System of Rice Intensification in Indonesia: Research, Adoption and Opportunities

Abstract

The conventional rice cultivation method is observed to be ineffective in increasing rice production in Indonesia, compounded further by the frequent occurrence of various diseases, pest infestations, and weather uncertainties. The long-term practice of using high agrochemical inputs has adversely affected natural resources such as water, soil, and air. Thus, farming transformation is much needed in order to address the nation’s food security. This transformation can be done via the adoption of agroecological practices which rely on biological processes rather than on agrochemicals to maintain soil fertility and protect plant health. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an agroecological method of rice cultivation that relies primarily on creating conditions for healthy plant growth by minimizing inter-plant competition through individual planting and wide spacing, at the same time improving soil structure and functioning by applying organic amendments, facilitating soil-surface aeration during weeding, and managing water to avoid both continuous flooding and water-stressed conditions. This combination of management practices results in better rice growth and yield compared with standard cultivation methods. For this purpose, the impacts of the SRI method on the economic, environmental, and social perspectives were studied. We conclude that the high productivity obtained by the SRI farmers and field trials has proven the suitability of the SRI method for sustainable rice farming in Indonesia. SRI improves the productivity of land, water and increases rice yield by three times higher than the conventional method. SRI is now regarded as a good option to be practiced by farmers in order to bring about a new kind of green revolution that relies upon ecosystem services to increase yield.