Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
org
ISSN 1655-5422
contents
Vol. 4, No. 2
NEWS ......................................................................... 6
Milestones in rice research
Soap opera wins World Bank prize
Research offers drought hope
Drought inflicts a heavy toll
Tsunami damage less than expected
IRRI-India workplan
Climate change pessimism
Long road to genetically modified rice
commercialization
Chinese rice consumption
Early China boosted by rice?
Accolades for hybrid pioneer
Hybrid happenings DRUMMING UP SUCCESS ....................................... 22
New digital chlorophyll meter to help optimize An improved way of planting rice is increasing
fertilizer farmers’ incomes and strengthening
Former IRRI director general passes away communities in Bangladesh
Keeping up with IRRI staff
A HYBRID PIONEER ................................................. 28
Achievements Over the past 3 decades, Sant Singh Virmani —
the man who put hybrid rice on the map
DONORS CORNER ................................................... 13 in tropical Asia — has fought a winning BOOKS ..................................................................... 36
Paving the way forward through research: The battle to help feed the hungry and poor Novel ways to share knowledge: Innovations
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Rural Extension describes new and
supports agricultural research that helps the poor UNLOCKING THE GENETIC VAULT .......................... 32 creative ways to share knowledge with farmers
and disadvantaged achieve food security and Buried deep within the International Rice
environmental sustainability Genebank are little pieces of genetic RICE FACTS .............................................................. 37
treasure — but how do we find them? Does rice research reduce poverty in Asia?
DREAMS BEYOND DROUGHT ................................. 14 Improved technologies can have an
For the rural poor, drought delivers heartbreak and BUILDING A BETTER RAT TRAP .............................. 34 enormous impact
tears communities apart — but promising new Amid the spectacular mountains of the
research can help rice farmers and their families northern Philippines, an improved rat trap GRAIN OF TRUTH .................................................... 38
avoid devastation is helping farmers prevent rodents from Successful technology adoption needs
devastating precious rice fields support from both farmers and governments
cover design George Reyes, Juan Lazaro IV International Rice Research Institute
publisher Duncan Macintosh DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
editor Adam Barclay Web (IRRI): www.irri.org
art director Juan Lazaro IV Web (Library): http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org
designer and production supervisor George Reyes Web (Rice Knowledge Bank): www.knowledgebank.irri.org
deputy editor Leharne Fountain
contributing editors Gene Hettel, Bill Hardy Rice Today editorial
news editor Juanito Goloyugo telephone (+63-2) 580-5600 or (+63-2) 844-3351 to 53, ext 2725;
photographer Ariel Javellana fax: (+63-2) 580-5699 or (+63-2) 845-0606; email: a.barclay@cgiar.org
circulation Chrisanto Quintana
printer Primex Printers, Inc.
Rice Today is published by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the world’s should not be construed as expressing IRRI policy or opinion on the legal status of any
leading international rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines and with country, territory, city or area, or its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or
offices in 11 other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on boundaries.
improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, Rice Today welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. Potential contributors
particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of are encouraged to query first, rather than submit unsolicited materials. Rice Today
15 centers funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited submissions, which should
(CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies. For more information, visit be accompanied by sufficient return postage.
the CGIAR Web site (www.cgiar.org).
Responsibility for this publication rests with IRRI. Designations used in this publication Copyright International Rice Research Institute 2005
The web of rice
S
earch for “rice” on the Internet Rice industries and Korea has formed the East Asia
and you’ll get around 40 million For the latest news on rice prices, market Emergency Rice Reserve (www.eaerr.
results. Among this multitude conditions and the world rice industry, org) to provide food aid for assistance in
of Web pages, there are plenty on the check out Oryza.com (www.oryza.com). disaster areas and to alleviate poverty.
staple grain that feeds over 3 billion The site provides daily market information The United Nations Convention on
people. But to find them, you’ll have to and instant news updates, and has features Trade and Development hosts a Web site
navigate around pages discussing U.S. to help industry participants connect that houses economic information about
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s with the world rice community. There are a number of commodities
latest foreign policy comments, the forums on a range of topics from
research coming out of Rice University, trends in the rice milling
and tribute pages to author Anne Rice, industry to new technologies
among many others. So how can you and research in farm
find the best resources about rice on the management. Other features
Web? In short, how do you separate the include an industry calendar,
rice from the chaff? Checking out the statistics and an extensive
Web pages featured here is a good start. glossary of rice terminology.
Another industry site, Rice
Learn about rice Online (www.riceonline.com)
The U.S. Rice Producers Association contains information on rice
has created Rice Romp (www.riceromp. prices, industry news and a
com; pictured at right) for teachers and searchable industry directory.
students. Although it focuses on rice Rice industry sites
production in the USA, it also contains from a range of countries
more widely relevant information. The offer information about the
site offers games and learning modules, environments and conditions
and students can select their school of rice production around the
level from kindergarten through to world. These include the USA Rice
final-year high school. There is a choice Federation (www.usarice.com), California and crops, including rice. The site offers
of study areas covering mathematics, Rice Research Board (www.carrb.com), and a synopsis of international market and
science, health and social studies. After the Australian Rice Growers Association rice policies of the main rice exporters
completing all the study areas for a given (www.rga.org.au). Rice Farming magazine and importers at http://r0.unctad.org/
school level, students are ready to play (www.ricefarming.com) provides articles infocomm/anglais/rice/ecopolicies.htm.
Rice Rampage, a rice trivia game. The about research and industry news And of course — don’t forget
site also contains teaching resources for relevant to rice farmers in the USA. the International Rice Research
each study area, across all school grades. Institute’s own site, www.irri.org.
Rice and development Also see www.irri.org/science/
Rice collaborations The Association of South East Asian links.asp for links to the Web sites
The Internet is a natural place for Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan featured here plus many more.
scientists to collaborate in rice research
by sharing resources and information
and making their research available Long live the International Year of Rice
The International Year of Rice 2004 (IYR) saw an explosion of Web-based resources
to others. The Rice Rise Information centered on rice. Although IYR has passed, its message is as relevant as ever.
System (http://rise.genomics.org. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, official home to
cn/rice/), hosted by the Beijing Genomics IYR, continues to host its IYR Web site at www.fao.org/rice2004. The site covers
Institute, houses up-to-date, integrated information on culture, nutrition, livelihood, economics, science and gender. There
information resources for rice genomes. are interesting facts about rice for kids, rice recipes from around the world and
stunning photos from the IYR global photography contest: “Rice is Life.”
Other sites offering researchers similar The Global Education Web site (www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au) provides teaching resources
analytical tools and data include TIGR on a number of global issues, including rice. Follow the homepage link to “Rice” for information about
Rice Genome Annotation (www.tigr. IYR plus a range of teaching modules. Teachers on the Web host an IYR site (www.teachers.ash.org.
org/tdb/e2k1/osa1), hosted by the au/jmresources/rice/year.html) that contains links to pages on growing rice, history of rice, nutrition
Institute for Genomic Research, and the and rice around the world, as well as lesson plans, quizzes and games. Australia’s EdNA online houses
an IYR page (www.edna.edu.au/edna/page2394.html) that has links to numerous IYR and general
Korea Rice Genome Database (http:// rice Web sites.
bioserver.myongji.ac.kr/ricemac.html).
Soap opera wins World Bank prize The new environmental radio program
will build on the success of earlier IRRI-led
radio projects (see www.irri.org/radio) and
will promote environmental sustainability in
rice ecosystems using entertainment-educa-
tion principles. More than 100 new episodes
will feature environmental health in rice eco-
systems, including soil health, crop residue
management, natural biological control con-
servation and reduction of farm chemicals.
The project team will join social scientists,
ecologists and creative writers to create an
informative, entertaining and motivational
radio soap opera. The program’s messages
will be reinforced through activities such as
local competitions, printed materials and
video, ultimately expanding the radio audi-
ence to 10 million farm households.
“This project will establish a unique
platform for partnerships between and
CGIAR
LEHARNE FOUNTAIN
costs of drought and rainfed rice farm-
ers’ coping mechanisms in eastern India,
coincided with severe drought in several
Asian countries.
IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler reach the farmers who need them so they Drought inflicts a heavy toll
noted that despite drought’s devastating will have a better chance of avoiding the
economic and social costs, drought-alle- poverty and hardship drought can so easily
viation research is relatively underfunded.
He points out that, despite this, public rice
cause,” said Dr. Zeigler.
Drought-fighting approaches include M edia reports earlier this year brought
news of drought-stricken countries
across Asia. Several news agencies, includ-
research in Asia is developing a range of new rice varieties that are better adapted to
new technologies and strategies to help poor dry conditions and new irrigation water, soil ing Bloomberg and Agence France Press,
farmers combat drought. fertility and weed management strategies. reported that half a million people in Cambo-
“What we need to do now is make sure For more on drought, see Dreams beyond dia are struggling with food shortages due to
these technologies get fully developed and drought on pages 14-21. prolonged drought. An April report by Indian
online news service Kerala Next quoted Ta
Mom, chief of Paing Lovea village in one of
Tsunami damage less than expected the kingdom’s hardest hit provinces, as say-
ing that, “The drought is so bad these last
land in Sri Lanka said the god would be pleased and make
rainfall if women till the land naked.”
