Dissemination of advanced technology on rice cultivation was the need of the hour. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as a method of increasing yield was found successful in many countries and major rice growing tracts in India. The SRI on farm demonstration were initiated in 2007 and continued till 2008 in the five districts of Kerala namely Palakkad, Malapuram, Ernakulam, Kasaragod and Thrissur districts of Kerala. 62 farmers from 12 blocks representing 23 villages with farm size ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 ha. were selected. The results of demonstration revealed a yield increase of 17 per cent comparing the traditional method. The average cost of cultivation was Rs.24272 and Rs. 26552 per hectare for the conventional and SRI cultivation respectively. The net income was Rs.28812 and Rs.38142 per hectare for conventional and SRI respectively. The Benefit cost ratio worked out was 2.13 for traditional practices and 2.24 for SRI system of cultivation. Constraints such as economic, social, technical psychological and environmental were studied.

Keyword: Paddy cultivation, System of rice intensification, Farmer participatory action research;