ADVOCATES of the system of rice intensification (SRI) said the Department of Agriculture should test and compare the planting method, citing its huge potential to increase rice production and to help attain self-sufficiency by 2013.

Roberto Verzola, SRI national coordinator, called on Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to make the tests and compare its results with other breeding systems in the country.

Verzola said SRI may enable the DA to beat its deadline to end rice imports by the early part of 2013.

He said SRI has increased rice yields in 42 countries in which it has been used.

Alcala earlier said there is room for various types of farming in the country, from the conventional system that uses inorganic farm inputs to the organic method that uses only natural substances to fertilize the soil, to those into balanced fertilization that uses both organic and inorganic fertilizers and soil conditioners.