Improved rice for uplands, lowlands and inbetween. 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.
Summary for Project titles: R6748: Participatory Crop Improvement in High Potential Production Systems in India and Nepal and R7542: Participatory crop improvement in high potential production systems - piloting sustainable adoption of new technologies.
Thousands of farmers in Nepal now have a choice of rice varieties to suit their particular needs, whether they farm in the uplands, lowlands or on the slopes in between. In conventional plantbreeding, new varieties developed on experimental stations can take up to 18 years to become widely used. This means that varieties suitable for a range of climates, environments and purposes just aren't available. Now that farmers are involved, the process of improving varieties is much quicker. Plus farmers' choices give them not only higher yields but other qualities they value— perhaps good quality straw, grain that cooks well, drought tolerance, or early ripening so as to allow a follow-on cash crop. Thousands of farmers are already growing the improved rice varieties and they have major potential to improve livelihoods.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (20 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
PSP02, 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 30.