Past achievements and future opportunities in the development and dissemination of hybrid rice technology in Asia

Hybrid rice technology aims to increase the yield potential of rice beyond the level of semidwarf high-yielding rice varieties by developing and using F1 rice hybrids which manifest hybrid vigor for various agronomic traits. The technology has already been used extremely in China, where about 50% the total rice area is covered with hundreds of rice hybrids that yield, on average, 15 t ha-1 higher than inbred high-yielding varieties (5.5 t ha-1). Outside China, IRRI has taken the lead since 1979 in developing and dissiminating this technology in collaboration with China and selected national programs and internatinal organizations (FAO and APSA). Since 1998, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided financial support through two regional technical assistance(RETA) projects to IRRI to expedite the development and dissemination of hybrid rice technology in selected member countries. IRRIs role in the development of tropical rice hybrids and the associated seed production and agronomic management guidelines is highlighted in this paper. The salient of the IRRI-ADB projects (RETA 5766 and RETA 6005)are also included. The efferts have contributed significantly toward strengthening the national capacity of several countries. In 2004, about 1.4 million ha was covered with hybrid rice varieties in India, Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Myanmar, producing an estimated 1.7 million t of extra paddy (worth $255 million). This was achieved through the participation of about 75 public, private, and NGO-based seed industries in the production, processing, and marketing of hybrid rice. This has generated additional rural employment oppurtunities. Future opputunities exist for further improvements in yield potential, grain quality, and disease and insect resistance in rice hybrids and improvement of seed yields to reduce seed cost. The prospects of developing and using hybrid rice for some moderately unfavorable rice ecosystems are also real. For faster development and dissemination of this technology, natinal hybrid rice missions or commercialization programs need to be established in coordination with research and extension institutions and the seed industry operating in these countries. The national governments also need to provide full policy and financial support to the technology missions. Only then will hybrid rice make the desired contributions to increased food security, production efficiency, farmers' income, and rural job creation.