JESUIT PRIEST CULTIVATES RICE ! - BOSCONET THOUGHTS
We are told that there is a 60% chance of a drought this year. India has 16% of the world’s population and 4% of its fresh water. We have the largest area under rice cultivation, a water-intensive crop. The “System of Rice Intensification” (what a name!) holds out hope. Under SRI a hectare of land could produce 8 tonnes (2.1 is the current national average!).
For SRI we do not need new rice varieties, we use less fertilizers and agrochemicals, and only about half the usual amount of water is required. In ideal conditions, a hectare under SRI has been known to produce even 15 to 20 tonnes of rice!
SRI was first developed 30 years ago in Madagascar. It was introduced – with excellent results – in Tamilnadu in 2000, in Tripura in 2002 and in Bihar in 2007. If only the technique could be used in all our rice fields all over the country! This is the right year to do so.
Interestingly, SRI is the brain-child of Fr. Henri de Laulanie SJ, a Jesuit priest. What can the Jesuits not do! That reminds me of Bro. Alex Gonzalves of the Bombay Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He implemented a watershed project in two districts of Maharashtra which had been declared dry zones by the government. Every dry season owners of even large plots of land would migrate to the towns to do coolie labour to help their family survive. The people of 22 villages now grow up to THREE crops a year on their land! BOSCONET has published a book about Bro. Alex.
What can the Salesians of Don Bosco not do!
Visit our website: www.bosconet.in. "Like" our bosconetindia page
We are told that there is a 60% chance of a drought this year. India has 16% of the world’s population and 4% of its fresh water. We have the largest area under rice cultivation, a water-intensive crop. The “System of Rice Intensification” (what a name!) holds out hope. Under SRI a hectare of land could produce 8 tonnes (2.1 is the current national average!).
For SRI we do not need new rice varieties, we use less fertilizers and agrochemicals, and only about half the usual amount of water is required. In ideal conditions, a hectare under SRI has been known to produce even 15 to 20 tonnes of rice!
SRI was first developed 30 years ago in Madagascar. It was introduced – with excellent results – in Tamilnadu in 2000, in Tripura in 2002 and in Bihar in 2007. If only the technique could be used in all our rice fields all over the country! This is the right year to do so.
Interestingly, SRI is the brain-child of Fr. Henri de Laulanie SJ, a Jesuit priest. What can the Jesuits not do! That reminds me of Bro. Alex Gonzalves of the Bombay Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He implemented a watershed project in two districts of Maharashtra which had been declared dry zones by the government. Every dry season owners of even large plots of land would migrate to the towns to do coolie labour to help their family survive. The people of 22 villages now grow up to THREE crops a year on their land! BOSCONET has published a book about Bro. Alex.
What can the Salesians of Don Bosco not do!
Visit our website: www.bosconet.in. "Like" our bosconetindia page
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