A
Robert Zeigler, directors
general of, respectively, study presented at the UK’s Royal Soci-
ICAR and IRRI, sign the new ety in April painted a gloomy picture for
workplan agreement in June. the effect of climate change on food produc-
tion. The paper, presented by a team from
the University of Illinois Departments of
Plant Biology and Crop Sciences, states that
“current projections of global food security
under the global atmospheric change antici-
pated for the second half of this century are
likely over-optimistic.”
Newly developed technology allowed
the researchers to test the effect of global
warming and elevated carbon dioxide (CO2)
levels on open-air crop areas much larger
than had previously been possible using
contained chamber studies. Chamber stud-
ICAR
BOGGS PANALIGAN
ing systems. Participants at
an Alliance meeting at IRRI in
April are pictured at right.
reer and discover the ups and downs that pollution and pest infestation. The
mark the history of hybrid rice in the tropics, new device can also be applied to
see A hybrid prioneer on pages 28-31. vegetables and fruits.
IRRI
Former IRRI director general passes away At a memorial service on 8 August at
IRRI, Director General Robert Zeigler gave a
Sturdier rice plants Research Support Project to continue the poverty and environment, farm chemicals
Scientists in Japan and China have devel- work of the IRRI-led Livelihood Improve- and residues, land use and degradation,
oped a rice plant that better resists lodging ment Through Ecology (LITE) project. LITE water use and quality, biodiversity, climate
(falling over) in bad weather. Motoyuki showed that applying insecticide to rice change, and use of biotechnology. Visit the
Ashikari of Nagoya University and Hitoshi fields was essentially a waste of time and site at www.greenrice.net.
Sakakibara of the Plant Science Center in money and led to thousands of Bangladeshi
Yokohama discovered that plants contain- rice farmers eliminating insecticide use New CGIAR donor
ing a gene that expressed low levels of a and reducing their fertilizer applications Malaysia has become the newest donor to
particular enzyme produced 23-34% more to optimal levels. Unsprayed crops had the the CGIAR, starting this year with an initial
grains per plant than control plants. More same or greater yields than sprayed crops, contribution of US$300,000 to the Inter-
seeds, however, can make plants top-heavy and farmers saved money and reduced national Plant Genetic Resources Institute,
and susceptible to lodging. The scientists harm to their health and the environment the WorldFish Center and IRRI. Malaysia’s
combined plants that produced more grains (see Reason to cheer on pages 12-17 of Rice funding to IRRI will help support research
with those that had a gene favoring shorter Today Vol. 3, No. 4). activities in crop improvement and the
plant height. The paper, published in the environmental sustainability of rice produc-
24 June issue of Science, also explains that Environmental Agenda on the web tion systems.
the scientists’ genome-scanning approach IRRI has launched the BETA version of its
could be used to identify genes for disease Environmental Agenda Web site, GreenRice. Environment and livelihood
resistance and stress tolerance. net, which will provide a wide range of com- More than 150 people from 20 countries
munication tools and access to information attended an international conference on En-
Successful project shines on about rice and the environment. Users can vironment and Livelihoods in Coastal Zones
Bangladeshi nongovernment organization register to receive updates and can send on 1-3 March in Bac Lieu, Vietnam. IRRI,
AID-Comilla has secured funding from the comments to the site development team. the International Water Management In-
US Agency for International Development’s The site also showcases the IRRI Environ- stitute (IWMI), the WorldFish Center, Can
Integrated Pest Management Collaborative mental Agenda’s seven key areas of concern: Tho University, and the People’s Committee
of Bac Lieu cosponsored the conference, gies suited to upland farmers’ diverse liveli- IRRI Senior Scientist Vethaiya Balasubra-
which focused on the management of inland hood strategies. manian will be IRRI’s Africa Coordinator.
coastal zones affected by salinity intrusion,
with emphasis on conflicting resource uses. Rice technology transfer systems Future collaboration
About half the world’s population depends The Rural Development Administration IRRI and Australia’s Charles Sturt Univer-
on coastal resources for industry, trade, (RDA) of Korea and IRRI signed a Letter of sity, signed a Memorandum of Understand-
recreation and their livelihood. Participants Agreement on 20 April, formally extending ing on 25 April. IRRI became an affiliate
also recognized the importance of protect- until 2009 the two organizations’ existing institute of the university, setting the stage
ing coastal zones from shock events like the collaboration in implementing the Train- for future collaboration in rice research
December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. ing Workshop on Rice Technology Transfer and training.
Systems in Asia — the first of its kind in the
Managing rice landscapes region. This year’s course is scheduled for Asian labor out-migration
Participants from India, Laos, Nepal and 4-17 September at the RDA campus in Su- Trends in Asian modernization have found
Vietnam met with representatives from the weon, Korea. RDA provides funding support men taking advantage of the growing job
International Fund for Agricultural Devel- for all participating national agricultural market in the rural nonfarm economy. As
opment (IFAD) and IRRI on 18-20 April for research and extension systems while IRRI a result, women are being left behind to
the inception and planning workshop on provides course materials, key resource manage the farms. This observation sur-
the IFAD-supported project on “Managing people and facilitators. faced when participants from Australia,
rice landscapes in marginal uplands for Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Thailand,
household food security and environmental Money for Africa Vietnam and the Philippines met at a 26-27
sustainability.” The project aims to improve The IRRI Board of Trustees is allocating up April conference at IRRI on “Impact of labor
the livelihood of upland farmers while con- to US$1 million to support the Institute’s out-migration on rice household economy
serving fragile natural resources through strategic initiatives in certain key areas and with emphasis on gender issues”. Led by
identifying, validating and disseminating countries, with the first priority being the IRRI Gender Specialist Thelma Paris, the
improved rice-based agricultural technolo- development of a major program in Africa. conference focused on the prevalence and
patterns of labor out-migration and their Indonesia, on 24-27 May for the “Fourth the areas of functional genomics for brown
impact on livelihood, rice farming efficiency Annual Steering Committee Meeting of the planthopper resistance, capacity building
and gender roles. Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environ- through human resource development and
ments.” The meeting served as the key training for marker-assisted selection, and
Sri Lankan rice self-sufficiency policy-making and agenda-setting forum exchange of germplasm.
A recent report in Indian newspaper The for IRRI’s research partnership with NARES
Hindu quoted Sri Lankan Agriculture institutions that are conducting research Rice policy strategy for West Africa
Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s in the unfavorable rainfed ecosystems. The Experts from Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria,
announcement that Sri Lanka has become consortium is engaged in a 3-year program Niger, the Economic Community of West
self-sufficient in rice production. The of collaborative research with NARES part- African States and the Africa Rice Center
minister reportedly said that the country’s ners through the Asian Development Bank’s (WARDA) have agreed to form a rice
per-hectare productivity had increased Regional Expertise Technical Assistance policy research and advocacy platform
from 3.82 to 4.1 tons, thanks to innovative program. that will help develop policies to promote
measures such as the revival of an age-old the region’s rice sector as well as develop
irrigation system, returning abandoned land Private collaboration and implement a common agenda for rice
to cultivation, and supplying quality inputs IRRI and the India-based Mahyco Research policy research. They will also develop
and subsidized fertilizers to farmers. Sri Foundation (MRF) signed a Memorandum multicountry project proposals based on
Lanka previously imported rice from India, of Agreement on 27 June. MRF is a private regional research priorities and jointly
Pakistan and Vietnam. research and development foundation source funds to carry out the projects. The
founded by Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds experts agreed that local rice would never
Unfavorable rice environments Company Limited (Mahyco). Established become competitive unless favorable and
Eighty participants from national agri- in 1964, Mahyco focuses on plant genetic consistent policies and effective institu-
cultural research and extension systems research and hybrid rice seed production. tional arrangements are developed and
(NARES) and IRRI met on Lombok Island, The memorandum covers collaboration in implemented across the region.
SDC
T
Dr. Jenny is senior advisor in the Natural
he driving policy and guiding We recognize that the agricultural Resources and Environment Division of the Swiss
principles of the Swiss Agency sector will grow and improve its Agency for Development and Cooperation.
for Development and Coop- efficiency only if research delivers
eration (SDC) aim to help partner appropriate results along with practi-
countries overcome endemic poverty cal and locally adapted solutions. a critical mass of expertise in agri-
and to achieve food security and envi- Within this focus, SDC supports cultural research for development,
ronmental sustainability. To manage the International Rice Research In- SDC helps build networks between
this support efficiently, SDC promotes stitute (IRRI) and other Consultative Swiss research centers and those of
growth among the most disadvan- Group on International Agricultural the CGIAR, and provides resources
taged groups in society by helping Research (CGIAR) centers, and has for the Junior Professional Officer
them improve production, manage been an active member of the group Program. In total, SDC’s commit-
environmental problems and provide since its inception. The CGIAR’s ment to the CGIAR approaches
better access research is $20 million annually, making SDC
to education one impor- the group’s 8th-largest donor.
