Dear Friends,

We are doing a good job promoting SRI around the world. Day by day our
circle of friends is increasing and new countries are connecting to our
movement. But, still we are facing criticism from many scientists and
promoters of the green revolution (chemical/external input based
technology) and from modern technology advocates. On the one hand, we need
to further promote SRI in larger areas and compile facts and findings
related with our eco-friendly SRI method. On the other hand, we need to
collect more data and results to establish ourselves in the scientific
world.

We are establishing ourselves in the world of farmers, but at the same time
we need to establish ourselves in the world of scientists. In the SRI
movement we come from different professions and the fields of expertise,
but more or less we are working in the field of natural science and gaining
confidence within the world of SRI. Now many of us are planning for the
early season SRI activities. Why don't we conduct similar representative
trials in all areas (all countries) and later
on compile data for analysis and reporting? For this, we can include some
production factors like soil type, seedling age, spacing, water management,
fertility management, crop cycle (tillering stage, flowering stage,
maturity stage), numbers of seedling/ hills (one, two or three-as in China),
production cost/benefit ratio, and many more things.

With one or two discussions, we can finalize the package of practice for
the worldwide comparison. Besides this, some of our friends from
universities can analyze the biology of the SRI plant and the soil as well
as the actual water used by SRI rice (compared with traditional or modern
technology). This type of efforts will strengthen our existence and
movement around the world and decrease resistance from those who criticize
us.

Hoping for further discussion.

Rajendra Uprety
Biratnagar, Nepal.