Accomplishments and Constraints in Hybrid Rice

Abstract

China is the first country in the world to put hybrid rice to commercial use in 1976 following intensive research initiated in 1964. Encouraged by the developments achieved by China, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) took the initiative in 1979 to explore potentials and problems of developing this technology for countries outside China. In 1980, China also made agreements with private seed companies to transfer hybrid rice technology to the USA and several other countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and northern Africa. Table 6.1 lists countries conducting hybrid rice research in the public and/or private sector.