and basic tant link in IRRI is an important partner of
health care. a chain of SDC, particularly in Asia. The Lao-
We recognize knowledge IRRI Rice Research and Training
that the focus generation Project and the Asia-wide Irrigated
of development for develop- Rice Research Consortium (IRRC)
today is on ment. SDC’s are two typical examples of suc-
achieving com- support for cessful partnerships with a concrete
munity-level agricultural impact on food security and liveli-
impact through research hoods. Tools developed by the IRRC,
better-harmonized programs and goes hand-in-hand with building for example, are gaining tremendous
procedures, and actively assess- capacity in human resources and popularity among Asian rice farm-
ing impacts against the aims of the strengthening institutions. This sup- ers. In Vietnam, the impact of the
United Nations Millennium De- port is based not only on the research Ba Giam, Ba Tang (“Three Reduc-
velopment Goals and World Bank focus, but also on whether appropriate tions, Three Gains”) campaign is
Poverty Reduction Strategies. partnership arrangements and imple- expected to reach and improve the
SDC’s key mandate is to improve mentation mechanisms exist. And livelihood of more than 12 million
the living conditions of the rural poor, while we do not try to turn research rice farmers by decreasing their
who represent 80% of the world’s institutions into development agents, dependence on insecticides. This,
850 million chronically or acutely we believe the targets of research in turn, increases farmers’ incomes
malnourished people. This mission in- — the poor and disadvantaged — must while reducing unnecessary health
volves advancing sustainable agricul- always remain in sight. Research for hazards and environmental pollution.
ture for food security, livelihood im- development is about exchanging Getting technologies into farmers’
provement and pro-poor growth. The knowledge and building ownership, fields requires researchers to work
major challenge ahead will be to meet and this requires focused, proficient closely with farmers and involve them
growing food demand with limited partner institutions that are dedi- in all steps of research, from analyz-
land resources, and without sacrific- cated to improving life for the poor. ing their problems through to finding
ing natural habitats or causing further SDC’s support for the CGIAR new technologies. The measure of
deforestation and loss of biodiversity. system is threefold. First, unre- researchers’ success should be the
New approaches to agriculture stricted grants to core center-specific adoption rate of appropriate technolo-
confront producers in an increas- programs and the CGIAR Challenge gies at the farm level, rather than
ingly liberalized market, in which Programs have remained steady over number of publications or scientific
there is unequal access to assets and the past few years at US$10 million rigor alone. In this vein, SDC will
limited participation in decision- per year. Second, projects based in continue its support for research that
making. SDC believes research and specific target countries receive a leads to tangible improvements in the
knowledge can pave the way forward. similar amount. Third, to maintain lives of the poor.
HUMNATH BHANDARI
T
he headlines don’t scream drought’s impact is gradual, so farm income for their livelihoods. The
at you from the front page. it receives less attention from story is the same all across developing
But their effect builds and, if politicians and policymakers. Asia, where well over half the
you’ve followed the news from Nevertheless, prolonged severe population depends on agriculture.
across Asia this past year or drought causes the breakdown of Reports from numerous
so, you will understand the scale of livelihoods and rural economies and countries have a depressing sameness
the problem. Drought doesn’t have the failure of social support systems. to them. In 2004, the normally lush
the immediacy of a tsunami or a The impact is disproportionately tropical southern Chinese island of
flood, but it can kill just as effectively. high on poor households Hainan suffered its worst
Its method is slow, insidious and, that are less able to cope drought in 50 years, with
The consequences
in the end, more painful, grinding because they do not own 12 million hectares of
people slowly into the dust that or have access to the farmland affected. Media
of drought read
lies where crops once stood. resources they need to reports claimed that more
Essentially, drought is an escape the worst effects. than 9 million Chinese
like a description
extended period of substantially In 2004, widespread faced drinking-water
lower-than-usual rainfall, leading severe drought in much of shortages. Vietnam’s
of the apocalypse
to a shortage of water for domestic Asia not only resulted in eight central highland
use and agriculture, and ultimately agricultural production provinces suffered their
to financial, physical and social losses of hundreds of worst drought in 28 years,
hardship. And it happens over and millions of dollars but also affecting around 1 million
over again in Asia, where around a pushed literally millions of people people and causing an estimated $80
fifth of all rice area is drought-prone. into poverty. In Thailand, drought million worth of crop losses. In March
The consequences of drought hit 70 of the country’s 76 provinces 2005, Cambodian Prime Minister
read like a description of the and affected more than 8 million Hun Sen called for international
apocalypse: decline in food people. Production loss from major assistance for a national campaign to
production, hunger, malnutrition, crop failures covering 2 million help farmers who are short of water.
disease epidemics and other health hectares is estimated at US$326 Coping with recurrent drought is part
problems, famine, displacement of million, resulting in a 3.9% decline in of life for millions of Asia’s rural poor.
people, loss of assets, starvation the 2004 agricultural gross domestic Just over two-thirds of India is
— the list goes on. Where floods and product (GDP). More than half of the susceptible to drought and more than
typhoons inflict instant damage, rural population of Thailand relies on half of Asia’s drought-prone rice lands
LEHARNE FOUNTAIN
D
rought is a major issue for rainfed a lack of access to seed drills and trac-
rice cultivation in eastern India. tors. Now, IRRI and the Indira Ghandi
In Chhattisgarh state in 2002-03, Agricultural University, with funding from
for example, drought led to a halving the International Fund for Agricultural
of rice production, hampering the rural Development, are helping remove barri-
economy and forcing farmers into debt. ers to adoption by taking a more com-
Rice cultivation in this region is munity-oriented path. The research team
often performed by direct seeding, rather recently helped farming communities set
than transplanting. One drawback of up a hiring system and encouraged lo-
this technique is that weeds can be a cal entrepreneurs to purchase drills and
big problem. The chief method of weed tractors that could be hired out to other
HUMNATH BHANDARI
control in Chhattisgarh is through the small farmers.
traditional practice of biasi, which is Importantly, line-sown rice matures
heavily dependent on adequate and up to 10 days earlier than biasi rice.
timely rainfall to impound about 10- Previously, farmers grew varieties of dif-
International Rice Research Institute 15 cm of water. Around 30-50 days ferent durations, which were harvested
are located in eastern India alone. and 17 million tons, respectively — almost 1.1 billion, and rising. So (IRRI), led a recent Rockefeller after sowing, farmers run a narrow plow relatively late and at different times, pro-
Drought is one of India’s foremost — compared with what was expected a little economic push here or shove Foundation-funded study into the through the mix of crop and weeds. Al- hibiting a second crop under residual soil
constraints to increased and stable based on agricultural trends. The there can affect a lot of people. In just impact of drought titled Economic though disruptive for the seedlings, the moisture conditions during the otherwise
agricultural production. The last Indian Department of three states in eastern costs of drought and rainfed rice method keeps weeds under control, and fallow period. Cropping intensity has in-
century has seen the country rocked Agriculture estimated India, Chhattisgarh, farmers’ coping mechanisms in allows farmers to redistribute seedlings creased because the farmers now sow the
The 2002 drought ranks
by severe droughts in 1918, 1965, that the 2002 drought Jharkhand and eastern India. He points out that and fill any gaps. But a lack of enough same early-maturing rice variety, allow-
1972, 1979, 1987 and 2002. With year resulted in a 3.2% Orissa, the 2002 the impact at a national level tends rainfall can delay or even prevent biasi, ing production of a high-yielding variety
as one of the most
agriculture contributing around a decline in agricultural drought slashed farm to be moderated because a whole and weeds soon out-compete the rice, of chickpea after the rice harvest.
quarter of India’s GDP, severe drought GDP, a $9-billion loss in household income by country is rarely in drought at once,
severe in memory causing severe declines in yield. Line sowing is gaining popularity
directly stifles economic growth. agricultural income and 40-80% and shoved and areas experiencing a good year
One solution is to sow the rice in among farmers and helping them to pro-
The 2002 drought ranks as one the loss of a staggering 13 million people will to some extent buffer the hardest
lines using a seed drill — a device that duce higher yields and income. Managing
of the most severe in India’s recorded 1.3 billion person- below an already- hit areas. If you take a look at the
history. More than half the country’s days in rural employment due to low poverty line. In short, a lot effect on localized groups, though, opens furrows in the soil and drops weeds in line-sown crops is easier too,
area and around 300 million people shrinkage of agricultural operations. of people who weren’t doing too you see a much bleaker picture. seeds into them — with different weed as it isn’t dependent on the high rainfall
across 18 states felt its impact. The What do these numbers actually badly became poor and a lot of “When you zoom in on specific management strategies not dependent required for biasi. Gaining access to line-
lack of rain caused a 15% drop in mean, though? First, you have to poor people became a lot poorer. areas, you see the impact much on impounded water. The technology is sowing technology has helped, but it is
total food grains and a 19% drop in remember that India is home to more Sushil Pandey, a senior more,” says Dr. Pandey. “It’s possible not new but, until recently, has not been the cooperation of local communities
rice production — 31 million tons than a sixth of the planet’s population agricultural economist at the to have very little fluctuation adopted in Chhattisgarh due largely to that has really made the difference.
HUMNATH BHANDARI
least it was one less thing to worry about. Unable leaves from the forest. They can make
to produce food himself, though, Nandu became a little money selling these in the local
more and more desperate, selling his farm tools market, but the practice, which peaks in
and some cooking implements. drought years, contributes to deforestation.
