SRI contributions to rice production dealing with water management constraints in northeastern Afghanistan

Abstract

Rice is a major staple food in Afghanistan, and its production contributes to the food security for millions of Afghans. However, over the past four decades, increases in rice cultivation in the Amu Darya River Basin in the northeastern part of the country are contributing to head/ tail inequities in irrigation water-sharing, both at river basin and at canal levels. Since 2007, the Participatory Management for Irrigation System project has been experimenting with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as an alternative to the highly water-consumptive traditional method of rice cultivation by inundation of fields. The aim is to introduce a water-saving method for upstream rice-growing farmers to improve the water access for downstream users. To the extent that such a method improves yield, this gives upstream farmers an incentive to switch to this new method which benefits them and, indirectly, other farmers downstream. In 2009, 42 farmers who are cooperating with the Aga Khan Foundation practiced SRI, facilitated through the project's participatory technology development (PTD) approach. Their average SRI yield, 9.3 tons ha -1 , was considerably higher than that obtained with their traditional rice-growing practices. Those farmers who had 2 years of experience with SRI methods and who greater mastery of the techniques got, on average, 65% higher yield than first-year SRI farmers. More-experienced farmers improved their rice production by 27% in comparison to their previous results in 2008. The PTD approach engages the experienced farmers as resource persons to assist new volunteers, promoting local transfer of knowledge. The primary factor in yield improvement was an increase in the number of grains per panicle (?47%). A 10% increase in the number of tillers per square meter, despite lowered plant population, was the second major factor. Yields appeared to be very responsive to an increased number of mechanical weedings. Challenges still remain to be dealt with on the way toward up-scaling, especially as the security situation remains problematic. However, the PTD approach is facilitating work in the field as is cooperation with government personnel.

Evaluating system of rice intensification using a modified transplanter: A smart farming solution toward sustainability of paddy fields in Malaysia

“…As mentioned earlier, wider spacing helps in reducing inter plant competition for air, water, nutrients and sunlight. While the higher percentage of empty seeds may be attributed to competition among the less spaced plant for space and nutrients as reported by Thomas et al [66] , our study suggests that planting density in rice crop play an important role for dry matter and grain yield. The optimum level of plant population together with better yield parameters (i.e.…”

“…It can be seen that except in block D (240 g/tray), empty seeds decreases with increasing of hill spacing, which may be attributed to more shading of plants, competition for water, nutrients, space and mineral due to the shortage of space. The higher percentage of empty seeds may also be attributed to nutrient deficiency [66] . The number of missing hills was found to fluctuate with increasing spacing in all experimental plots as shown in Figure 9 which is similar to the result observed by Behera et al [61,62] .…”

Morphological Observation and Correlation of Growth and Yield Characteristics with Grain Quality and Antioxidant Activities in Exotic Rice Varieties of Afghanistan

“…Asian countries are the main producers and consumers of rice [2], and it is the second staple food, after wheat, for Afghans [3,4]. Recently, annual rice grain production has increased to 33,600 metric tons in Afghanistan [4,5]; however, great effort is needed to improve grain quality based on the preference and acceptance of consumers. Genetic and environmental factors are principally responsible for alteration in growth and quality composition of rice [6].…”

Current Situation and Sustainable Development of Rice Cultivation and Production in Afghanistan

“…The average yield of rice in Afghanistan is 2.8 tons per ha. For fertilizers, rice plants commonly require around 76 kg nitrogen and 46 kg phosphorus (as P 2 O 5 ) per hectare, but the fertilization rates are dependent on natural soil fertility [16]. Soils in Afghanistan are rich in mica minerals (source of K 2 O); thus, potassium fertilizers are rarely applied.…”