Senior Hybrid Rice Consultant, Project TCP/INS/8921
Rice is the backbone of Indonesian agriculture: it occupies more than 75 percent of the cultivated area and provides 66 percent of the calorie requirements of the country's 204 million people. With the adoption of high-yielding varietal technology, the country transformed its deficit status into a status of exportable surplus during 1984. However, in recent years the varietal yields have reached a plateau and there has been a decline in productivity levels. The rice requirements by 2025 would be about 68.8 million tonnes to meet the food needs of an ever-increasing population, which is estimated to reach 265 million by that period. With no options to increase rice cultivation, the government has been making serious efforts to increase the productivity by innovative technologies. The success of hybrid rice in China followed by recent success stories from India and Viet Nam has prompted the government to reinvigorate its efforts to develop and use hybrid rice to increase productivity. To augment these efforts, FAO sponsored the Technical Cooperation Programme project (TCP/INS/8921) "Strengthening the development and use of hybrid rice in Indonesia" for a period of 20 months from April 2000 to November 2001.
The major objectives of the project were as follows:
The project's activities were coordinated by the Directorate of Seed Development (DSD) and implemented in five provinces - West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali and West Nusa Tenggara - in collaboration with the Research Institute for Rice (RIR), rice seed farms of the provincial governments, seed control and certification agencies, and private and public seed companies.
The major activities included a review of the status and planning of human resource development through study tours, overseas and in-country training programmes, conducting hybrid evaluation trials, establishing and monitoring seed production demonstrations, preparation of a medium-term programme and organizing national workshops.
It was found that work on hybrid rice had been initiated as early as 1983, but until recently these efforts had been academic. Research centres had identified three promising hybrids and these needed further multilocation testing. The purity level of parental lines was not satisfactory, especially that of IR 59025A. The lack of trained human resources, the absence of a well-organized network and weak collaborative activities actually hindered the process of work. Hybrid rice breeding and seed production activities were not fully geared to meet the requirements. Strengthening the human resource development for hybrid rice has been one of the major objectives of this project, and this activity has been implemented in earnest, surpassing the set targets. The collaboration between the Department of Seed Development, which is the coordinating agency, and the RIR, Sukamandi, has been excellent, especially in organizing the in-country training programmes, which have proved to be a great success. Excellent field facilities and the training facilities at Sukamandi were effectively utilized for the training courses. The organization of these training programmes involved FAO consultants and the staff of RIR and DSD as resource persons. The course contents were exhaustive and included well-balanced theory and practical sessions. The first training on hybrid seed production was imparted to the same batch in three phases so that the trainees could practise all the time-bound operations by themselves. These phases were: an initial phase covering nursery preparation, sowing, selection of sites and planting; the middle phase at sowing to cover/roguing, GA3 spray and supplementary pollination; and the final phase at harvesting.
This approach was well appreciated and very effective. During the mission period, six in-country training programmes on hybrid seed production (2), hybrid rice technology (1), hybrid rice cultivation (1) hybrid rice breeding (1) and hybrid rice cultivation and seed production(1) were held. About 250 people were trained, representing 8 breeders, 80 seed production and certification personnel, 55 extension workers, 20 officials from DSD and AW Seed and 101 farmers (Table 1).
In addition, two people working in DSD and another working at the rice seed farm, Tegalgondo, were given on-the-job training for three months at the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Center (CNRRDC), Changsha, China. The training covered the seed-to-seed period and the trainees benefited greatly from this course. These trained people are not only actively involved in hybrid rice evaluation and seed production work but have also been helping as resource persons for various in-country training programmes. They have enriched their knowledge and skills and have become more confident in shouldering the responsibility of seed production.
In view of the importance of the commitment of policy-makers to the outcome of the project, provision was made for two study tours. Accordingly, the Director, DSD, and the National Project Coordinator, who were both actively involved in the coordination and implementation of this project, visited China, Japan and the Philippines during the cropping season in September 2001 (12-26 September 2001). They visited CNRRDC and acquainted themselves with the latest developments in hybrid rice. They visited experimental and seed production plots, laboratories and a GA3 factory. They also held discussions with officials regarding possible collaboration between the two countries to help Indonesia introduce faster adoption of hybrid rice technology. The team also visited Mitsui Seed Company and Research Institute at Tsukuba in Japan, where they were shown the various hybrid seed production activities. In addition, the National Project Coordinator visited the International Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute in the Philippines and met with scientists there. These study tours exposed these key people to the latest developments in countries and institutes actively engaged in hybrid rice technology, which has helped them subsequently in the effective implementation of the project and provided much needed confidence to strengthen future activities on hybrid rice in Indonesia.