When food is in short supply in this part
of India, women are given whatever is left over exploitation by middlemen. for the equipment until its owners had finished
after the men, the children and the elderly have With his options rapidly dwindling, Nandu with it, Nandu planted his crop late, resulting
eaten. Nandu’s pregnant wife, Sulochana, had thus moved to Maharashtra, hundreds of kilometers in considerable production losses. For the first
become weak, barely able to gather the energy to southwest of Raipur, to perform manual labor at time in years, though, he was able to provide his
join the other farm wives foraging in the nearby a brick-producing kiln. To do this, he borrowed family with food that he had grown himself, and
forest for food. Most days, Sulochana was helped Rs 1000 ($23) from a local money lender, who so begin the long, hard journey to recovery. But
by her 12-year-old-son and 10-year-old daughter. charged him 40% annual interest. In Maharashtra, if another drought hits any time soon, Nandu and
Together, they would spend up to 12 hours each he worked a punishing 15-hour day for a paltry his family will find themselves rapidly ground into
day collecting firewood, timber, medicinal plants Rs 50. Meanwhile, Sulochana gave birth to a the dust once more.
and food. Keeping a small portion for themselves, 5-week-premature boy who, underweight and The story of Nandu Bhoi and his family
they sold the bulk of it at the market, earning underfed, died a week later. represents the heartbreaking reality for an
around 50 rupees (US$1.15) per day. In 2003 the rains finally returned to enormous number of farm families across India
The children no longer attended school Raipur and Nandu moved back to Datarengi to who continue to suffer from recurrent drought.
and although people harvest forest products in re-establish his farm. Already owing money, he Poverty and debt feed on themselves and, when
nondrought years, the practice increases sharply had no alternative but to plunge further into the rains fail, already-struggling farmers quickly
during drought, contributing to rapid depletion of debt. Having previously sold his bullock and farm find their circumstances spiraling out of control,
useful plants and severe deforestation. Foragers tools, he borrowed enough money to hire what unwitting players in a potentially deadly chain
also risk an unreliable market, low prices and he needed to plant a rice crop. Forced to wait reaction.
and loss of production at the cumulative effect. The total economic Kumarkhan village, sums things
national level at the same time as cost of drought is several-fold higher by saying “a 1-year drought creates
massive production losses — 60- than the value of the production loss, a 5-year problem.” Imagine, then,
70% — in the affected areas.” and farmers’ coping mechanisms the ruin inflicted by 2, or 3, or 5
Although the direct impact are usually inadequate to prevent a consecutive years of poor rains.
of drought is production loss and shortfall in consumption, particularly Some farm families are simply
consequent income loss, this is only among vulnerable groups. When pushed so far down they never make
the start of a farmer’s problems. people are unable to pay off their their way back up, condemned to a
“The local economy in a rural loans, they go deeper and deeper subsistence of monotonous, unskilled
area depends on agriculture,” says into debt, ultimately losing their labor, drudgery and malnutrition.
Dr. Pandey, “and if the local economy land and whatever else they own, What’s more, this sort of tragedy
isn’t functioning well, the other and become completely destitute.” happens again and again. It is both
employment disappears. You have a Sukraram Dhuru, from Raipur’s encouraging and sobering to realize
19
Drought – what is IRRI doing?
IRRI is developing a range of strategies to tackle drought. Read on for a
summary of some of the institute’s key research.
Breeding for drought tolerance constraints and explore management options to to fully emerge, the plant needs to produce a
IRRI researchers have demonstrated that some rice increase the yield and stability of rainfed lowland particular hormone (gibberellin). Under drought
varieties (including some hybrids), are much more rice in Indonesia. Land leveling can help farmers stress, however, the plant decreases production of
tolerant than mainstream high-yielding irrigated use water more efficiently. Studying how soil and gibberellin and increases production of a different
varieties to periods of soil drying during the critical hydrological characteristics vary according to hormone (abscisic acid), which works in opposition
flowering and early grain-filling stages. Luckily, topography — and how this affects soil nutrients, to gibberellin. This same phenomenon is responsible
this characteristic does not seem to undermine water availability and yield — will help researchers for poor pollen release under drought conditions,
yield under favorable conditions. Rice breeders can develop improved, site-specific management which also inhibits yield. IRRI scientists are
find the most drought-tolerant varieties through a strategies for drought conditions. examining the genes that control the production
screening process wherein plants are deprived of and release of these hormones, as well as the
water around the flowering period, and then the Deletion mutants corresponding proteins. Ultimately, researchers hope
best-yielding candidates are selected. Since 2004, Deletion mutants offer an exciting way of exploring to develop rice plants that maintain reasonable
IRRI has identified many varieties combining high the effect of unknown genes on drought tolerance. yields under drought conditions.
yield when conditions are good with the
ability to produce yields of 2-3 tons per AEROBIC RICE varieties, like these Molecular breeding
hectare under conditions that are so being trialed at IRRI, can grow in Although drought-resilient rice varieties
dry that many popular varieties produce conditions far too dry for commonly do exist, it has proved difficult to combine
less than 1 ton per hectare. IRRI and grown modern varieties. drought tolerance and high yields. To link
collaborators are studying the genetic these two traits, scientists at IRRI and the
basis for this tolerance. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
interbred popular high-yielding varieties
Aerobic rice with more than 100 varieties from diverse
Rice breeders at IRRI are developing new origins. This produced a large number of
types of rice that combine the ability of breeding lines, which were then screened
some traditional but low-yielding varieties for high yield under drought stress.
to grow in dry soils with the fertilizer Researchers identified many lines whose
responsiveness and yield potential of physical appearance and performance
modern high-yielding varieties. The first were similar to the popular varieties they
generation of this so-called aerobic rice were derived from, but with improved
GARY ATLIN
JOBLESS AND APPREHENSIVE, people wait anxiously for relief to arrive, while
farmers gather to sell their bullocks at a weekly market in Orissa (below). As
drought-induced hardship forces more and more farmers to sell their
productive assets, such as farm animals, prices drop lower and lower.
that the worst consequences can that increase productivity will help focus on long-term strategies, we
be avoided. We may not have the farmers diversify their income won’t find a solution, but governments
ability to prevent drought, but we sources, giving them opportunities are now starting to realize how
have the chance to soften its effects to earn a living from more than serious this issue really is.”
and give people who depend on just one type of crop and from In research, we find the
agriculture a fighting chance. viable nonfarm activities. potential for truly sustainable
The answer lies in three “Farmers need nonagricultural improvements. IRRI has taken
interconnected areas — research, income so even when there is on a suite of different approaches,
effective long-term drought- agricultural failure, they can earn from breeding rice varieties that
mitigation policies and relief money,” explains Humnath Bhandari, are better able to tolerate drought
strategies. There is an urgent need a visiting research fellow at IRRI who conditions, to improved crop and
for policies that give farmers access coauthored the India drought report. water management strategies
to markets and affordable credit. “Effective drought relief, such as that help conserve and reduce
Improved irrigation systems and emergency food supplies, is crucial,” the need for water (see Drought
soil and water conservation, through says Dr. Bhandari, “but people only – what is IRRI doing?, opposite).
better approaches to managing receive assistance when a drought In combination with inadequate
natural watersheds, can help ease actually happens. Millions of relief coping mechanisms, drought not
the effects of drought. Access to dollars are spent but with little impact only perpetuates poverty but also
improved agricultural technologies on long-term mitigation. Unless we deepens it, forcing more people
below the poverty line and dragging
those already there deeper down.
At the same time, improvements
borne by research can have the
opposite effect, nudging people
back up into better circumstances.
“What would happen,” asks Dr.
Pandey, “if we could halve the rice
yield loss suffered during drought
years? This alone would prevent
about 4 million people in eastern
India from falling into poverty.”
Combine that with improved
policies, effective relief and better
infrastructure, and you give farmers
and their families a chance to keep
water in their fields, their crops above
ground and their heads above water.
p
on several fronts. The most obvious
u
impact is an increase in labor costs. A PLASTIC DRUM SEEDER holds six or eight perforated cylindrical drums housing pregerminated seeds that
g
Also, the optimal planting periods
n
are dropped in rows as the seeder is easily pushed or pulled along by a single person — like Filipino farmer
i
for the boro (dry) and aman (wet) Jimmy Gonzales — at walking pace. M. Zainul Abedin (below left), who led the drum-seeding trial, is inter-
m
viewed about the technology by Bangladesh TV Channel i during a field day in Pabna. The media has played a
seasons are relatively short.
D succe
m
crucial role in raising awareness of drum seeding throughout Bangladesh.
A lack of workers
ru ss
means not all
farmers can
plant their during the aman season. These 6-8 years. Originally designed by the
rice on time. factors, combined with increasing International Rice Research Institute
Delayed costs of other inputs and a falling or (IRRI), improvements by researchers
planting stagnant market price for rice, are and manufacturers in Vietnam have
leads to late- diminishing the economic viability substantially reduced the weight, cost
maturing rice, of rice production in Bangladesh. and usability of the device. It consists
increasing But a simple, inexpensive piece of of six to eight cylindrical drums
the risk of crop equipment has the potential to change along a central axis. Each drum is
losses at the tail the face of rice farming across the studded with holes through which
end of both seasons country. The drum seeder (see photo, pre-germinated seeds drop neatly in
— due to hailstorms or opposite) is a lightweight device rows on puddled soils as the drum
flooding from rain during made from high-density plastic with seeder is pulled along. The drums are
the boro season and due to drought a cost of around US$40 and a life of supported by a large plastic wheel at
each end, allowing the whole system
to be easily pulled along by a single
user at walking pace. Drum seeding
has already had success in Vietnam
as a seed-saving strategy, but its
capacity to save labor is profound:
while it may take up to 50 person-
days to transplant 1 hectare of rice,
direct wet seeding with a drum
seeder takes barely 2 person-days.
