Abstract
This study discusses the unique and labour intensive practice of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and suggests specific mechanization option/approaches for its mechanization. Despite the continuous growth in global human population, there still exist substantial labour shortages in the agricultural sector, because of outmigration of the work force. Much of the focus on agricultural research improvement efforts in recent decades has been on modifying crops' genetic potential more than on improving cropping practices, mechanization, automation and production systems. The demand for rice being a staple food for more than half of the world population will continue to increase, hence the need for increased yield. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has shown that by modifying crop, soil, water, intensive weeding and nutrient management, can under most of the circumstances evaluated to rise of the productivity of land, water, seeds, capital and labour used for irrigated rice production. However, SRI practices such as Paddy nursery, single seedling transplanting, single direct seeding, water management and intensive mechanical weeding requires specific mechanization approaches. This study summarizes and reflects on the cultivation practices and possible specific mechanization and automation through mechatronics and Information Technology application for the system of rice intensification (SRI).
Highlights
The origin of cultivated rice (Oriza sativa L.), has puzzled plant biologists for decades
The global rice production stands at 454.6 million ton annually; with an average yield of 4.25 ton/ha (IRRI, 2012)
Average yield per hectare must be increased through deliberate research policies and practice
Summary
The origin of cultivated rice (Oriza sativa L.), has puzzled plant biologists for decades. This is due, at least in part, to the complex evolutionary dynamics in rice cultivars and wild progenitors, rapid adaptive differentiation and continuous gene flow within and between cultivated and wild rice (Sang and Ge, 2007). Market price and other related factors are encouraging people to grow rice wherever water is available. This led to pressure on water and crop productivity resulting into increased investments on bore wells and agricultural inputs like seeds fertilizer and pesticides. There is reason to consider what can be accomplished by making optimizing changes in crops’ growing environments both above ground and, especially, below ground (Kassam et al, 2011)
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