 t/ha where 2 t/ha has been the norm. SRI is now being introduced into delta areas in the Myanmar lowlands which are the main rice-producing part of the country, and there are indications that SRI uptake will be even more rapid there.

2006

• Humayun Kabir Completes Dissertation on SRI and Farmer Field Schools

  Humayun Kabir completed his dissertation entitled "Adaptation and Adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Myanmar Using the Farmer Field School (FFS) Approach" at the University of Honolulu (2006). The primary purpose of the study was to 1) investigate and assess the adoptability/adaptability through an FFS experience, 2) study the interactions and relationships between SRI and FFS and the particular factors that contribute to the adoption and adaptation process with SRI, and 3) assess the overall contributions and the combined effects of both SRI and FFS to improving the socioeconomic conditions, as well as the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers in Myanmar. His conclusions are outlined in Chapter 7.

2000-2003

• SRI Reported to be Spreading in Myanmar in 2003

  In June 2003, the Department of Agriculture invited Uphoff to visit Myanmar to make a presentation, with Kabir, to Department technical staff about SRI. Evaluations and extension of SRI methods appeared to be spreading in the northeastern part of the country as of mid-2003.

• Metta Development Foundation Promotes SRI in Kachin and Shan States

  The Metta Development Foundation demonstrated and disseminated SRI in the Farmer Field Schools that it operates in the Kachin and Shan states in the hill regions on the Thai border. Humayun Kabir, formerly with IIRR in the Philippines was agricultural advisor. SRI performance the first year (2000) was disappointing, 1.97-2.73 t/ha, probably because the crop was planted about one month late. The vigorous tillering encouraged Metta to persevere. The next year, 2001, the average was 5.5 t/ha compared with the typical yield of 2.5 t/ha. In the next two years, the average has remained over 5 t/ha, with a few yields reaching into the 10-15 t/ha range.

Reports and Articles

• Oo, Moe Naing. 2011. A paddy rice success story: The testimony of Mr. U Win Thein. World Services Fruit Salad blog. April 1. [Article about farmer success with SRI methods in a Lutheran World Federation project in the delta region of Myanmar]
• Oo, Shwe Yinn Mar. 2010. University conducting research into rice yield. MyanmarTimes, August 16-22, 2010.
• Kabir, Humayun. 2010. Adaptation of SRI in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta of Myanmar by the Metta Foundation. Metta Development Foundation. (Yangon, Myanmar). System of Rice Intensification website. (2p., 12KB pdf)
• Kabir, Humayun. 2008. Update of SRI in Myanmar. Metta Development Foundation (Yangon, Myanmar). System of Rice Intensification website. (2p., 15KB)
• Din, Debbie Aung and Murielle Morisson. 2003. Evaluation Report: Farmer Field School for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Myanmar. Metta Development Foundation. System of Rice Intensification website. (35p., 1.35MB)
• Kabir, Humayun. 2002. The Practice of the System of Rice Intensification in Northern Myanmar. Paper presented at the international conference on Assessments of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), April 1-4, in Sanya, China.
• Government of Myanmar. 2004. Rice intensification system boosts output. Government of Myanmar website. July 24. [Covers Deputy Minister for Agriculture Brig-Gen Khin Maung's visit to see SRI plots at the Agricultural Development Training School in Naungkham Village, Hsihseng Township, Shan State (South).]

Research and Evaluations

• Thura, Soe. 2010. Evaluation of weed management practices in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Master's thesis. Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar. (89p., 770KB)
• Kabir, Humayun and N. Uphoff. 2007. Results of disseminating the System of Rice Intensification with Farmer Field School methods in Northern Myanmar. Experimental Agriculture 43(4), 463-476. doi:10.1017/S0014479707005340
• Kabir, Humayun. 2006. Adaptation and adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Myanmar using the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach. PhD diss., University of Honolulu. (124p., 2.47MB pdf)
• Din, Debbie Aung and Murielle Morisson. 2003. Evaluation Report: Farmer Field School for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Myanmar. Metta Development Foundation. System of Rice Intensification website. (35p., 1.36MB pdf)

PowerPoint Presentations

• Kabir, Humayun. 2003. System of Rice Intensification in Myanmar. Metta Development Foundation. 25 Slides (also embedded below).
  
  0403 System of Rice Intensification in Myanmar

  View more presentations from SRS Program, CIIFAD, Cornell University.

Photo Collection

TheSRI-Rice Myanmar Photo Collection contains pictures obtained from Humayun Kabir and Norman Uphoff. (Click on the photo showing to enlarge it). If you do not have Flash installed, click here to see individual photos which are made available on Picasaweb.