Bangladesh’s first drum-seeding
trial, conducted during the 2003
aman season — a collaboration
between IRRI and the Bangladesh
Rice Research Institute (BRRI),
funded by the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD)
— was a comprehensive success. In
Story and photography by the trial, led by M. Zainul Abedin,
Leharne Fountain Farming Systems Specialist in
Field days, often attended by Involving Bangladeshi policy seeding, in some areas the technology
hundreds of farmers, give drum- makers in the adoption process has the potential to displace jobs.
seeding converts the chance to provided a major boost. From an “Researchers need to be aware
inspire others to try the technology. early stage, Dr. Abedin realized of their social responsibility to see
At a field day in April 2005, three government support would be that there is no serious effect on rural
farmers shared their experiences of critical (see Grain of truth on page employment,” cautions Dr. Abedin.
drum seeding with a crowd of nearly 38). The team fostered relations “However, the economic boost caused
400 farmers and extension workers with the Bangladesh Ministry of by drum seeding should create jobs
from around Pabna, 240 km west of Agriculture and subsequently secured elsewhere to absorb displaced labor.”
Dhaka. One of the speakers, Jamal government funding of 10 million IRRI, BRRI and the DAE
Sheikh, described the experiment he Bangladeshi taka (US$156,000), are currently in discussions with
and some fellow farmers performed which was mainly used to buy Bangladeshi entrepreneurs interested
to try and reduce both the need an extra 2,500 drum seeders. in manufacturing drum seeders
for irrigation and the cost of land The government also pledged to locally, and two companies have
preparation by adopting a zero-tillage subsidize the cost of drum seeders for already manufactured prototypes.
technique that made use of residual farmers. The media have also been This sort of enterprise can help
moisture in his field from receding instrumental in increasing awareness the availability of drum seeders
floodwaters — and which, in concert of drum seeding. Many people — not meet the rising demand.
with drum seeding, gained them only rice farmers — approached
yields at least 20% higher than for BRRI and DAE for information on Major shift
transplanted rice. It is this spirit trying drum seeding after seeing Drum seeding represents a major
of innovation and determination stories about the technology on shift from transplanting, and there
that has stirred pride in those television or in the newspapers. is a need to manage the change
already drum seeding and But there is still work to be and create an environment that
inspired their counterparts. done. Research is still identifying allows change nationally. Training
the varieties and areas farmers and both government and
most suited to drum nongovernment extension workers
seeding, particularly is of paramount importance. An
taking into account IRRI-led meeting in June 2005,
land, soil and existing attended by senior government
cropping systems. Weed officials and high-level research,
management is also an issue, extension, nongovernmental,
as is the availability of the drum media and business personnel,
seeders, and the possible need established a 5-year plan for
for adaptations. And although transferring drum-seeding
scarcity of labor is the primary technology. Following this, the
MA. ROMILEE BOOL
I
seeding, which requires earlier irrigation n his own words, Ayub Husain is a “father of
than does transplanting. farmers.” Husain was part of the first group
of farmers to receive drum-seeding training
from BRRI. He then trained others, beginning
with five farmers in two locations during the
2003-04 boro (dry) season. In the following
aman (monsoon) season, just two farmers used
the drum seeder. The next boro season, though,
more than 60 farmers sowed 15 hectares by drum
seeding, including almost a hectare of Husain’s
own land. Wanting to spread the word, he joined
forces with IRRI and BRRI to hold a farmer field
day, which was attended by the State Minister
for Agriculture.
Inspired by the results in his own area,
Husain set out 500 km across Bangladesh, where
he led trials in the hometown of the Finance
Minister to raise government awareness of the
technology. The trials were not as successful as
hoped because of unsuitable conditions, but
neither he nor the farmers were discouraged;
these same farmers are now testing the seeder
in the aus (pre-monsoon) season.
What motivates a farmer to go to such
lengths? Husain claims his mission is simply
to help his fellow Bangladeshi farmers, as most
grow enough rice merely to feed themselves and
their families, and many struggle to produce
even that. By instilling farmers with a spirit of
to the project team for an additional million hectares,” he explains,
innovation, he believes Bangladeshi society as
investment of around 100 million “a 15% yield increase equates to a whole can move forward. Husain has seen that
taka ($1.56 million) to continue 3 million tons of extra rice with partnerships between farmers, scientists and
the work to spread drum-seeding very little extra investment. I researchers can increase productivity, and he
technology across Bangladesh. believe drum seeding has the wants scientists to help farmers realize that they
can take a technological approach to solving
Originally, the only planned potential to change the landscape
problems and improving their farming.
benefit of drum seeding was the of rice farming in Bangladesh.” While Husain travels around the country
cost saving from reduced labor Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service, spreading the news about drum seeding and
requirements. It was expected, a participating nongovernmental other technologies, his family looks after the
however, that this would be offset organization, sees early harvest and farm. It is more important, he feels, to dedicate
his time to benefit the entire country. This self-
slightly by an increased need for increased yield as more than just a
professed father of farmers doesn’t expect any
weed management. As it turns way to reduce monga (starvation) payment for his work: parents don’t expect to be
out, farmers have also experienced during the pre-harvest period in paid for being parents, he says, For Husain, it is
improved plant growth, increased October and November. First, early a reward in itself to watch his children — the
yields and earlier plant maturity, harvesting generates employment farmers he has mentored — “growing up.”
and they have used fewer seeds. for landless laborers, providing them
The latest results of drum income to buy food. Second, the early
seeding across the country show harvest and increased production
yield increases of up to 20% in make food available to vulnerable Its success so far confirms that
both boro and aman seasons, farmers during the monga period. simple and relatively inexpensive
and up to double the net profit, The farmers themselves are technologies can be effective. It
translating to additional income, overjoyed by the results and are goes much further, too. The drum-
over transplanted rice, of 7,000- eagerly sharing the technology with seeding experience is proving that
10,000 taka ($110-160) per hectare other farmers. Dr. Abedin has also working with communities in the
per season, a significant boost for witnessed benefits of the technology testing, adaptation and adoption of
most Bangladeshi rice farmers. Drum that run deeper than this — the spirit appropriate technologies, and linking
seeding also frees family labor, which of innovation and entrepreneurship policy makers, entrepreneurs and
has wide-ranging social benefits. among farmers and the strengthening other stakeholders early on — in other
Even with modest projections, of communities through working words, engaging from the beginning
Dr. Abedin believes drum seeding together are just as significant. those who stand to benefit and those
can have a profound impact. “If Drum seeding is helping to who have the power to help — can
drum seeding works on only 4 advance rice farming in Bangladesh. have a profound and lasting impact.
����������������������
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H
ybrid rice is the first-generation offspring of by crossing it with the maintainer, which helps to
a cross between two genetically diverse rice maintain the male-sterile line’s sterility.
plants. These hybrid offspring benefit from The multiplied male-sterile plants are then
a natural phenomenon known as hybrid vigor or grown alongside a third variety, which is genetically
heterosis, which is present in all biological systems different from the first two, and whose pollen
and has been exploited commercially in many fertilizes the male-sterile plants, and creates a fertile
A HYBRID
agricultural crops. Rice breeders use heterosis to “first-filial-generation” hybrid.
develop traits important to farmers such as increased Breeders use a range of parents to create a
yields and resilience to stressful environments. diversity of hybrids. The different combinations
Hybrid rice seeds must be produced for each are evaluated for yield, disease resistance, insect
new crop; a complex process requiring specific resistance and grain quality. The best are selected and
genetic tools. The difficulty stems from the self- their seeds are produced in bulk to supply farmers.
fertilizing nature of rice — each plant has both male Hybrid varieties must perform better than not
PIONEER
and female elements in the same flower. So, to cross only both their parents, but also farmers’ inbred
ARIEL JAVELLANA two genetically different varieties, one of them must varieties. They have a larger total biomass than
by Tim Overett be prevented from fertilizing its own seed. high-yielding inbred varieties and produce more
Hybrid breeders first breed a rice line that does grains per unit area, resulting in significantly higher
not produce viable pollen, termed “male-sterile.” But yields. But if farmers save and plant the seeds of a
this line can produce seed if pollinated by another hybrid crop, the resulting crop will not be uniform,
line, called a “maintainer,” which is fertile but will show mixed grain types and will have lost its
decades, it is time for a new pioneer so many pioneers before him, he otherwise genetically similar to the male-sterile line. yield advantage — so new hybrid seed must be
to add strength to this adage. retires this year from the Los Baños, Multiplication of the male-sterile line is achieved bought for every crop.
For almost 30 years, “Sant” Philippines-based International Rice
I
Singh Virmani has pioneered the Research Institute (IRRI) confident
t has been said of pioneers introduction of tropical hybrid that he’s made a real difference in the
that they rarely get the biggest rice, not just in Asia but around lives of millions — but, financially, As a small boy he was a Inspired by her commitment and
VIRMANI PRIVATE COLLECTION
benefit from that which they the world. Seeking impact before he’s none the richer for it and it will refugee, the only son in a family support, Dr. Virmani excelled
have pioneered, and that the accolades and results before fame probably be those who follow in his of five children forced to flee the academically, studying genetics
people who profit most are those who and fortune, Dr. Virmani dared to footsteps that reap the monetary trouble sparked by the painful and plant breeding at Vikram
follow carefully in their footsteps. go where few had gone before. rewards that hybrid rice can offer. partitioning of India and Pakistan University in India, where in 1963
This is evident in the history He embraced one of the most Like the rice plants he has in 1947. Having lost his father at he earned his Masters degree.
of many new technologies — from SANT VIRMANI observes rice crosses (top) from challenging and controversial spent most of his life studying and age 17, he faced a limited future The talents and intelligence he
IRRI’s hybrid rice program. He has come a long way
computers to medicines, from the since his days as a PhD student in the Cytogenetic
technologies in agriculture and developing, Dr. Virmani is a hybrid of in the family’s logging business. would carry with him all his life
motor vehicle to the airplane. Now, Lab of the Department of Plant Breeding at Punjab delivered it safely and securely to sorts himself — benefiting from the But his mother intervened, propelled him onwards to a PhD
after toiling away for more than 3 Agricultural University, India, in 1966-69. the rice farmers of the world. Like influence of several different cultures. insisting on a higher education. in plant breeding at the renowned
ARIEL JAVELLANA
environment laboratory of the world’s rice farmers.” of hybrid rice for increasing Fittingly, several major awards 1986 First International Symposium
for growing rice. on Hybrid Rice held in China in
And so began the exhaustive production in the tropics — as the have come Dr. Virmani’s way, not to collaboration with IRRI.
process of studying what had new IRRI director general in that mention widespread and deserved 1993-94 India adopts IRRI hybrid rice in its
happened in China. In 1980 and Dr. Virmani was able to finally settle international recognition and respect. market economy with the participation
Punjab Agricultural University. technology didn’t have much practical 1981, Dr. Virmani joined 20 other down and face a secure future. He has been elected Fellow of the of private seed industry.