TABLE 1 |
||||
Course |
Batch phase |
Duration |
Number of participants |
Clients |
1. Training on hybrid rice production |
I |
25-29 January 2001 |
30 |
Scientists, seed Production supervisor, staff of seed certification agencies |
II |
6-10 March 2001 |
30 |
AW Seed production personnel, public and private sector |
|
III |
27-31 March 2001 |
30 |
Seed agency personnel |
|
2. Training on hybrid rice technology |
I |
1-3 March 2001 |
23 |
Extension workers of provincial Departments of Agriculture |
II |
17-19 March 2001 |
22 |
Farmers |
|
3. Training on hybrid rice cultivation |
I |
20-21 March 2001 |
34 |
Farmers |
II |
22-23 March 2001 |
27 |
Scientists, seed production supervisors, staff of SCCA and seed production personnel of public and private sector seed companies |
|
4. Refined course on hybrid |
I |
23 July-August 2001 |
16 |
Hybrid rice breeders, RSF staff and Breeder from PT-BISI |
5. Training on hybrid rice breeding |
I |
26 July-4 August 2001 |
9 |
Officials and farmers from Tegalgondo, Central Java. |
6. Training on hybrid rice cultivation |
I |
7 August 2001 |
21 (m) |
Central Java |
II |
13 August 2001 |
17 (m) |
Puyung , Central Java West Nusatenggara |
|
III |
15 August |
15 (m) |
Malang, East Java |
|
Note: (m) = male, (f) = female. |
||||
Hybrid rice trials were conducted by the DSD and RIR using the hybrids developed by the RIR and those contributed by private seed companies. PT-BISI is the only local company that conducts its own research and development on hybrid rice. PT-Sutowindo and PT-Monsanto are introducing hybrids from India, while Chinese and Japanese hybrids are being introduced and evaluated by PT-Bangun Pusaka and PT-Kondo International, respectively. Under the project, hybrid rice trials were conducted during the wet season 2000/01 and dry season 2001. The trials were monitored by the consultants and DSD and RIR officials. Although the evaluation system needs improvement, useful information has been generated on how to utilize resources effectively and obtain meaningful results, and the project authorities have been requested to conduct combined trials using hybrids from different agencies and companies. Based on the yield data from the wet season and the standing crop during the current season, a number of promising hybrids were identified (Table 2).
The purity of IR 58025 A, which was originally only 10 percent, was considerably improved by paired crossing and by undertaking seed production in strictly isolated plots. The purity of IR 62829 A, which was little better, was further improved. During the wet season 2000/01, about 100 kg of each of the cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines were produced at Sukamandi and the same amount at Muara. Local scientists have been trained to continue the purification process further. The experience in CMS multilocation at Muara was very encouraging. The scientists demonstrated that seed yields of 2.0 kg/ha could be obtained by adopting the appropriate package.
TABLE 2 |
|
Institution |
Hybrid combinations/varieties |
Research Institute for Rice |
IR58025A/IR53942 |
PT-Sutowido |
92089 |
PT-Monsanto |
RH 209 |
PT-Kondo |
MH 2005 (only at specific location) |
Seed production demonstration plots were established at RIR Sukamandi during both seasons, and utilized for training purposes and seed multiplication. The seed yields during the wet season 2000/01 were very low owing to lack of purity. During the dry season 2001, when the purified material was used, the outcome was excellent. At Sukamandi, the CMS lines IR 58025A and IR 62829A were multiplied and about 116 kg and 90 kg of seed were produced, respectively. This seed is now being used for further CMS multiplication and hybrid seed production. Encouraged by these excellent results, breeder's seed of these CMS lines is being taken up in about 1.0 ha each during the current wet season.
Seed production supervisors who attended the training on hybrid seed production at Sukamandi during the wet season 2000/01 were provided with the seed of parental lines for establishing hybrid seed production demonstrations of IR58025A/IR53942 and IR58025A/BR827-35 at their respective locations. During the dry season 2001, seed production demonstrations were organized at 11 locations in the provinces of West Java (3), East Java (3), Central Java (3), Bali (1) and West Nusa Tenggara (1). This exercise proved very effective in encouraging the trainees to put their knowledge into practice. This has helped them become sufficiently confident to take up further seed production on their own. Though there were problems in achieving good synchronization, some centres could obtain a seed yield of about 700-800 kg/ha at the first attempt.
On-farm demonstrations of F1 hybrid cultivation were to be organized as part of the identified activities of the project. In view of the lack of purity of the hybrid seed, these could not be conducted at the scale and in the manner expected. However, taking into account the existing situation, trials with promising hybrids were conducted with plot sizes ranging from 40 to 60 m2 in five provinces. These trials were laid out on farmers' fields and the necessary guidelines on cultivation were provided to the farmers. The varieties usually grown by the farmers were used as checks. This exercise was beneficial in convincing the farmers of the potential advantages of rice hybrids.
