AP govt to promote SRI cultivation for better paddy yield

Hyderabad, Nov 17 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh government is taking steps to promote System of Rice Intensification (SRI) cultivation for better yield of paddy, Minister for Agriculture N Raghuveera Reddy said today.

Inaugurating a two-day national symposium on 'SRI - present status and future prospects'-- organised by the Directorate of Rice Research at Acharya N G Ranga Agriculture University here, he said the government was supplying seeds free of cost to the farmers with a view to encourage the SRI cultivation.

Stating that the government had given seeds to 32,000 farmers in the state, he said the state was prepared to provide more subsidy to the farmers who opt for SRI cultivation.added.

As farmers were not showing interest in SRI cultivation due to weed and nursery problems in the method, experts were asked to solve the weed problems. The SRI cultivation had the potential to enhance yield and economise water use, he informed.

He urged the scientists and experts to come out with a final recommendation during the two day symposium and assured that the state government would implement them in the larger interest of the nation and farmers.

Earlier, the Minister released a book on SRI versus Conventional rice cultiation.

Vice Chancellor of ANGRA University S Raghuvardhana Reddy said the combination of plant, soil, water and nutrient management practices that were used in SRI, promoted measurably greater root growth, and corresponding observable increase in tilling, greater grain filling and higher grain weight.

The recommendations drawn at the symposium by international experts would be sent to government for further steps, he added.

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