The Effectiveness of Systems of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Fostering Socio-Economic Development in Rural Cambodia

Abstract

This review explores the developmental impact of Systems of Rice Intensification (SRI), on rural households located in the Takeo province of Cambodia. SRI is a sustainable means of rice production, that has been heavily promoted in the country by the government, and a multitude of NGOs, since the early 2000s. To explore these impacts, this research incorporates a livelihoods framework in conjunction with a sustainability framework. In turn, the impact of SRI is evaluated in terms of its influence on the livelihood outcomes of its implementers. A more comprehensive evaluation is then achieved, by reviewing the livelihood outcomes within a set of sustainability criteria. This research has found, that there are some cases where SRI has led to substantial livelihood improvements, that meet the sustainability criteria. Despite this, it has also been found that SRI implementation is on the decline in the region. The reasons for this decline become apparent, as the developmental impacts are assessed through the respective frameworks.