Some of the trials were managed extraordinarily well, and the outcome at one of the farmer's fields at Tanjung in West Nusa Tenggara was commendable. In this trial the two hybrids from PT BISI (BPK 002 and BPK 003) registered a yield advantage of more than 2.0 tonnes/ha over that of the best check variety. Their yields ranged between 10 and 11 tonnes/ha. This plot was shown to policy-makers, government officials and farmers. The farmers in this area are showing keen interest in growing hybrid rice and are requesting the hybrid seed.
During the dry season 2001, efforts were made at Sukamandi and Muara Center to produce pure seed of the three identified hybrids, and these efforts have been successful. Enough seed of these hybrids is now available to conduct on-farm demonstrations. Based on the available seed, about 50 on-farm demonstrations comprising three hybrids and farmers' check varieties will be conducted in five provinces during the wet season 2001/02. The area for each hybrid will be about 500 m2. Information and feedback arising from these demonstrations would be most useful in identifying the most promising hybrid and would pave the way for its release for commercial cultivation.
Data from different locations were analysed and field visits were undertaken by the FAO consultants and project staff to select suitable sites for hybrid seed production. After detailed discussions, the following locations were identified for seed production:
Recent experiences have clearly shown that hybrid seed production is not a problem. The dry season appears to be more suitable for hybrid seed production than the wet season. Hybrid seed production on a pilot scale was taken up at the identified locations and most of them have proved well suited to hybrid seed production. This activity has helped considerably in planning seed production on a sustainable basis.
In view of the fact that hybrid rice cannot be spread instantly to all areas, it was necessary to identify the target areas that are suitable for hybrid rice cultivation. Taking into account weather parameters, the extent of irrigated area, present yield levels and prevailing management practices, locations suitable for hybrid rice cultivation were tentatively identified and the list was put before the expert committee for discussions. On the basis of these discussions, the following areas were identified as the focus for initial efforts to introduce rice hybrids:
For the sustainable development of hybrid rice in Indonesia, the present efforts need to be continued more aggressively in a goal-oriented mission mode approach. In view of this, the project developed a medium-term programme for hybrid rice development and use for the country. The medium-term programme document comprising details on background information, objectives, present status, justification, expected outputs, programme strategy, target areas, staff and infrastructure requirements, equipment, training needs and yearly activity milestones was prepared and discussed in a meeting held on 8 March 2001 at RIR, Sukamandi. The programme was further revised and the details were discussed in the second national workshop held on 25 October 2001 in Jakarta. The suggestions made during the workshop were incorporated to make the medium-term programme more comprehensive. This document will be a blueprint for future hybrid rice research and development in Indonesia. It will be a source of information for formulating national as well as externally aided projects to be implemented by the government.
The project has brought about a perceptible change in the country through motivation of all the stakeholders, including policy-makers; the development of human resources; creating awareness and helping the country to move closer to the adoption of hybrid rice technology on a commercial scale. These gains have to be sustained by continued efforts by the government in collaboration with external agencies, including FAO.
The national hybrid rice network has to established, and steering and technical committees should be constituted and made functional. There is a need to strengthen the research base by providing more human resources and infrastructure. As suggested, the evaluation system for hybrids needs to be modified to make it more meaningful and efficient. Packages for hybrid rice cultivation and hybrid seed production have to be optimized as a priority. The country still needs consultancy services on key aspects such as breeding, seed production, technology transfer and impact assessment. Opportunities for study tours and overseas training should be provided for research, seed production and technology transfer rather than for single units, as in the past. A national system for seed production has to be established and a rolling plan for seed production prepared based on the targets.
The next phase requires aggressive efforts with regard to technology transfer and hence the system has to be reoriented to suit these requirements. Seed certification standards have to be finalized and notified at the earliest to ensure quality control. The next phase of the hybrid rice programme needs the full support of policy-makers, who should be involved in the planning activities and regularly monitor progress. Such commitment can help the programme to become successful.
