Integrating Mechanical Weeding and Planting for Reduced Labour Input in Paddy Rice under System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

Mercy Kangai Kathia,Jackline Ndiiri,Raphael Wanjogu,Bancy Mati

doi:10.4236/as.2019.102010

Abstract

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has been attributed to improvement in rice production with various attributes being accrued from application of the SRI Principles. The most notable are savings on water use and increase in yield. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) has also paved way for mechanical weed control in paddy fields. One of the major constraints to adoption of SRI is the perceived increased labour input due to the careful transplanting and frequent weed control. This paper evaluates the effect of mechanization on labour input in SRI in comparison to the less mechanized farmer practice. In attempt to reduce drudgery in transplanting under SRI, the drum seeder was used to establish the rice crop by direct seeding. This was then followed by using SRI practices i.e. AWD and mechanical weeding. Direct seeding using a drum seeder was compared to transplanting in both SRI and the common farmer practice. Hand weeding was also evaluated and compared to mechanical weeding. Labour input cost was also compared to the income accrued from the yields. From the study, it was noted that direct seeding using the drum seeder reduced labour input by 97% compared to transplanting. This was possible in that in direct seeding, and there was no nursery preparation and management as in transplanting. The use of a mechanical weeder reduced labour input by 28.3% in relation to hand weeding. Labour input cost for SRI was cheaper (Kshs. 124,080 per hectare) compared to the common farmer practice (Kshs. 139,117.50 per hectare). There was more yield from the SRI practice (2.75 Ton/ha) compared to the common farmer practice (1.88 Ton/ha).

Highlights

Rice production has been carried out in the world for many years
This paper evaluates the effect of mechanization on labour input in System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in comparison to the less mechanized farmer practice
Direct seeding using the TNAU drum seeder used the least labour input for planting compared to transplanting in both SRI and the common farmer practice as

Summary

Introduction

Rice production has been carried out in the world for many years. Globally, the total land under rice cultivation is estimated to be 160.6 million hectares, producing 756.7 million metric tons annually [1]. In Kenya, rice cultivation was introduced in 1907 from Asia and currently it is the third most important cereal crop in Kenya after maize and wheat. The consumption rate for rice in Kenya is increasing at 12% annually compared to 4% and 1% for wheat and maize respectively. This has been attributed to change in people’s eating habits [2]. Rice planting is done using two main ways; transplanting and direct seeding. Establishment of the rice plant can be done using dry seed, pre-germinated seed or seedlings depending on locality, soil type and crop ecosystem [3]. Direct seeding has gained popularity over time and further led to reduction in production cost. Mechanical transplanting is gaining popularity mostly in Asian Countries [3] [5]

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