System of Rice Intensification

THAILAND

Overview of SRI in Thailand	Reports / Articles	Videos / Audio
Progress / Activities ('11-'12)	Workshops	Slide Presentations
Activity Archives ('01-'10)	Extension Material	Photo Collection

Overview

Although initial 2001 trials of SRI methods by the Multiple Cropping Center (MCC) at Chiang Mai University were not successful, continued evaluations by MCC, the McKean Rehabilitation Center (see MRC trials) and others led to a national SRI network, which was formalized at a national SRI workshop held in Chiang Mai in May 2003. A February 15, 2005, meeting of the SRI Network in Thailand held at MCC reviewed progress of network members (4 government groups and 9 NGOs and projects). With Thailand Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN) coordination, the SRI Network organized a workshop in June 2005 co-hosted by the Surin Farmers' Support Project (SFS) in the southern section of northeast Thailand.

During 2005-2006, Abha Mishra, at the time a PhD student at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), wrote successful proposals to the Asia Rice Foundation USA (see resulting journal article) and the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food to support participatory action research with farmer field school groups to evaluate SRI.The CPWF project, undertaken by an AIT team headed by Dr. V. M. Salokhe, introduced SRI through action-research with villages in northeast Thailand (see report on Increasing water use efficiency by using mulch under SRI management practices in Northeast Thailand and video).

The 2008 AIT project proposal on Community preparedness for climate change and increased water use efficiency for rice cultivation using principles of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in central Thailand was selected for the Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) Showcase 2008 Programme.

A Southeast Asia regional workshop on SRI involving Mekong River Basin (MRB) countries (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand) was organized at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand, June 22-23, 2009, in collaboration with the World Bank Institute. During 2011, AIT began a EU-financed regional project, Sustaining and Enhancing the Momentum for Innovation and Learning around the SRI in the Lower Mekong River Basin, which is focused rainfed SRI in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

Progress and Activities

2011-2012 Updates

• Cambodian NGO Shares SRI Expertise with Chachoengsao Province, Thailand

  Mr. Vann Saran, a staff member of the Cambodian NGO CEDAC, was posted in Thailand for a 10 months assignment with the FK (Fredskorpset Norway) exchange program. His tasks were to share knowledge and experiences from CEDAC as well as to learn from the host organization techniques. Saran conducted SRI demonstrations at Bana Isan village, Sanam Chaiket district, Chachoengsao province (right), Thailand. Twelve farmers from Hin Rae cooperative and Banna Isan group followed the demonstrations, which took place from August 23 to December 14, 2011, on a plot of 15m x 25m. While the yield of 2,340 kg/ha seems low, it is actually high when compared to the 300 kg/ha average yield with the traditional methods. The farmers appreciated the field practice of the SRI techniques because by using less rice seed and fewer resources and transplanting only one seedling, they could get around 11 tillers per clump on average and a higher yield than usual. (For details, see CEDAC report).

• Article on the Potential of SRI and the FFS Approach in NE Thailand for Increasing Sustainability in a Climate Change Context

  A January 2012 article by Abha Mishra et al published in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability describes the facilitated learning process of farmers, its results and implications in addressing the low productivity of Jasmine rice in northeast Thailand. The SRI-Farmer Field School (SRI-FFS) approach was used in a collaborative action research involving numerous stakeholders and a thorough analysis of the current management practices and innovative agronomic crop management (IACM) practices was conducted. The results confirmed the potential of IACM in enhancing crop and water productivity along with soil fertility with relatively low input-use (seed, water and fertilizers) and higher net farm-income compared to existing crop management practices. The study found that factors such as the age of the farmers and off-farm employment opportunity are key drivers that affect the crop management decision-making process. The study recommended exploration of value-added production alternatives and favorable policies to sustain IACM practices that can benefit farmers, consumers and the environment. The participation of policy-makers at the action research continuum was deemed to be essential for effective follow up, scaling up and sustainability of such environmentally sound practices. (see full article for details; if subscription prevents access, contact the authors).

