The System of Rice Intensification (SRI): Assessment on SRI Farmers’ Contribution to the Rice Markets

• Published in: International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 69 - 74
• Main Authors: CHES, SOPHY, EIJI, YAMAJI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation, Research Center 2015
• Subjects: collective sale; conventional practice; farmers’ contribution; rice market; system of rice intensification (SRI)
• ISSN: 2185-159X; 2433-3700
• DOI: 10.32115/ijerd.6.1_69

One of the main reasons of food shortage in some areas of Cambodia is low productivity. Conventional farming practice is believed to cause the low yield. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) proved to increase the yield has been introduced and practiced in Cambodia. Therefore, it is very interesting to research whether SRI farmers are able to share their contributions to the market since SRI can provide higher yields. This study aims to assess whether SRI farmers can contribute their products to the markets that are still immature and inaccessible. A households survey and field observations were conducted in three rain-fed villages in the southern part of Cambodia: two in Kampot Province and one in Kampon Speu Province. Findings revealed that besides the sufficiency of self-consumption, most of selected farmers are able to sell products to the markets and based on the expenditure on agricultural input and income analyses, farmer could earn profits although labor is the highest cost. It was also found that prices set by middlemen in the village are slightly cheaper than the one set on the market. However, farmers agree to sell to middle men because they would spend more on transportation and labor fee if they wanted to sell directly to the market. Importantly, collective sale in a large amount helps farmers to get higher prices compared to an individual sale. Results also indicate that practicing SRI positively increases the household’s production and leads to the increase of village production, possibly also to national level production, therefore, the surplus can be contributed to the rice markets.