SRI method and tillering

Under SRI method, it is found that we have much more tillering when compared to the traditional method. The reason for these are as follows:

- transplantation is done very early between 8 to 15 days of age of nursery. The younger the more the chance of higher tillering;

- further,in this system, you give the chance for both aerobic and unaerobic bacteria to play its part which helps in healthy development of the tillering as well as over all healthy growth of the plant

- further, you integrate the weeds into the soil using the konoweeder or rotary weeder or similar weed integrating machine. The weeds become food for the plant

- the process of weeding helps in loosing the soil around and along the plant which helps in the better establishment of the roots and the growth of the roots

- the growth of the root zone is excellent and this in turn helps in collecting the nutrients from the soil more effectively for the plant

Hence this is a very successful method. Though this has recently has been adopted from the island nation of Africa this is not new to Indians and particularly the South Indians. South India has practiced this in the early 19th century when this was referred to as "yard gap planting". Ofcourse, the current method appears to be more refined and effective both in terms of cost as well as yeild.

One additional practice can be included in this method, that is of gap filling where the transplanted plant has failed to establish itsefl. If you plough the land properly and level the same properly, then the chance of plant failing to establish itself is rather very rare. However, it is essential to be careful when you do weeding operations with weeding machines. Improper handling can lead to damage to transplanted samplings. If due care is taken in this regard, there is no cause for concern.

SRI Paddy Cultivation under Zero Budget Naturalfarmingpalekarway - Some Photographs

At our farm in Kayapakkam, we have cultivated ADT 37 variety of paddy under SRI method. We have not used any inorganic fertilisers or pesticides of any sort. We have followed the techniques being propounded by Shri Subash Palekarji. The paddy plots will be ready for harvest in about two weeks or so. I give you some photographic idea for the farming community in general.

We have applied Jeevamurtham at regular intervals as suggested by Shri Subash Palekar. We had also used Neem Astra to control pests. The incidence of pest attack has been very minimal (as the paddy plants were sturdy due to application of jeevamurtha at regular intervals as well as due to spraying of jeevamurtha solution at regular intervals) and the growth as well as tillering has been profuse.
It is very satisfying to see this paddy field when there is mild sea breeze.

Other farmers had planted the same ADT 37 on traditional method following inorganic farming technique. They faced substantial incidence of infestation of the field and had to use expensive inorganic pesticides, etc., to control infestation.