2011

• Five-Year AIT Project on SRI in the Lower Mekong River Basin Funded by the European Community

  A regional project on Sustaining and Enhancing the Momentum for Innovation and Learning around the SRI in the Lower Mekong River Basin proposed by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok to the European Community (EC) for financing was approved during September 2011. The five-year 2.88 million euro project will be implemented in rainfed areas of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

  The project goal is to enhance the resilience of rainfed smallholder farmers and their farming communities as they deal with climate change and other challenges in the four countries. The main project partners are the FAO Regional IPM Programme, Oxfam America, and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, UK. Project associates include the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD) in USA and the University of Queensland in Australia. Project partners will stimulate and support local innovation through farmers’ participatory action research (FPAR) and collaboration among agricultural sector professionals and organizations for enhancing food security.

• Asian Institute for Technology (AIT) APFED Showcase Project on SRI Concludes

  The summary report of the 2009-2011 AIT project on Community preparedness for climate change and increased water use efficiency for rice cultivation using principles of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in central Thailand is now available. The project was part of Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) Showcase 2008 Programme and was intended to build capacity of rice farmers, researchers and extension personnel and other stakeholders to raise the rice production while reducing its requirement for water but also mitigating adverse climate change that results from greenhouse gas emission. It helped farmers to become partners for climate-change mitigation and adaptation, preparing for and coping with, strategies through adapting and adopting improved crop and water management practices towards such as intermittent irrigation, which is well- known and scientifically established way for reduction in methane emission. (See article on 2010 field day with 180 farmers).

For 2001-2010 SRI Activities, see Thailand Archives

Workshops and Meetings

• A Northern Thailand SRI Network was formed during a meeting organized by the ECHO Regional Office and facilitated by Green Net at ISAC (FARM). Thirty participants from 13 organizations from Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Chiang Mai attended.
• A Southeast Asia Regional Knowledge Exchange on SRI Producing More with Less Water involving MRB countries (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand) was organized at Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, June 22-23, 2009, in collaboration with World Bank Institute, Washington DC, followed by a field-visit on 24 June in NE Thailand.
• A workshop on practices and experiences with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) was held during June 2005 near the provincial capital of Surin. The Thailand Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN) organized the workshop which was co-hosted by the Surin Farmers’ Support Project (SFS)
• A meeting of the SRI Network, organized by MCC/CMU (Multiple Cropping Center), was held at Chiang Mai University, February 15, 2005.
• A national SRI workshop, held at Chiang Mai University, June 5-6, 2003, was organized by MCC/CMU (Multiple Cropping Center) in cooperation with ISAC, RRAFA and MRC.

Reports and Articles

Research and Evaluations

• Mishra, Abha, Prabhat Kumar and Andrew Noble. 2012. Assessing the potential of SRI management principles and the FFS approach in Northeast Thailand for sustainable rice intensification in the context of climate change. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (published online early by iFirst). doi:10.1080/14735903.2012.658648
• Mishra, Abha, and Vilas M. Salokhe. 2011. Rice root growth and physiological responses to SRI water management and implications for crop productivity. Paddy and Water Environment 9:41-52. DOI: 10.1007/s10333-010-0240-4
• Sooksa-Nguan, Thanwalee, Phrek Gypmantasiri, Nantakorn Boonkerd, Janice E. Thies, and Neung Teaumroong. Changes in Bacterial Community Composition in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Microbes and Environments 23(3):224-227. DOI:10.1264/jsme2.ME09184
• Mishra, A. and V. M. Salokhe. 2010.The Effects of Planting Pattern and Water Regime on Root Morphology, Physiology and Grain Yield of Rice. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 196(5):368-378. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-037X.2010.00421.x
• Mishra, Abha. 2009. System of rice intensification (SRI): A quest for interactive science to mitigate the climate change vulnerability. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 6: 242028. DOI: 10.1088/1755-1307/6/24/242028
• Mishra, Abha and V.M. Salokhe. 2008. Seedling characteristics and the early growth of transplanted rice under different water regimes. Experimental Agriculture 44:365-383. doi:10.1017/S0014479708006388
• Mishra, Abha. 2006. Increasing water use efficiency by using mulch under SRI management practices in Northeast Thailand. Paper presented at the the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food Forum, November 12-16, in Vientiane, Laos. (68p., 866KB pdf)
• Gypmantasiri, Phrek. 2002. Experience with the System of Rice Intensification in Northern Thailand. Presentation at the international conference on Assessments of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), April 1-4, in Sanya, China. [Presentation from the Multiple Cropping Foundation, Chiang Mai University]

