Adviser to governor Wilfred Lakra with NGO representatives in Ranchi on Thursday. (Prashant Mitra)

Ranchi, July 22: Nabard today launched a pilot project to popularise the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for paddy cultivation.

The Rs 5-crore project will be implemented in 22 districts over two years. If the experiment succeeds, it will be extended to other districts.

The SRI method was developed in Madagascar in 1983 and soon spread to other parts of the world. It has become quite popular in India, particularly in the southern states. This method of cultivating paddy does not involve huge expenses on good quality seeds and high doses of fertilisers and pesticides. It also discourages use of chemical fertilisers and promotes organic manure.

In Jharkhand, the project will be implemented with the help of 52 NGOs. Five of these NGOs have already carried out survey work across the state. They now form the resource group and will be responsible for impart training to the allied NGOs, who in turn will give necessary support to the farmers. The target will double next year. The aim is to benefit at least 30,000 farmers and cover 9,000 acres of land in two years.

As there has been poor rainfall this year too, low areas have initially been selected for the project. “The initial experiment will be undertaken on 25 decimal of land per farmer,” said Nabard chief general manager M.V. Ashok.