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

Explanation : 

System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an agricultural methodology aimed at increasing the yield of rice produced in farming. It is a low-water, labor-intensive method that changes how rice is grown around the world.

Reduced seed requirement

SRI practices involve planting young and singly spaced seedlings, which means fewer seeds are needed to plant the same area of land compared to traditional methods where seeds are often broadcast more densely. This can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of seed required for planting.

Reduced methane production

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and rice paddies are a significant source of methane emissions due to the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in the flooded fields. SRI involves alternate wetting and drying of fields rather than continuous flooding, which introduces oxygen into the soil and reduces the anaerobic conditions that lead to methane production. As a result, SRI can lead to a reduction in methane emissions from rice cultivation.

Reduced electricity consumption

In many agricultural regions, water for irrigation is pumped from underground sources or diverted from rivers using electric pumps. Since SRI requires less water due to the alternate wetting and drying cycles, there is a reduced need for irrigation. Consequently, this leads to a reduction in the electricity consumed for pumping water, assuming that electric pumps are used for irrigation.

Therefore, all three outcomes (1, 2, and 3) are associated with the adoption of the System of Rice Intensification, making the correct answer “1, 2 and 3“.