108 The Global Food System
et al, 2005). In this context, we note that Stoop and Kassam (2005) contend that
neither SRI advocates nor its critics have a complete understanding of the bio-
physical basis of the relatively higher yields. It is noted that (e.g. McDonald et al,
2006) there is a wide yield gap between farmer’s practice and best management
practice. However, realization of the ‘on-farm management issues’, by both groups,
is the most important outcome from the current debate on ‘SRI’. The ‘miracle’ is
not so much that SRI practices can lead to exceptional yield performances – we
believe this is explicable from the existing literature – but that the process of inves-
tigating ‘SRI’ encourages farmers and researchers to think seriously, and as part-
ners, about how to grow a healthy crop sustainably. The phenomenon of SRI
should help the research community reach the millions of small farmers in devel-
oping countries to meet the future rice demand. We need a new paradigm in
technology generation and transfer, and SRI seems to be promoting this out-
come.
The primary focus and challenges of the past were mainly to increase food
production; but the present scenario is quite different. The challenges are multi-
fold where food production has to be increased by countering other challenges
such as global warming, water scarcity, soil fertility degradation and misuse and
overuse of farm chemicals. At the same time, social changes and a growing concern
for the environment have brought about a recognition of the ‘multifunctionality’
concept (Molden et al, 2000). The quality and quantity of all the products embrac-
ing ‘multifunctionality’ depends on how the farmers treat them with confidence
and appreciation. Modern agricultural research often focuses more on increasing
productivity per se and ignores social externalities; it is largely built on technolo-
gies that maximize biological uniformity and ignores the natural ecosystem. Cer-
tainly, this approach is not optimal for managing sustainable production systems.
Hence it demands a paradigm shift in technology development and adoption. Mil-
lions of smallholder farms in developing countries where SRI is showing promise
reflect the importance of involving farmers in such activities. This requires a par-
ticipatory approach to knowledge creation and innovation such as Farmers Field
Schools (FFS) to empower farmers as experts in growing healthy crops efficiently
in an economic and sustainable manner (Whitten and Settle, 1998). The success
to date of the ‘SRI movement’ where it competes with the best available technol-
ogy justifies applying these cooperative approaches for mitigating food demand
without relying too heavily on imported technology
Conclusion
The combination of cultural practices recommended in SRI increases the physio-
logical efficiency of rice plants through enhanced root activity and provides many
alternatives to enhance resource-use efficiency. There is a sound basis in the exist-
ing literature which allows us to put SRI in scientific purview; but the practical