The World Bank Institute seeks to disseminate information to global audiences that supports improved livelihoods and sustainable development. One such area of new knowledge that we are excited to share with you here, through a multimedia toolkit, is a set of innovative practices of producing higher rice yields with less resources, especially water, often referred to as the System of Rice Intensification or SRI. Although still controversial, benefits from SRI are being increasingly reported by enthusiastic farmers and researchers around the world.

In this toolkit, you will view two illustrative presentations to learn about the key elements of SRI, specific methods of application, and its benefits and constraints. In the Viewpoints section, you will hear from researchers, practitioners, leaders and farmers, who share with you their perspectives and debates on SRI.

The toolkit, developed by WBI's Water/Rural team and Multimedia Unit, is an attempt to share knowledge about innovative farming practices that offer new opportunities to increase the productivity of our limited natural resources and to improve farmers' livelihoods. We encourage practitioners to modify the SRI basic practices to suit their local conditions for application.

— Mei Xie, Senior Water Resources Specialist, World Bank Institute

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