Rice yield underperformance coupled with production instability in Odisha is primarily due to low irrigation potential, the spatiotemporal disparity in rainfall pattern and relentless confrontation with biotic and abiotic stresses. System of rice intensification (SRI) was introduced in the state during early 2000 with the promises of higher production horizon. However, the present scenario of patchy adoption pattern has necessitated comprehensive study on dynamics and determinants of adoption of SRI. Increased SRI area allocation is observed at the expense of reduced number of adopting farmers. Economic scarcity of skilled labour, difficulties in transplantation and mechanical weeding, low irrigation potential and poor on-farm water management were major constraints as experienced by SRI adopters as well as dropouts. Farmers compliance in following different resilient SRI components that also varied spatiotemporally has resulted in realized incremental yield. Irrespective of severe drought during 2015-16, SRI yielded significantly higher than conventional one with a considerable decline in hazardous and environment polluting chemicals usage. Probit analysis indicated that active social involvements of NGOs, on-farm training and demonstrations, and realized incremental rice income influenced SRI adoption. Further SRI area expansion hindered mainly because of infeasible land topography, area saturation and lack of farmers interest. Acknowledgement : Authors acknowledge Tata Trusts for funding this study under Systematic Approach to Research and Adoption of SRI (SARAS) project in East and North East India