Intensification de la mise au point et de l'utilisation du riz hybride en Indonésie
L'agriculture indonésienne repose sur la culture du riz qui occupe plus de 75 pour cent de la superficie cultivée. Ces dernières années, les rendements du riz ont été stationnaires. A la demande du gouvernement, l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture a soutenu le projet du PCT intitulé «Strenghthening the Development and use of Hybrid Rice in Indonesia» (TCP/INS/8921). Les activités ont été coordonnées par la Direction du développement des semences (DSD), en collaboration avec l'Institut international de recherches sur le riz (IRRI), des exploitations rizicoles spécialisées dans la production de semences et relevant des gouvernements provinciaux, des agences de contrôle et de certification des semences, et des sociétés semencières publiques et privées. Environ 250 personnes ont été formées dans le cadre du projet, dont huit obtenteurs, 80 personnes chargées de la production et de la certification des semences, 55 vulgarisateurs, 20 fonctionnaires de la DSD et du Service d'échange de données économiques (SEED) et 101 agriculteurs.
En outre, trois chercheurs ont bénéficié d'une formation de trois mois en Chine. Le directeur de la DSD et le coordonnateur national du projet se sont rendus en Chine, au Japon et aux Philippines en septembre 2001. Douze combinaisons d'hybrides ont été jugées prometteuses. La pureté des lignées parentales de l'Institut de recherche sur le riz a été fortement améliorée par le personnel du projet et les consultants. Il a été démontré que des rendements de semences de 2 tonnes/ha pourraient être obtenus avec des méthodes appropriées. Après avoir reçu une formation, le personnel, chargé de superviser la production de semences, a reçu des semences de lignées parentales afin de pouvoir introduire une production de semences F1 dans leurs centres. Certains ont obtenu un rendement pour les semences d'environ 700-800 kg/ha. Des démonstrations ont été organisées dans les exploitations avec des hybrides F1, et certaines parcelles expérimentales ont été gérées de manière exceptionnelle. A Tanjung, dans le Nusa Tenggara Ouest par exemple, deux combinaisons d'hybrides ont permis d'accroître les rendements de plus de 2 tonnes/ha par rapport à la meilleure variété de référence. Des lieux appropriés ont été choisis pour la production de semences. Un Programme à moyen terme (2002-2007) (Programme for Hybrid Rice Developement and Use) a été élaboré. Il contient des détails sur les données de base, les objectifs, le statut actuel, la justification, les résultats prévus, la stratégie du programme, les zones cibles, les besoins en personnel, en infrastructure et en équipement, les exigences en matière de formation et les étapes importantes, année par année.
Fomento del desarrollo y la utilización de arroz híbrido en Indonesia
La producción arrocera es la columna vertebral de la agricultura de Indonesia ya que ocupa más del 75 por ciento de la tierra cultivada. En años recientes, los rendimientos del arroz se han ido estancando. A petición del Gobierno, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación patrocinó el proyecto del Programa de cooperación técnica (PCT) sobre el fomento del desarrollo y la utilización de arroz híbrido en Indonesia (Strengthening the Development and Use of Hybrid Rice in Indonesia - TCP/INS/8921). Las actividades del proyecto estuvieron coordinadas por la Dirección de Desarrollo de Semillas (DSD), en colaboración con el Instituto de Investigación sobre el Arroz, las haciendas productoras de semillas de arroz del gobierno provincial, organismos de control y certificación de semillas, y empresas privadas y públicas de semillas. El proyecto dio capacitación a unas 250 personas: 8 fitomejoradores, 80 encargados de producción y certificación de semillas, 55 extensionistas, 20 funcionarios de la DSD y SEED y 101 agricultores.
Además, tres investigadores recibieron capacitación en el empleo durante 3 meses en China. El Director de la DSD y el Coordinador nacional del proyecto visitaron China, Japón y Filipinas en septiembre de 2001. Se determinó que podían ser prometedoras 12 combinaciones de híbridos. El personal y los consultores del proyecto mejoraron considerablemente la pureza de las líneas parentales en el Instituto de investigación sobre el arroz. Se demostró que, con insumos apropiados, podían obtenerse rendimientos de 2,0/ha. Los supervisores de la producción de semillas, después de su formación, recibieron semillas de líneas parentales para el establecimiento de la producción de semillas F1 en sus centros. Algunos centros obtuvieron un rendimiento de unos 700-800 kg/ha. Se organizaron demostraciones prácticas sobre el cultivo de híbridos F1 y algunas pruebas dieron resultados extraordinarios. En Tanjung, Oeste de Nusa Tenggara, por ejemplo, dos combinaciones híbridas registraron una ventaja de rendimientos de > 2,0 toneladas/ha con respecto a la mejor variedad de comparación. Se eligieron lugares adecuados para la producción de semillas híbridas. Se preparó un programa a plazo medio (2002-2007) para el desarrollo y la utilización de arroz híbrido, que incluye detalles sobre información de antecedentes, objetivos, situación actual, justificación, productividad prevista, estrategia de programas, zonas objetivo, necesidades de personal, infraestructura, equipo y capacitación, y prudentes objetivos anuales para las actividades.
