Boosting lowland rice yields and banishing weeds. Validated RNRRS Output.
Abstract
This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.
Principally based on Projects R7471, R8234 and R8412. New ways to control weeds and plant rice using direct-seeding have great potential to increase rice harvests in Bangladesh. At the moment, one-third of farmers lose half a tonne of rice per hectare because of weeds. Now, a range of cost-effective weed management practices have been validated, which include applying herbicides or using a manual rotary weeder. Yields are the same or better than with normal hand-weeding, but costs are 30-45% less. Direct-seeding has also proved valuable in drought-prone areas. It gives earlier rice harvests, allows farmers to grow a second crop, and reduces outlays on irrigation water and labour. Extensionists and NGOs are already spreading the word, and training manuals, leaflets and posters for pesticide-dealers' stores are available.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (10 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
CPP30, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 34.