Country Profiles
INDONESIA
Since 2001, rice farmers in Indonesia have been embracing the transformative SRI approach, which involves managing their resources differently and modifying their farming systems. This shift aims to restore the essential eco-balance crucial for sustainable human endeavors. The impacts of the SRI method on economic, environmental, and social perspectives have been extensively documented by SRI researchers and farmers in Indonesia. The method has been evaluated and adopted, either wholly or partly, by millions of farmers in Indonesia. The high productivity and crop resilience achieved by SRI farmers underscore the suitability of SRI methods for sustainable and profitable rice farming in the country. Moreover, SRI reduces reliance on external inputs, enhances land and water productivity, boosts plant and soil microbiomes, and increases insect diversity, all contributing to higher rice yields.
The association SRI Indonesia (INA-SRI) was initiated in the early 2000s, with its focal point at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), and its members were connected through a Yahoo mailing list. However, INA-SRI has since ceased to exist. In response to the inactive association, the Indonesian SRI community has launched a new initiative called the Indonesian SRI Research and Innovation Network (IndoSRInet). Established as a non-profit and non-partisan organization in 2021, IndoSRInet aims to enhance food security in Indonesia through the adoption of SRI practices. Headquartered at Universitas Padjadjaran in Jatinangor, Indonesia, IndoSRInet is led by Dr. Febri Doni and his team.
LAOS
SRI was first promoted and evaluated in Laos by Community Aid Abroad/Oxfam, and the results of the evaluations were presented at the Conference on Assessments of the SRI held in Sanya, China in 2002. The method has been increasingly expanded in response to government directives targeting increased rice harvests that are not dependent on chemical inputs and do not harm the environment. Various large-scale SRI projects have been implemented in different provinces in Laos, demonstrating significant results. SRI is reported to have doubled rice production yields, according to the Irrigation Director of Laos. Government support for SRI is growing stronger based on directives to promote SRI in every province in Laos. Research projects are being developed by several universities in Laos to assess rice production achievements through the SRI method. The progress of SRI is being presented in various national and international workshops.
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PHILIPPINES
SRI was first practiced in the Philippines in 1999 and knowledge about SRI has been disseminated through various channels of information. The excellence of employing SRI practices has been recognized by farmers in the Philippines. SRI is gaining increasing support and attention from the government through promoting its expansion, providing training, budget allocations, and establishing institutions to educate other farmers about SRI. Currently, the SRI method has become a primary consideration for the Philippine government in addressing water scarcity and climate change issues.
The national SRI network in the Philippines, called SRI Pilipinas, was established in 2002 following a seminar by Prof. Norman Uphoff. Initially, its focus was on promoting the SRI among farmers and within the government. Since 2013, this network has been actively organizing training sessions, seminars, and farmer field schools to advance and promote SRI to rice farmers in the Philippines. Additionally, SRI Pilipinas is also actively engaged in various activities related to SRI, such as international and regional SRI conferences, workshops, and involvement in various SRI associations worldwide. Currently, SRI Pilipinas remains active in promoting, fostering collaborations, and training farmers in SRI to enhance rice production and achieve food security goals.
VIETNAM
SRI was first adopted in Vietnam in 2002, stemming from workshops and other sources of information. Academics at Vietnamese universities began evaluating SRI, which showed promising results in experimental trials for increasing rice production and water use efficiency. SRI started to gain support from the Vietnamese government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s official decision to recognize SRI as the primary method for rice cultivation and to direct government agencies to guide and disseminate SRI. Subsequently, the SRI method began to expand to various provinces in Vietnam and received support from foreign countries. Researchers and academics from universities became increasingly active in conducting experiments and research on the benefits of SRI in rice cultivation. Additionally, the implementation of SRI has helped farmers increase their income. Vietnamese SRI researchers have also been actively participating in the Southeast Asia Regional Conference on SRI to introduce Vietnamese organizations and SRI practices to the Southeast Asian SRI community.
The Vietnam SRI Network (SRIViet) was established in 2015 as a platform to bring together diverse stakeholders with a shared interest in promoting the SRI and sustainable rice production practices. SRIViet aims to unite individuals and organizations involved in SRI to facilitate the exchange of information, collaborative research efforts, and advocacy for policies that support farmers in adopting more sustainable SRI methods.