Under the guidance of the respected use. IRRI subsequently discontinued rice breeders in month-long tours After this, it took 7 years for Dr. National Academy of Agricultural 1996 India has 150,000 hectares under
hybrid rice, encouraging several
D.S. Athwal, he graduated in 1969. hybrid rice research the next year, of China’s hybrid rice areas. By Virmani and his team to develop Sciences of India, the American other countries outside China to start
Dr. Virmani’s first job was in and after completing his fellowship, the time he returned to IRRI, types of rice suitable for breeding Society of Agronomy, the Crop working on hybrid technology.
1970 as a postdoctoral fellow at IRRI Dr. Virmani returned to the Punjab several others had begun to see tropical hybrids capable of laying the Science Society of America (CSSA), 1999 Philippines and Bangladesh begin
headquarters, where he relaunched Agricultural University as a legume and accept the Virmani vision, foundations for a hybrid rice industry and the American Association for using hybrid rice from IRRI. China
a relationship that would influence geneticist and breeder. The following but with one important caveat. in tropical Asia. As it turned out, the Advancement of Science. His joins the IRRI-sponsored International
Hybrid Rice Network involving national
the rest of his professional life. year, he took up a rice breeder Unsuited to the tropics, the this major breakthrough marked the awards include the CSSA’s 2002 agricultural research systems in India,
By this time, Dr. Athwal — a man position with the West Africa-based Chinese varieties would not be beginning of even greater problems International Crop Science Research Indonesia, Bangladesh, Philippines,
who, according to founding IRRI International Institute of Tropical viable for farmers across much — but it wasn’t the science itself Award and 2005 Monsanto Crop Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Director General Robert Chandler, Agriculture. With his young wife, of tropical Southeast Asia. More that stood in Dr. Virmani’s way. Science Distinguished Career 2000 Seed production of hybrid rice
“had sound judgment, was an Indu, and their Los Baños-born baby work was needed to develop Having quietly achieved a Award; the 2005 Pravasi Bharatiya becomes commercially viable in
India, Philippines, Vietnam and
indefatigable worker and was highly girl, Raminder, he set off for a 6-year hybrid rice varieties that would historic breakthrough in public rice Samman Award for nonresident Bangladesh.
regarded by the IRRI staff” — had stint in Liberia, where their son thrive in the region’s hot, humid research, Dr. Virmani was hit with a Indians “for his efforts to assuage 2004 Hybrid rice covers 1.5 million hectares
become IRRI’s assistant director. Jusmeet (Sunny) was born in 1974. climate. Achieving this would series of unprecedented challenges. India’s concerns on food security and in Vietnam, India, Philippines,
He would once again take the young In 1977, China dropped a take years of breeding, testing Not only did he have to convince related issues;” and the Koshihikari Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Dr. Virmani under his wing. bombshell onto the world of and trials, along with a fair share government policy makers of the International Rice Prize for his
Dr. Virmani presented his early rice research and production by of errors, setbacks and debate. potential of hybrid rice, but he had contributions to developing and
hybrid rice work at IRRI’s first announcing it had produced the One of Dr. Virmani’s biggest to lobby for the setting up of hybrid disseminating hybrid rice technology are now commercially successful
rice breeding symposium in 1971. first hybrid rice variety, triggering challenges was convincing his own rice seed industries; find ways to in countries outside China. in India, Philippines, Vietnam,
Participants discussed the prospects immense curiosity and interest peers in public-sector research of encourage the private sector to invest After retiring from IRRI this Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar.
of hybrid rice, but the majority felt the among the global rice research the potential of hybrid rice in the in hybrid rice; and — hardest of all year, Dr. Virmani’s experience Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran and Egypt
— convince farmers they could make and expertise will remain in great are also ready to commercialize
a better income from hybrids despite demand around the world. It is hybrid rice. And more than 70
MOMENTS IN TIME (from left to right): Dr Virmani with wife Indu on a North Indian trip; demonstrating his hybrid rice research to former Philippine President Ferdinand having to buy new seed each year. a testament to his achievements seed companies in the public,
Marcos (left) and Agriculture Secretary A. Tanco (extreme left), with first lady Imelda Marcos (second from left) watching on; showing IRRI rice breeding materials to Why did he persist in the face of that rice hybrids he has developed private and nongovernmental
Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug (center) and former IRRI principal plant breeder and World Food Prize Laureate Gurdev Khush (right); and receiving the 2005 Pravasi sectors are currently investing
Bharatiya Samman Award for nonresident Indians from Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Mumbai.
significantly in hybrid rice.
1969 1985 2000 2005 Sant Singh Virmani, hybrid rice
IRRI
IRRI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
VIRMANI PRIVATE COLLECTION
Unlocking the
“hidden” in two ways. First, the
effect of an allele depends on the
genetic background — the genetic ����������� �������������
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accessions that contain it. (The �����������������������������
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AILEEN RONDILLA
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by Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton and Ken McNally
I
the effects of all other — discovering new alleles at the breeding is a “numbers game.”
genes in the genome. selected genes. This means working Breeders need to screen large
magine the diversity of rice that might make a recognizable rice RESEARCH Finding the through the collection to find all numbers of plants in order to find
that the International Rice plant. Then consider the enormous TECHNICIAN unknown valuable the alleles of these selected genes. the rare valuable genotypes. The
Bernardo
Research Institute (IRRI) complexity of interacting biochemical Mercado pulls
alleles in the collection Researchers can’t just start with the same applies to allele mining — if a
ARIEL JAVELLANA
conserves in the International reactions that drive the life of any a sample from is called “allele mining.” first accession and work through valuable allele is present in only one
Rice Genebank. The Philippines- organism — each allele may have IRRI’s Interna- Discovering all there the collection. Such an approach of the 100,000-plus accessions, we
based repository, responsible for a different effect on any one of tional Rice Gene- is to know about the would be inefficient, since the second will miss it from a core collection.
safekeeping all known types of rice, the thousands and thousands of bank. The genes genetic diversity of rice accession, for example, might be Ultimately, we may have to screen
contained therein
contains more than 100,000 strains biochemical steps. Changing one may eventually help
is way beyond the capacity similar to the first at the chosen the whole collection. With allele-
and varieties (each is referred to step produces a series of cumulative to produce healthy, of current technologies. genes, so analyzing that second mining technologies rapidly
as an “accession”). Many of these effects, altering each subsequent high-yielding rice (top). The necessary first step to accession wouldn’t give us much becoming cheaper and faster, this
comprise a mixture of different step and, ultimately, the overall actually mining for new alleles additional information. Instead, we will soon be within our grasp.
genotypes. Each rice genotype — that biochemical process. The point in the genebank collection is to begin by choosing a subset of highly However, simply discovering the
is, the genetic makeup that defines is that a seemingly small genetic value of the collection is decide which part of the genome we distinctive accessions. This subset new alleles is not the end of the story.
each type of rice — has an estimated difference can produce significant being, and will be, realized should explore. Which genes should is known as a “core collection.” Each time we discover a new allele
50,000 genes. Every gene comes in differences in the end product. Each through plant breeding — combining researchers look at? Discovering To choose the best core at a candidate gene, we then have to
an unknown number of different gene affects many traits and each the best alleles from different genes in the important genes involves an collection, researchers collect a wide determine its agronomic significance.
versions, known as alleles, and each trait is controlled by many genes. different accessions to create superior intensive series of genetic analyses range of evidence on diversity, then Here we go back to a new round of
allele may change the way the rice Rice agriculture depends on new combinations of the traits needed of a small, carefully-selected set of sample accessions representative functional genomics research to
looks or grows or tastes. Consider this diversity. If a new rice disease by farmers and consumers. In this genotypes. This area of functional of this diversity. One easy generic assess the value of the new allele.
the incalculable number of different appears, researchers can search the way, researchers can breed nutritious, genomics, or gene discovery, allows factor is geographic origin. By discovering the full diversity
possible combinations of all the genebank for resistant varieties. The high-quality, high-yielding rice us to decide which parts of the Traditional varieties from different of available alleles and their
different versions, and you begin to alleles required to make rice more varieties that are resistant to pests genome determine agronomic traits parts of the world have had an agronomic significance, we can finally
comprehend the diversity of rice. tolerant of drought, for example, and diseases and tolerate stresses of interest. The answer depends on independent history of domestication look forward to genebanks achieving
Try a simple calculation, exist within the varieties contained such as drought, flooding, low or which traits we are interested in for thousands of years, and are their full potential — contributing to
assuming that only two alleles of in the collection. The genebank high temperatures and poor soils. — grain quality, nutritional value, therefore likely to show differences sustainable development by enabling
each gene actually work: write contains the diversity of alleles This seems simple enough in disease resistance, tolerance of poor across the whole genome. This way, us to deploy the right alleles in the
down the number “1” and then write we need to respond to changes in principle, but leaves us with some soils and so on. The output of this researchers can discover at least the right places at the right time.
