A team of National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack and 'Central Rainfed Upland Rice Research Station' Hazaribagh inspected the improved rice cultivation in the Bokaro district.

The team headed by Dr. Annie Poonam, Principal Scientist National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack and Dr. S. Bhagat Principal Scientist Central Rainfed Upland Rice Research Station, Hazaribagh inspected several paddy farmland in Jaridih, Petarwar and Kasmar blocks of the district cultivated by SRI (Systematic Rice Intensification) system and had a detailed talk with the farmers.

All the scientists were very happy to see the growth of paddy crop and praised the role as well as works of the district administration in the field of agriculture. SRI is the improved method of rice cultivation was developed in 1983 in Madagascar and has now spread to many parts of the world, said Dr Bhagat adding "This methodology aimed at increasing the yield of rice produced in farming. It is a low water, labor-intensive, method that uses younger seedlings singly spaced and typically hand weeded with particular tools."

 SRI is not a technology, but a set of simple ideas and principles that help produce more productive and robust plants, said an expert. It (SRI) provides ample scope for enhancing productivity and breaking the yield barrier in the smallholder's fields. Meanwhile, the truth is that SRI produces more rice with less input while conserving precious water, he said.

Besides, Rajiv Kumar Mishra District Agricultural Officer many other officials of the district agriculture department were present during the inspection.