General Reports and Articles

• Li, Zhong. 2012. The system of rice intensification (SRI) is gaining ground in Asia. Thai Business News, May 15.
• Mishra, Abha. 2011. Sustaining and enhancing the momentum for innovation and learning around the SRI in the Lower Mekong River Basin. System of Rice Intensification website. September 9.
• Mishra, Abha and Prabhat Kumar. 2011. Community preparedness for climate change and increased water use efficiency for rice cultivation using principles of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Central Thailand: Summary report. System of Rice Intensification website. May 1. (16p. 595KB pdf) [This Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) Showcase 2008 project was undertaken 2009-2011 by the Asian Institute of Technology in collaboration with Department of Agriculture Extension, Royal Government of Thailand and the rice farmers of Ratchaburi province. It was intended to bring the latest agricultural innovation to the rice farming communities of central Thailand to prepare them to cope with the negative externalities of the climate change.]
• 2010. Innovative climate friendly rice production in Central Thailand. Greater Mekong Subregion Energy and Environment Network section of the Asian Institute of Technology website. 30 March.
• Mishra, Abha and Prabhat Kumar. 2009. Southeast Asia Regional Knowledge Exchange on SRI Producing More with Less Water. Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. (109p., 13.22 MB pdf)
• 2008-2009. Various entries related to SRI on the Surin Farmers Support blog. (http://www.surinfarmersupport.org/search/label/SRI)
• Uphoff, Norman. 2007. Report on visit to Thailand to review SRI Progress. System of Rice Intensification website. July 18-20. (3p. pdf) [Trip report for the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development]
• Salokhe, V.M., P. Kumar and A. Mishra. 2007. Increasing Water Use Efficiency by Using Mulch under SRI Management Practices in Northeast Thailand, Participatory Action Phase (July.- Dec. 2006). CPFW, AIT and TEF, Bangkok. System of Rice Intensification website. (40 p., 2.13MB pdf) [Challenge Programme for Water and Food (CPWF)-funded Small Grant Project No. 504]
• 2006. AIT, NGO team up to make rice growing greener. Asian Institute of Technology website. [Article about competitive research grant from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Challenge Program for Water and Food in awarde to AIT in February 2006]
• U-saengsri, Rachakorn. 2005. Minutes of Meeting on System of Rice Intensification. Multiple Cropping Center (MCC) Chiang Mai University. System of Rice Intensification website. 15 February. (5p., 119KB pdf)

Practical Information

• The Agricultural Extension Unit at the McKean Rehabilitation Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand, authored a Thai language SRI manual. (A separate English language introduction to the Thai version as well as the Thai version with an English title and author page are also available).

Videos

• 2006. Living Labs Mekong River Basin. Video (on YouTube) about SRI and rice production in Thailand produced by TVE Asia for CGIAR Challenge Program for Water and Food. 5.02 minutes
  
  

Slide Presentations

• 15 PowerPoint presentations are available from regional workshop "Southeast Asia Regional Knowledge Exchange on SRI Producing More with Less Water", an event organized at Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, June 22-24, 2009, in collaboration with World Bank Institute, Washington DC.

Photo Collection

• The Thailand Photo Collection contains pictures obtained from Norman Uphoff and others. The slideshow can be viewed in the summary section at the top of the page. Clicking on the photo showing will enlarge it. If you do not have Flash installed, click here to see individual photos which are made available on Picasa.