15,000 zeros after it. Equivalently, climate, consumer expectations, burning questions. How can we research is a set of “candidate genes” majority of new alleles in a relatively
say “million” a thousand million agricultural technologies and identify the best combinations of — genes that we believe may have small number of accessions.
times (it’ll take you 12 years without government priorities. alleles? How can we identify the a certain functional significance. However, even a good core Dr. Sackville Hamilton is head of
sleeping). Give or take a few thousand The entire genebank collection “best” allele of each gene? When a Having chosen the candidate collection won’t allow us to discover IRRI’s Genetic Resources Center. Dr.
zeros, that’s approximately the may contain samples of most working new disease appears, how can we genes for exploration, we can start all possible alleles. Plant breeders McNally is a molecular geneticist
number of combinations of alleles versions of each rice gene. The full know which alleles offer resistance the serious business of allele mining are familiar with the concept that in the Genetic Resources Center.
a better
most destructive pest of rice crops in Southeast
Rodent Ecology Work Group at the Scientific and
Asia, consuming enough rice every year to feed millions
International Rice Research Institute Industrial
of people. They attack all stages of the rice plant and are
(IRRI), “because it’s a trap within a Research
extremely difficult to control. Not only do rats reduce
crop. Instead of setting traps outside Organisation
rat trap
yield, they also consume and contaminate stored food and
the rice crop, you set them inside.” (CSIRO) and
carry diseases such as leptospirosis, rat typhus and plague.
Rats can bring destruction Indonesia’s
All across the rice-growing world, farmers are
because of their ability to multiply Institute for Rice
crying out for effective ways to control rodents. The
extremely quickly. Rice-field rats Research, with
situation is no different in the northern Philippine
have a short, 3-week pregnancy and funding from
municipalities of Banaue and Hungduan. There,
PHILRICE
average litters of 11-12 pups, which the Australian
by Adam Barclay rat damage can cause yield losses of up to 75%.
are ready to breed at only 6 weeks Centre for
Now, though, an improved system for trapping
of age. Breeding-age females can International
rodents is helping rice farmers in these famously
become pregnant again within a Agricultural Research. Ravindra community action, it doesn’t fly,” he
scenic areas (Banaue is home to stunning, 2,000-
few days of giving birth, potentially Joshi and his team from the says. “With it, though, it’s very good.”
year-old World Heritage–listed rice terraces). The
leading to three litters — 30-40 Philippine Rice Research Institute As well as being environmentally
community-based approach builds on the trap barrier
new rats — per first-generation (PhilRice) under the Department friendly, the CTBS allows farmer
system (TBS), which is based on methods developed
female during the early phase of of Agriculture, Republic of the involvement from the planning
in the 1980s by Malaysian scientist Lam Yuet Ming.
the crop. In two cropping seasons, Philippines, together with CSIRO’s stages through to setting the traps
Amid the spectacular mountains Known as the community trap barrier system (CTBS),
a single adult breeding pair of rats Grant Singleton, have been using and capturing the rodents — a
it is a chemical-free rodent-management system
can produce 500 descendents. comics and posters to promote process that helps build a stronger
that helps reduce rat damage, improve hygiene
of the northern Philippines, an and increase rice yields and farmers’ income.
One benefit of the CTBS is that use of the CTBS in Banaue and community. The increased income
it doesn’t rely on expensive, toxic or Hungduan, where rice farming is generated from higher rice yields also
A key to the CTBS is an area of rice known as the trap
environmentally damaging poisons. the major source of income for the benefits farmers, their families and
improved rat trap is helping crop, planted inside a farmer’s rice field in advance of the
This is especially important in area’s indigenous Ifugao people. At ultimately the community as a whole.
main crop. Tempted by the chance for an early-season
developing countries, where poor the PhilRice Central Experiment “The CTBS is but one tool
farmers prevent rodents from farmers sometimes use cheaper Station in Nueva Ecija, the CTBS in an integrated approach to
poisons not intended for use against has become standard practice. rodent management,” notes Dr.
rodents, and which can kill other Another key to the CTBS is that Singleton. “Other actions include
devastating precious rice fields species, including domesticated first word: “community.” When it collecting rodents at key times
farm animals and natural predators was merely the TBS, the traps were and in source habitats, and
of rodents such as birds of prey. available to farmers who could afford increasing general hygiene around
The toxins can, of course, also be them. But not all farmers had enough villages. Planting crops within a
poisonous to the farmers themselves. money and, because most rice farms 2-week period effectively limits
Loss of biodiversity — especially in Asia are small, not all farmers the rats’ breeding season, which
among invertebrates at the base of need to use the trap themselves. One is linked to the development and
the food chain — can hurt the local system can protect 10-15 hectares ripening of the rice seed.”
ecology through increased damage of irrigated rice, typically an area Dr. Singleton adds that while
by insect and rodent pests and a covering around 10 farms, allowing the CTBS has proven successful
consequent increased reliance on farmers to share the costs and in irrigated lowland rice-growing
the same inappropriate toxins. benefits. It is much more efficient to systems, it has been less effective in
The CTBS has already enjoyed have one farmer plant a trap crop 2 rainfed and upland systems where,
success in Vietnam and Indonesia, to 3 weeks ahead of the surrounding consequently, other community
where chemical use was reduced by farmers, to trap rats early in their actions take on higher importance.
66% and 50%, respectively; yields breeding season before they can Dr. Singleton’s team and the
increased by up to 0.5 tons per rapidly multiply. The rats’ strong Rodent Ecology Work Group won
hectare; and there were significant sense of smell leads them to the trap CSIRO’s Partnering Excellence Medal
reductions in costs of rodent crop, which is contained inside a in 2002 for their CTBS research
STAFF from the Philippine Rice control. The system plastic barrier dotted with openings and development. The medal
Research Institute inspect a
community trap barrier system
was developed that let the rodents in but not out. recognized excellence in providing
(CTBS) in Banaue, Philippines. In by a team of Dr. Heong points out that international leadership, scientific
another area of Banaue, a CTBS researchers the community action is in some expertise and training in ecologically-
(taller rice in center of page) sits from ways both a blessing and curse for based management of rodent pests
in front of a stunning view of the IRRI’s the CTBS, as organizing a group in Australia and Asia, through
region’s famous rice terraces.
campaign can be tricky. “Without building quality partnerships.
GRANT SINGLETON (2)
34 Rice Today September 2005 Rice Today September 2005 35
BOOKS
Novel ways to share knowledge tional Research Center for Agricultural
Sciences and Chairman of WRRC 2004,
described the proceedings as containing
“the state of the art in rice science and
Puckridge as making “this fascinating production that we hope will be useful
book accessible far beyond the obvi- to rice scientists, extension specialists,
ous ‘science’ audience.” The book tells development agents and policymakers.”
the story of the remarkable recovery of Download a free PDF version of the entire
Cambodian agriculture following the proceedings from www.irri.org/publica-
devastation wrought by years of Khmer tions/catalog/catalog.asp?ref=R#005-
Rouge rule. Dr. Puckridge was part of the 971-22-0204-6 or purchase the CD online
IRRI team sent to Cambodia to work with or at IRRI’s Riceworld Bookstore.
Cambodian scholars and scientists to help
re-establish the country’s rural economy. Toward a hunger free world
To read a short excerpt from the book, Toward a Hunger-Free World – life and
see Rice Today, Vol. 4 No. 1, page 15. Work of M.S. Swaminathan: Anwar
Dil, Compiler and Editor; Published
Valuable reference on rice chemistry by Intercultural Forum, U.S.A.
Rice Chemistry and Quality: Bien- Against a background of serious food
venido Juliano; Published by the shortages following World War II, M.S.
Philippine Rice Research Institute. Swaminathan recognized the potential of
Rice harnessing different plant varieties of rice
Innovations in Rural Extension Chemistry and wheat to advance food production.
