The system of rice intensification (SRI), developed in Madagascar, is based on a set of practices to manage plants, soil, water and nutrients that reduce seed requirement, save irrigation water, lower the costs of production, while enhancing crop yield. This makes irrigated rice cultivation more productive, profitable and sustainable. SRI has faced the criticism of a number of sceptics, despite growing popularity among farmers all over the world. In this article, various aspects of the pub-
lished criticisms of SRI are reviewed and critically discussed to understand the disparity between scientific and farmer perspectives.