The First International Workshop on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Latin America and the Caribbean was held at Earth University in Costa Rica Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

Erika Styger, director of programs for Cornell's SRI International Network and Resources Center (SRI-Rice), said, "This is an historic moment. For the first time, SRI practitioners from Latin America have come together to share their experiences. Everyone here is a SRI pioneer in his or her own country, and without outside support, has achieved incredible yields of up to eight to nine tons per hectare. We come together to share new ideas and opportunities to develop a more sustainable agriculture that increases food security, especially for smallholder farmers."

SRI focuses on managing plants, water, soil and nutrients rather than the use improved seed and fertilizers, recommends using very young single seedlings at a wide spacing and keeping soil moist but not flooded.

Jointly organized by SRI-Rice (Cornell), Earth University (Costa Rica), and the Better U Foundation (Los Angeles), 27 participants from South America, Central America, the Caribbean and the United States met to assess achievements of SRI in these regions to date, analyze the potential to improve rice production practices and develop a plan to advance the use of SRI.

Participants found that SRI can benefit farmers from across the spectrum: small-scale farmers who cannot afford costly inputs or work on poor land; medium-scale farmers who seek higher yields and improved seed quality using agro-ecological practices; and large-scale farmers who look for more efficient mechanisms to produce healthy crops.

The workshop concluded with a pledge to build a network in Latin America to exchange ideas and best practices, train farmers, undertake further research in the field; and develop new projects and promote innovations.