Rice Growers Stressed To Adopt SRP Standards To Improve Yield

Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published September 30, 2017 | 12:30 PM

Rice growers in a training session were asked to adopt Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standards to achieve high yield per acre of the crop

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2017 ) : Rice growers in a training session were asked to adopt Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standards to achieve high yield per acre of the crop.

The training session was held in Sheikhupura and conducted by Rice Partners Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and MARS food where over 120 rice growers attended, according to a statement received here on Saturday.

The objective of the training was to train the rice farmers as per global rice standards of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP). Talking to the rice growers, the facilitators said present water scarce scenario of our country was underlined to keep the lands fertile for longer period, and it was very important to follow the SRP standards in rice cultivation operations.

"This is need of time that all the stakeholder must bring all the rice growers under the umbrella of SRP," Project Manager of WAPRO, Zafar Iqbal said. In training sessions, it was discussed that most of the rice farmers adopt indigenous method of rice cultivation and did not follow the modern techniques as per recommended in SRP standards.

The objective of this training is only to equip the farmers about SRP standards which are highly recommendable in developed countries. Chief Operating officer Rice partners Pvt Ltd Muhammad Ali Tariq informed the participants about the importance and inter-relation of United Nation's SDGs with Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).

He added that this was demand of the current area that all the rice growers should adopt sustainable rice cultivation to gain high yield, and to preserve natural resources. Senior Advisor RPL Dr Riaz Mann highlighted the importance of laser land leveling, direct seeding of rice (DSR), AWD technology and post-harvest losses imperative for sustainable rice cultivation.

He also highlighted the importance of balanced use of fertilizers as per SRP standards. He trained the farmers regarding adoption Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) in rice cultivation as per SRP standards. APP/nuh/anm