Sustainable Rice Production

Abstract

Rice is an important staple food for more than half of the world’s population and its demand is expected to increase with increasing population, more so in developing countries mainly Asia. Green revolution technologies transformed agricultural practices resulting into a considerable increase in the productivity of rice in the later part of twentieth century. However, rice agriculture is currently faced with multiple challenges such as declining or stagnant yields, lack of water availability, contamination of natural resources due to excessive use of agrochemicals, biodiversity losses, greenhouse gas emissions and losses due to extreme climatic events. There is a strong need to adapt agricultural practices in order to increase the production of rice in a manner that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

Here I review the technologies that are already available and could contribute significantly towards achievement of this objective. Using modern high throughput technologies, breeders are developing rice varieties, which possess traits for climate resilience along with higher yields. Effective management of limited water resources is of high value e.g. rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and timing of paddy transplantation with the onset of rain can greatly contribute towards sustainability of rice production and a well maintained canal system could reduce seepage losses by 30–40 %. Agronomic practices like laser levelling of fields, dry seeding and alternate wetting drying are known to considerably reduce irrigation water requirement. System of rice intensification is advocated to increase rice yields by 50 % while halving the water requirement and input costs, particularly in resource-poor conditions.

Integrated nutrient management, adjustment of fertilizer dosage, placement and application timings increases nutrient use efficiency while minimising degradation of natural resources through runoff and leaching. Integrated pest management and observation of threshold values could reduce environmental and health costs such as undesired effects on non-target organisms, development of pesticide resistance and residues in the food products along with minimising the input costs. To obtain full benefit from the available technologies, a strong commitment from extension and policy institutions is highly important. Use of modern information technologies for timely communication of information such as weather forecast could assist farmers in decision making for various farming activities.