TIMOR LESTE
In 2007, the government program RDP II began introducing the SRI to the two districts of Bobonaro and Covalima in Timor Leste. Within two years, the number of farmers practicing elements of SRI increased from around 50 to almost 1300 in the 2009 season, while the average yield increased from about 3 t/ha to around 5 t/ha (around 60%). The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) has endorsed SRI as one of three national strategies to intensify rice production in Timor Leste. Special mechanisms are presented for monitoring elements of SRI application. Introducing SRI in Timor Leste has been a remarkable achievement so far, in spite of the partly difficult specific circumstances. On the other hand, success factors include genuine political will and support from the Ministry side, and a clear understanding and confidence in SRI from the extension staff.
MALAYSIA
SRI was first practiced in Malaysia in 2006. Since then, interest in adopting SRI methods has surged, driven by government agencies, universities, NGOs, and the private sector. SRI has demonstrated a significant advantage in its support for sustainability and initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture in Malaysia.
The Malaysian SRI community has established a national association known as the Malaysian Agroecology Society (SRI-Mas). This initiative emerged from the recognition of the urgent need to address the rapid depletion and degradation of agricultural resources, such as soil and water, while ensuring steady food production. The inception of SRI-Mas was driven by the necessity for sustainable resource intensification. At the First National Seminar on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in 2012, a coalition of academics, government officials, civil society organizations, and farmers convened to establish SRI-Mas. Within two years, SRI-Mas was officially recognized as a society by the Malaysian Registrar of Societies (ROS).
THAILAND
The evaluation trials of SRI in Thailand have been carried out since 2001 by universities, NGOs, and the government. These evaluations of SRI have led to the establishment of a national network dedicated to SRI. This network is responsible for coordinating workshops and monitoring the progress of its members. Thailand played a pivotal role in the development of SRI by hosting the Southeast Asia regional workshop on SRI, which attracted participation from neighboring countries like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and others. Subsequently, Thailand embarked on large-scale SRI projects, and the country became a hub for various international SRI events.
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Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam is the earliest adopter of SRI within the Southeast Asia region. SRI was first introduced to Brunei during the SEA SRI Conference held in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia in 2015, where representatives of farmers from Brunei were present. Since 2015, the SRI method has been evaluated in Brunei with the assistance of SRI trainers from Malaysia and Indonesia.
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CAMBODIA
SRI was first adopted in Cambodia in 1999. In 2005, SRI gained full support and attention from the Cambodian government after showing significant results. It has been promoted in all provinces of Cambodia and was included in the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) for 2006-2010 to enhance productivity in the rice sector. Additionally, there are approximately 47 NGOs and development projects involved in promoting SRI in Cambodia. The government also plays a crucial role in coordinating and assisting SRI activities in Cambodia through the national SRI secretariat. SRI then became the main method following the directive of the Minister of Agriculture, emphasizing the importance of SRI in increasing rice production in Cambodia. Large-scale SRI projects were initiated in Cambodia through collaborations with various international institutions and organizations.
The Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC) is a non-profit NGO committed to enhancing the livelihoods of rural farmers in Cambodia. Since 2000, CEDAC has been actively engaged in collaborating with rice farmers to develop and promote the principles and methods of SRI. Through its efforts, CEDAC aims to empower farmers with sustainable agricultural practices that improve productivity, reduce input costs, and contribute to food security in Cambodia.
MYANMAR
SRI was first adopted in 2000 and began showing optimal results after its first year in Myanmar. It was introduced to farmers as the primary strategy in rice cultivation, yielding significant results. SRI started to be introduced in various types of rice cultivation land in Myanmar through the collaboration of various NGOs both domestically and internationally. This method is also used by Myanmar farmers to reduce excessive pesticide use. The Myanmar government also supports SRI by sending delegations to various events such as workshops to enhance cooperation and sharing among SRI National Networks in Asia and international SRI workshops.
The Metta Development Foundation stands out as a pioneering NGO in promoting SRI in Myanmar. It initiated the adoption of SRI in the country and has been actively organizing and providing training for rice farmers in Myanmar on SRI cultivation practices. This program has yielded positive results and benefits for farmers in improving production and harvest yields. The organization is also actively expanding SRI promotion through collaborations and funding from international organizations.
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