DESIGNING A RICE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEM WITH ECOLOGICAL INTENSIFICATION PRINCIPLES, USING CA+ SRI PRACTICES FOR REGENERATIVE OUTCOMES

At COP27, there were discussions on finding the climate change solution through regenerative and nature-based farming practices. In Punjab, India, the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) principles coupled with Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices have given 61% greater paddy yield, with a 46% reduction in chemical fertilizers and a 60% reduction in irrigation water compared to conventional practices. This crop performance was achieved without any pesticide application. Two rice varieties were tested: PR121, a long duration (140-150 days) water-guzzling variety popular among farmers, and PR126, a newly released short-duration variety (120125 days) that requires less water. They were tested with different seedling ages and spacing. 30-day-old single seedlings of PR121 were transplanted in conventional plots with 20x20 cm spacing, while 15-day-old single seedlings of PR126 were sown on beds with 20x25 cm spacing. The PR126 was planted on a no-till, non-flooded raised-bed having mungbeans as a cover crop. In addition to paddy, the same bed also yielded spinach, coriander, amaranth, and mustard saag (leafy vegetables). These leafy vegetables were intercropped on paddy beds when the paddy was in a maturity stage. The PR-126 paddy grown on the beds was ready to harvest 17-22 days earlier than advertised. When the crop was harvested, the paddy straw was left on the beds for decomposition while leafy vegetables were growing on the same beds. While heated debate was going on regarding the burning of paddy straw in Punjab, and the state government was trying to find a solution, the next crop (wheat) in the SRI+CA trial had already sown with a super seeder on the same beds, while black-gram seeds were broadcasted in furrows between beds. The field was bordered with mustard crops, all for creating a landscape for integrated pest management, crop diversification, and ecosystem restoration. This initiative deserves further testing and evaluation involving the farming community. But the initial results of this diversified, rice-based farming system show that SRI_CA principles and practices with additional cropping there is much scope for achieving multiple goals, such as reducing groundwater extraction and producing food for more nutritious diets without reducing staple food supply.