📘 Q.2 IAS Prelims 2022 — Environment & Ecology (System of Rice Intensification)🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📌 The Question:
“System of Rice Intensification” (SRI) of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:
- Reduced seed requirement
- Reduced methane production
- Reduced electricity consumption
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
🧠 Classroom Explanation:
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a water-efficient, climate-smart method of rice cultivation first developed in Madagascar and later adopted in many countries including India.
• Reduced seed requirement (Statement 1):
SRI uses young seedlings, wider spacing, and single seedling per hill, drastically reducing seed usage. Typically, ~2 kg seed/acre is sufficient compared to ~5 kg/acre under conventional methods.
• Reduced methane production (Statement 2):
Alternate wetting and drying prevents continuous anaerobic conditions in soil, thereby suppressing methanogenic bacteria and reducing methane emissions.
• Reduced electricity consumption (Statement 3):
Less irrigation water means less pumping, leading to lower electricity and energy consumption. Studies (e.g., Vietnam) show ~23% reduction in energy inputs under SRI.
Hence, all three statements are correct.
🔍 Curiosity Raiser:
Why does simply letting a rice field “breathe” periodically cut greenhouse gases without reducing yield?
📚 Enrich Notes (UPSC Edge):
• SRI saves 15–20% groundwater
• Improves root growth and soil aeration
• Enhances resilience to drought and climate stress
• Strongly linked to GS-III: Agriculture + Climate Change + Sustainable Development
• SRI supports India’s commitments under climate-smart agriculture initiatives
🪶 IAS Monk Whisper:
When water learns to pause, the soil learns to heal.