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Case studies on sustainable rice systems
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Case studies on sustainable rice systems
International Rice Commission Newsletter 56
In line with the efforts to disseminate information on rice and related topics, Volume 56 of the International Rice Commission Newsletter contains information on the current situation of the world rice market, the performance of rice production and the challenges faced in the 2000– 10 decade, and the technical options for enhanced sustainable rice production. It also provides an insight into the orientation and technical development of rice programmes in selected member countries and recent international and regional initiatives to support sustainable rice production.
International Rice Commission Newsletter 55
The collection, analysis and dissemination of information on rice and rice-based production systems is a major activity of the Secretariat of the International Rice Commission in its mission to promote national and international action in matters relating to the production, conservation, distribution and consumption of rice. The 21st Session of the International Rice Commission was held in 2006 in Peru with the main theme of “Rice is Life – Bringing the Implementation of IYR to Farmers’ Fields”. This IRC Newsletter contains mainly the keynotes and papers presented during the Session in order to share the current knowledge, thoughts and visions for sustainable rice production systems. International Rice Commission Newsletter 54
The battle against hunger and poverty does not end when bellies are full, but when they are nourished. It is necessary to look to science and new technologies to confront the need for added value of this staple crop. In addition to treating rice as a staple, it is important to focus on its value as a speciality food, a food that is treasured in developed and developing economies alike. It is also important to increase the focus on the rice plant within its ecosystem. The rice system is a hub of biodiversity that can be harnessed to improve rural diets and livelihoods in an ecologically sustainable way. It is time to consider the rice system with vision. Sustainable Intensification of Rice Production for Food Security in the Near Future
The surge in rice prices since 2007 has affected food security in several developing countries where rice is the staple food crop. The rate of growth of rice yield increases is declining, while water and land resources for rice production are becoming scarce. The food security of rice consumers depends, therefore, on greater national, regional and international efforts and investments toward achieving sustainable production increases. Policy makers need information on the situation of rice production and on improved technologies that are available for sustainable intensification of rice production in order to formulate appropriate policies for supporting rice production. International Rice Commission Newsletter 52
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2004 the International Year of Rice (IYR). This special issue of the IRC Newsletter aims to provide the relevant information on the background, history, strategy and planned activities for the observance of this extraordinary Year. I am certain that your interest, contribution and involvement in IYR activities will contribute to the global effort to improve awareness of rice and rice-based production systems leading to a renewed global commitment to sustainable rural development.
For more than two decades, China has successfully deployed the technology on a large scale. In 1998, Chinese farmers grew 15 million ha of hybrid rice - or nearly 50 percent of the country's total rice area. Since the 1980s, in compliance with the International Rice Commission's recommendations, FAO has been fully committed to promoting large-scale adoption of hybrid rice in the world. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and many national agricultural research centres, recognizing the potential of hybrid rice technology and following China's example, have been actively conducting research and training programmes, and countries such as India, the Philippines and Viet Nam have been disseminating this technology to farmers. Sustainable rice production for food security: Proceedings of the 20th Session of the International Rice Commission
Every 4 years FAO convenes a session of the International Rice Commission in order that its member countries may review and orient strategies for their national rice research and development programmes. The Twentieth Session was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 23 to 26 July 2002. A number of papers which review the progress in genetic improvement for food security, integrated production management, recent scientific achievements, regional strategies and emerging issues relating to global sustainable rice-based production systems were presented and discussed during the Twentieth Session.
The main objective of “FAO Rice Information” is to make available to interested individuals (farmers, developers, researchers, extension workers, policy makers etc.) and institutions (governmental, non-governmental and international) useful information in order to assist them in their efforts to improve sustainable rice production. This Third Volume of FAO Rice Information provides: information on rice production, consumption and nutrition during the period from 1995 to 2000; updated Profiles of Country Rice Facts; and information concerning the two most important rice weeds - red rice and the Echinochloa complex - in different rice-producing countries.
The Expert Consultation on Bridging the Rice Yield Gap in the Asia-Pacific Region was held at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 5 to 7 October 1999. Groups of Asian farmers have been able to achieve yields close to the yield potential for their respective locations, reducing the existing yield gap of 30-70%. A clear understanding of factors contributing to this phenomenon could lead to the recovery of a significant part of the current yield potential and provide another avenue to increase production and farm incomes. |
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