– Case Studies from Bangladesh: and Qual- Over the last 4 decades, his objective has
Paul Van Mele and Noel Magor, Eds; ity, written by been a hunger-free world. A new compi-
Published by CABI Publishing, UK. former IRRI lation by Anwar Dil brings together the
Innovations in Rural Extension cereal chemist writings of Dr. Swaminathan on how to
describes new and creative ways to share Bienvenido free the world from hunger and poverty,
knowledge with farmers. Presenting Juliano, is a together with perspectives on his life and
case studies from Bangladesh during the revised and work. A review in The Hindu newspaper
5-year Poverty Elimination Through Rice updated ver- regards this publication “a reference
Research Assistance project, the book sion of Rice book of a rare kind for all engaged in the
illustrates the use of innovative meth- Chemistry task of alleviating hunger and poverty,
ods such as video, songs and women-led and Technol- […] which should serve as a source of
extension to share knowledge with farm- ogy, 2nd inspiration to the younger generation.”
ers on topics including seed production, edition (1985). In the new book, Dr.
postharvest technologies and integrated Juliano has summarized his accumu- Awards for rice insect book
rice-duck farming. The book examines lated experience over 4 decades of rice Rice-feeding Insects and Selected
numerous approaches and assesses their research, describing all aspects of rice Natural Enemies in West Africa, by
potential for replication and growth. chemistry and rice grain quality, and E.A. Heinrichs and Alberto T. Barrion
citing relevant work by other scientists. A and edited by G.P. Hettel, has won two
A burning read review by the journal Starch states that major awards from the U.S.-based As-
The Burning of the Rice – a Cambodian the book is “intended for anyone inter- sociation for Communication Excellence
Success Story: Don Puckridge; Published ested in rice, in particular researchers, (ACE). Published jointly by IRRI and
by Sid Harta teachers and students, and is an infor- The Africa Rice Center – WARDA, the
Publishers, mative and valuable reference work.” book won a Gold Award in the Editing
Australia. Class and a Bronze Award in the Techni-
New World Rice Research Con- cal Publications Class in the Publishing
Agriculturist ference proceedings Category of ACE’s Critique and Awards
online has The World Rice Research Conference Program. The publication provides the
highly rec- (WRRC), held 4-7 November 2004 in first comprehensive taxonomic keys to
ommended Tokyo and Tsukuba, Japan, marked the West African rice-feeding insects and
The Burning culmination of the International Year of their natural enemies, describing the
of the Rice, Rice 2004. Nearly 500 papers and post- presence and abundance of important
praising ers were presented under the conference insects and spiders in the various climatic
the writ- theme of “Rice is life: scientific perspec- zones and rice ecosystems of the region.
ing style of tives for the 21st century.” Akinori Nogu- It can be purchased online at www.irri.
author Don chi, Vice president of the Japan Interna- org/publications/catalog/index.asp.
ARIEL JAVELLANA
O
ver the past 4 decades, rice ing the contribution of improved rice
research has achieved sub- technologies to poverty reduction
stantial progress in developing in Asia is scarcity of land and small
genetically improved rice varieties and farm sizes. Over two-thirds of farm low. Rainfed ecosystems account
more efficient management of natural households in Asia cultivate less for just over half of Asia’s rice land
resources and inputs (fertilizer, pes- than 1 hectare, which is insufficient and scientists are developing new
ticides, new seeds and labor). These to generate an income above poverty rainfed varieties that can reduce the
advances have helped farmers increase level, even with improved technology. gap between achieved and potential
productivity and decrease produc- One-third to one-half of rural yields. Keeping rice affordable for
tion costs, as well as reduce the crop households in developing Asia are the poor — and consequent progress
maturity period, thereby releasing land landless and these depend on agri- in poverty reduction — therefore
to grow another crop during the year. cultural labor and nonfarm activities depends on technological advances.
Rice is the principal agricultural crop (such as transport operation and con- Growth in productivity, income
in most Asian countries, often account- struction) for their livelihood. They and savings catalyzed by technologi-
ing for more than half of total cropped do not gain directly from improved cal progress allows rural households
area, so improved technologies can technologies and better land pro- to invest in children’s education and
have an enormous impact ductivity, but they nonfarm business, thereby spurring
— potentially more than benefit from conse- growth of the rural nonfarm econo-
Improved technologies
doubling rice yields and farm quently cheaper rice my. Ultimately, this process leads to
profits, and reducing the unit — equivalent to a a decline in agriculture’s share of the
can have an
cost of production by 25%, higher real income rural and national economies. Such
compared to traditional and purchasing growth must go hand-in-hand with
enormous impact
rice varieties. But to what capacity, given the development of rural infrastruc-
extent do such improved that the poorest of ture such as roads and electrifica-
technologies really benefit the poor? the poor spend a large proportion of tion — without this, educated people
In the early 1970s, many social their money on food in general and, tend to migrate to urban areas or
scientists argued that the new tech- in Asia, rice in particular. And the abroad for better income-earning
nologies, which sparked the Green reduced unit cost of food production opportunities, draining rural ar-
Revolution, would bypass small-scale means that lower prices don’t cut eas of vital entrepreneurial skills.
farmers who would be unable to afford profits for small-scale farmers. De- Agriculture’s role in poverty al-
the necessary irrigation, drainage and cline in the real (inflation-adjusted) leviation depends partly on the state
inputs. But, inspired by the improved price of rice is the main factor behind of development of the economy. At
yields and profitability offered by the the moderate progress in poverty al- low levels of economic development,
new technologies, both governments leviation seen over the past 3 decades. where food production is a major
and farmers increased investment in But technological progress is source of employment and incomes,
irrigation infrastructure. Larger farm- running out of steam for irrigated rice improved agricultural productiv-
ers adopted the new systems first, but ecosystems and, with water becom- ity has a substantial direct effect on
small-scale farmers soon caught up. ing increasingly scarce, there is little poverty reduction, but this declines
Access to irrigation and well- scope for expanding irrigated areas. with economic prosperity. At the
drained land are the major deter- The potential for sustaining growth middle stage of development, di-
minants for adoption of improved in irrigated rice production is lim- versification out of staple food and
rice varieties. Socioeconomic factors ited unless researchers can further movement into nonfarm economic
such as farm size and lack of ac- increase the yield potential of irri- activities become important sources
cess to institutional credit have not gated varieties or improve water-use of rural income growth. But it is the
proved to be major constraints. By such that irrigated area can expand. increase in productivity of staple
the 1990s, improved varieties had There is still some scope for increas- food crops — predominantly rice in
extended to almost 70% of rice area. ing production in rainfed environ- Asia — that triggers economic growth
The most important factor limit- ments, where the yield is currently and clears the path to prosperity.
I
nvolving farmers and farming communities in decisions about Through the DAE, the Bangladesh Minister for Agriculture,
new agricultural technologies or management practices and M.K. Anwar, has already allocated 10 million Bangladeshi taka
allowing them to try a technology form the crux of the partici- (US$156,000) to support the project and has pledged to allocate
patory approach to research. Not only does this give farming com- more, as well as subsidize the cost of drum seeders for farmers, with
munities a sense of ownership, it also ensures that the technologies the hope of seeing the technology spread throughout the country
are sustainable under the farmers’ own management. in the next 3-5 years. At every turn, the project team has encour-
But is farmer participation alone enough to ensure that new aged Mr. Anwar and the State Minister for Agriculture, Mirza
technologies are successfully adopted? Even if a new technology Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, to participate in field days and take other
initially proves acceptable to farmers, it may ultimately be policy opportunities to talk to farmers who have tried the technology. The
support from governments that catalyzes its spread. Attracting team now has a strong rapport with the ministers and their offices,
such support requires that governments and this has been crucial in negotiating
themselves also participate in the technol- further government support. Through
ogy adoption process. Is farmer participation alone their close interest in the technology
In Bangladesh, the direct seeding of adoption process, the ministers have
rice with plastic drum seeders provides a enough to ensure that new become powerful allies and champions
good example. A drum seeder consists of of drum-seeding technology.
a series of perforated drums supported technologies are successfully In West Bengal, India, where drum
between two wheels. Seeds are placed in seeding is in the early stages of trial
the drums and the device is hand-pulled adopted? Even if a new technology and adoption, project leaders have al-
by one farmer, allowing seeds to fall in ready fostered relations with Sukhabilas
rows into the puddled field. This technol- proves acceptable to farmers, it Barma, the Principal Secretary of the
ogy offers great potential to save labor and state’s Ministry of Agriculture, and the
increase yield and income for Bangladeshi may ultimately be policy support drum seeder is set to be included under
farmers. a grant program for new innovation and
Beginning in the 2003 aman (mon- that catalyzes its spread. mechanization. IRRI and its Indian part-
soon) season, an IRRI-led drum-seeding ners have also briefed the Secretary of the
trial had five farmers try the technology in national Ministry of Agriculture, Radha
their fields. By the next boro (dry) season, the trial had expanded Singh, who has pledged her support through further grants to the
to include farmers in 56 locations across the country. Now, after state government. This will see drum seeders available to farmers
just three seasons, demand for drum seeders is rising rapidly. Some at a nominal cost, and associated extension and training activities
4,000 Bangladeshi farmers are currently using the technology, will be provided.
with hundreds more seeking access to it. Without such government endorsement, where would the
In the early stages of the trials, IRRI, the Bangladesh Rice adoption process be? Certainly, there has been no problem in
Research Institute and the Bangladesh Department of Agricultural convincing farmers of the benefits of drum seeding. But without
Extension (DAE) supplied drum seeders to participating farmers. financial and policy support from the governments of Bangladesh
This was designed to be a starting point rather than a sustainable and West Bengal, the spread of the technology would flounder.
approach. In the longer term, IRRI envisioned a local manufacturer Allowing private enterprise to manufacture and distribute drum
producing and selling drum seeders as a business venture, and seeders — IRRI and its partners cannot simply continue to hand
local farmers purchasing directly or through retailers. But this is them out — also needs trade and investment policy support, areas
not something that IRRI and its research and funding partners well beyond the jurisdiction of the technology’s researchers and
can achieve alone — it requires the backing of the Bangladeshi developers.
government. Sure enough, encouraging government involvement In short, participation with governments — as well as farmers
has been a critical part of ensuring the policy support needed for — in technology adoption ensures a far greater chance of ongoing
widespread adoption of drum seeding. success.
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