The UK and much of the US are experiencing unusual heat. As are many other areas of the world. This puts stress on many things, including water supplies. As Nobel recipients and others have pointed out, this impacts food production. And the world needs more of that. These same experts stress that without agricultural innovation, much of the world could face hunger. In their view, farmers need "planet-friendly" approaches to increase food production by 50-70% by 2050.
There is a farming method used by female farmers in India, Nepal and nearly 30 other countries that raises rice output by 30% or more. It does it while reducing water usage by up to 40%.
French Jesuit priest Henri de Laulanie’s “System of Rice Intensification” (SRI) is just the kind of “planet friendly” innovation needed to deal with heat and water shortages caused by extreme weather.
One fourth of the population in Nepal lives below the poverty line and is food insecure. Irrigated rice production is the largest consumer of water in the agricultural sector, and its sustainability is threatened by increasing water shortages.
In Nepal, SRI was pioneered in the Morang district. Today SRI is practiced in dozens of districts across the country. In 2024 alone, more than 55 farmers have switched to SRI from traditional methods. Small hold farmers using SRI are experiencing an average yield 30% higher than farmers using standard practices. Yield increases have been as high as 62%.
In addition, rice is maturing 2-4 weeks sooner than when the same variety is grown with traditional methods. This saves water, reduces the risks of crop loss, and makes land available for other crop production. SRI methods can be applied to these new crops as well, resulting in significant increases in family farmer output, revenue and profit. The use of organic fertilizers and pesticides further reduces input costs and raises profit margins.
SRI farmers in Nepal receive technical and other support from World Neighbors, an international development organization that specializes in helping communities raise family farm agricultural returns and engage in other activities to catalyze sustainable development All its projects in Nepal and other countries are designed to enhance climate resilience.
