Utilizing hybrid rice technology for a globally competitive rice industry
2003
Toledo, R.S. | Casal, C.L. Jr | Nas, T.M. | Sanchez, D. | Sta. Cruz, T.G. | Virmani, S.S. (International Rice Research Inst., Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines)
Hybrid rice technology developed at IRRI offers an important option in increasing rice varietal yields and income in farmers' field. Hybrid rice research programs in different national agricultural research and extension systems in the tropics have been established thru collaboration with IRRI. These have resulted in the development and release of some twenty-five hybrids, so far, which yield about 15-20% more than the best conventionally-bred varieties available in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. An economic analysis shows hybrid rice cultivation to be more cost-effective than inbred rice. In the Philippines, the IRRI-bred Mestizo hybrid has been the foundation of the government's Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program. The associated hybrid seed production technology package has demonstrated a return on investment (ROI) of up to P3.66 for every P1.00. Being labor-intensive it also creates additional employment through the seed industry. At present, fifty-eight public and private seed companies, NGOs and cooperative are involved in hybrid rice research and seed production in Asia, of which eight are operating in the Philippines. From 6,000 ha planted to hybrid rice in 2001, the area grow to about 40,000 hectares by the time of the 2002 wet season planting. This has helped increase farmers' profitability. The technology should make hybrid rice production more cost effective in the globally-competitive rice industry and has the potential to increase rural employment opportunities and spare rice land for diversified farming
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