Question 94 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Environme nt

Question

System of Rice Intensification of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:
1. Reduced seed requirement
2. Reduced methane production
3. Reduced electricity consumption
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2, and 3

Strategy: - Highlight the agronomic impact of alternate wetting and drying in SRI.
- Emphasize reduced seed requirements due to wider spacing and young seedlings.
- Note methane reduction achieved by minimizing continuous flooding and anaerobic conditions.
- Point out decreased electricity usage resulting from less water pumping.

Key Info: The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an innovative approach designed to increase rice yields by optimizing the management of plants, soil, water, and nutrients. Originating in Madagascar, SRI employs specific practices: planting young seedlings singly at wider spacing, integrating organic matter, and critically, utilizing intermittent irrigation (alternate wetting and drying) instead of continuous flooding.

### Key Benefits of SRI

**Reduced Seed Requirement**
SRI's method of using single seedlings with wide spacing significantly lowers the seed rate compared to traditional methods. Typically, SRI requires about 2 kg of seed per acre, a notable reduction from the 5 kg or more needed for conventional cultivation.

**Reduced Methane Production**
Traditional paddy fields maintain flooded, anaerobic conditions that promote methanogenesis--the formation of methane by microbes. SRI's alternate wetting and drying introduces aerobic intervals, thereby reducing the time under strict anaerobic conditions and drastically cutting methane emissions. This contributes significantly to climate change mitigation efforts.

**Reduced Electricity Consumption**
A hallmark of SRI is its water savings, typically ranging from 15-30%. Less irrigation water directly translates to less use of pumps, which in turn saves electricity (or diesel). Studies conducted in countries like Vietnam and India have demonstrated that SRI farms can reduce total energy consumption for water pumping by 20-25%, and sometimes even more, compared to traditional cultivation methods.

### Additional Advantages

Beyond these primary benefits, SRI offers several other advantages:
-   Improved soil aeration and enhanced micronutrient availability.
-   Increased plant tillering.
-   Greater resilience to drought conditions.

SRI is actively promoted for sustainable rice cultivation by various agricultural research organizations, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the FAO.

Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

Answer

Option C: 1 and 3 only

System of Rice Intensification of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in: Reduced seed requirement Reduced methane production Reduced electricity consumption Select the correct answer using the code given below:

System of Rice Intensification of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:

Reduced seed requirement

Reduced methane production

Reduced electricity consumption
Select the correct answer using the code given below: