A REGIONAL STRATEGY OF SUSTAINABLE HYBRID RICE DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA

AND THE PACIFIC

Outline for discussions at the Expert Consultation Meeting on “Hybrid Rice Development in Asia: Assessment of Limitations and

Potential“, 2 - 3 July 2014, Bangkok, Thailand

Bui Ba Bong, FAORAP

S. No. Content1 Overview of rice production in Asia and the Pacific

1.1 Status of rice production 1.2 Challenges1.3 Future opportunities2 Overview of hybrid rice production in Asia and the Pacific

2.1 Status of hybrid rice production 2.2 Constraints2.3 Future opportunities3 Regional strategy of sustainable hybrid rice development in Asia and

the Pacific3.1 Vision3.2 Key strategic objectives3. 3 Thematic strategies and options

Table of Contents

Region

Area (M ha)

Yield (t/ha)

Production (M tons)

2012 Increase from 2001

2012 Increase from 2001

2012 Increase from 2001

Asia 145.3 8.8 4.48 0.50 651.6 107.7

World 163.2 11.2 4.41 0.48 719.7 122.2

Present status of rice production in Asia and the Pacific

In 2001-2012, in Asia:oRice area increased 0.8 million ha per year (0.57% per year)oYield increased 45.4 kg/ha per year (1.08% per year)oProduction increased 9.8 million tons per year (1.66% per year)

Based on FAOSTAT

Area (million ha) of irrigated rice, rainfed lowland rice and upland rice and their percentage of total rice area

Challenges of rice production in Asia and the Pacific

oExisting prevalence of hunger and poverty: 600 million in poverty and 500 million in hunger and malnutrition. Among the poor, rice farmers are predominated. oPopulation continues increasing (from 4.3 million in 2013 to 4.9 million in 2030)oEnvironmental degradation occurred in most rice ecosystemsoGlobal climate change affects rice production (extremes events, raised sea water level, increased temperature, …), and rice cultivation contributes to increased global warming (methane and NO2 emissions, …)

Challenges of rice production in Asia and the Pacific(cont.)

oFour “reductions” in:1. Rice productivity growth (around 1% per year at

present period compared to 2% in the early green revolution era);

2. Rice area due to economy transformation 3. Water resources (competition by other sector, climate

change)4. Labor for rice farming due to change labor profile in

rural areas (aging farmers, shortage of skilled labor)oChange in diet requirement (more demand of high quality rice)oPrice of rice affected by other unpredictable factors

Annual growth rate (%) of rice area, yield and production in Asia in 1971-1991 and 1991-2011

(Based on FAOSTAT)

Future opportunities of rice production in Asia and the Pacific (cont.)

oDrive of increase rice production/supply to meet increased demand of populationoHunger and poverty reduction is still on top of development agenda of the world and in each country (Zero Hunger Challenge advocated by UN)oThe world commitment to tackle the problems of global climate change (Climate Smart Agriculture advocated by UN) oNew technologies (biotechnology, ICT. …) provides opportunities to increase rice productivity and to help produce more with less (inputs and labor) oRice transformation facilitates modernization of rice production, reduction of postharvest loss and improvement of rice value chain.oTrends of promoting global rice trade

FAO formulated A Regional Rice Strategy for sustainable food security in Asia and the Pacific with Vision:

Food-secure, better nourished and prosperous rice farmers and consumers in the Asia/Pacific region who benefit equitably from a vibrant, innovative and transformed rice sector that is more productive, efficient and environmentally sustainable by 2030.(FAORAP, 2014)

Present status of hybrid rice production in Asia and the Pacific

oTotal hybrid rice area: 20 million ha oIncreased rice productivity (averaged 15-20%) and increased rice production facilitating the conversion of the rice land to other agricultural and non agricultural activitiesoIncreased incomes of rice farmers growing HR and HR seed growers as farmersoGenerated additional rural labor involving HR seed production

Hybrid rice development in Asia: Achievements - Area and Yield (2012/2013)

Total Asia: 20 M ha – China: 15.5 M ha – Outside China: 4.5 M ha

Country

HR area (M ha)

% HR area to total rice

area

Yield of HR (t/ha)

% increase in yield over

inbreds

CHINA 15.5 51 7 30

INDIA 2.5 5.7 6-7 24-36

BANGLADESH 0.67 5.65 6-7 15-30

PAKISTAN 0.2 7.4 5 15-20

VIETNAM 0.6 8.2 6-7 10-20

INDONESIA 0.6 4.5 6-7 15

PHILIPPINES 0.155 3.26 6 50

MYANMAR 0.08

Hybrid rice development in Asia: Achievements -Chinese example

oAverage yield is 30 percent higher than inbred riceoIncreased production 608 million tons (1976-2008) to support China feeding an extra 60 million people every year oConverting 5 million ha of rice land for other purposes thanks to increased rice productionoCreating more than 0.1 million direct job positions and 10 million indirect job positions

Source: Li et al., 2009

Super Hybrid Varieties in China

Yield target in 2006-2015: 13.5 t/ha In 2011: •Super HR variety Y Liangyou 2 reached 13.9 t/ha •HR Yongyou 12 was over 13.65 t/ha

Y Liangyou No. 2, the super hybrid rice variety yielding 13.9 t/ha at Longhui, Hunan in 2011 Photo of L. P. Yuan

The 7.2 ha-demonstrative location yielding 13.9 t/ha at Longhui, Hunan in 2011Photo of L. P. Yuan

Constraints of hybrid rice development: Technology

Reduction in adoption rate in recent years (except India)

CountryHR area to total rice area (%)

2010* 2013**

CHINA 51.8 51.0

INDIA 4.6 5.7

BANGLADESH 6.8 5.6

VIETNAM 10.0 8.2

INDONESIA 4.9 4.5

PHILIPPINES 4.6 3.2

* Dada from Spielman et al. (2012) ** Compiled from different authors

INDIA

Hyb

rid ri

ce a

rea

(ha)

PHILIPPINES

BANGLADESH

Trends of HR area, yield and production in some countries

Constraints of hybrid rice development: Technology (cont.)

Limitation of hybrid varietiesoStagnant and inconsistent yields of HR varieties:, low heterosis magnitudeoHR varieties lack other desirable traits to suit to local conditions in term of:

- grain quality- growth duration- tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses (narrow genetic diversity of male

sterile sources resulted in more susceptibility to pests like BPH, WBPH, BLB, SB…) - ecosystem adaptability (rainfed conditions)

oMany hybrids released but very few hybrids are superior. Lack of desirable japonica hybridsoSignificant improvement of inbred varieties (yield and quality, pest resistance, abiotic tolerance,…)

Constraints of hybrid rice development: Technology (cont.)

Limitations of HR seed production and supplyo Lack of suitable land specialized for hybrid seed production.o Low seed yields due to low outcrossing capability of parents, lack of skilled workers/seed growers, low purity of parental seeds, improper techniques (for example, to synchronize flowering of parents), fluctuation in temperature /rainfall affecting outcrossingo Lack of facilities for seed processing and storageo Domestic production is not sufficient and import dependence.o High seed costoSeed quality problems

Hybrid rice seed yield, seed cost and import (2012/2013)

Country

Hybrid seed yield (t/ha)

Hybrid seed cost

(USD/kg)*

% hybrid seed imported in total hybrid

seed use

Hybrid seed export

CHINA 3.0-5.0 2.0 0 Yes

INDIA 1.5-2.0 2.7-3.9 0 Yes

BANGLADESH 1.3 15 No

PAKISTAN - 8.0 100 No

VIETNAM 2.0-4.0 3.0-5.0 85 No

INDONESIA 1.5-3.0 80 Yes

PHILIPPINES 1.0 - 1.5 6.5 50 Yes

MYANMAR

* Averaged cost of certified seed is about 0.6 USD/kg

Constraints of hybrid rice development: Technology (cont.)

Limitations of grain qualityoPoor grain quality compared to inbred varietiesoNot suited to consumers preference: (for example, low amylose HR in Bangladesh, chalkiness in China, bold grains in Vietnam…) oProcessing preference: low head rice recoveryoNot suited to market demand (more demand of high quality rice, aromatic rice, japonica type,…)Limitations in cultural practicesoImproper crop management required for HR, particularly nutrient and pest management oLarge yield gap between demonstration yields and farmers’ yield of HR oCultivation of HR rice requires additional external inputsoRice ecosystem degradation

Constraints of hybrid rice development: Socioeconomics

oLow paddy price but high input price (rice farmers are not encouraged to invest in rice farming)oLow market price of HR as compared to normal rice

- Poor quality, lack of product brands- Low profits of HR farmers

oFarmers tendency to use their own seeds (seed availability)oLabor profile in the countryside change (high labor cost, labor shortage)oFarmers’ poverty resulted in low response to intensive technologies

Constraints of hybrid rice development: Policy

oIn adequate investment for:- Research and Extension for HR development- Human resources capability building (Education and

Training)- Infrastructure for rice production (irrigation, mechanization,

post harvest…)

oLack of supportive mechanisms for: - Mobilization of private sector and all stakeholders involved- Public and private partnership (Week private sector

participation and public-private partnership) - Encouragement of domestic seed production - Facilitation of technology transfer and germplasm exchange among countries

Constraints of hybrid rice development: Policy (cont.)

oInconstant and inefficient subsidy leading to unsustainable adoption of HR; different level of subsidy by local government within a country

oDifferent treatment between notified HR varieties (Public) and truthfully labelled hybrids from private sector (Indian case)

oLack of consistent and long term HR program

Future opportunities of hybrid rice development

oRequirement of food security and self-sufficiency in rice

oRice export opportunity

oProgress in technology innovations - Application of biotechnology in HR breeding

- Super hybrids

- Two-line hybrids

- Hybrids for rainfed ecosystems

- Improvement in grain quality; aromatic hybrids

- Seed yield improvement

oIncreased trends in public-private partnership (PPP)

oIncreased support to IPR – plant breeder rightFuture

Vision of sustainable hybrid rice development in Asia and the Pacific

The Strategy’s vision for sustainable hybrid rice

development in Asia towards 2030 is for a

significant increase of rice productivity and quality

to support ensuring food and nutrition security of

the region, and for benefits of rice farmers,

consumers and business sector, and environment

protection

Key strategy objectives

1.To achieve both higher yield and suitable grain quality for contributing to (a) food and nutrition security (b) rice self-sufficiency or export enhancement and (c) economy transformation

2.To ensure sustainable intensification production addressing the needs of saving external inputs and natural resources, protecting environment and adapting to climate change

3.To bring about benefits for all stakeholders in hybrid rice sector

4.Expansion of adoption targets including both irrigated and rainfed ecosystems

Thematic strategies and options

1. Improvement HR varieties to adapt to local rice production systems and climatic change2. Improvement of HR seed chain to satisfy hybrid seed demand and reduce hybrid seed cost-Seed production, certification and quality control - Seed marketing and trade 3. Optimized crop management practices for HR production to achieve “more yield with less inputs and natural resources exploitation”4. Strengthening extension and outreach for effective technology transfer to farmers

Thematic strategies and options (cont.)

5. Capacity building at commune level (including support to small householders, women and young farmers) 6. Impact analysis of HR rice adoption and technological/policy interventions (environment, climate change, farmers. income, consumers’ preference, etc.)7. Public - private sector partnership (technology development and investment)8. National coordination mechanisms and international cooperation to support sustainable HR development 9. National policy options

(1) Improvement HR varieties to adapt to local rice production systems and climatic change

(a) Breeding approaches

oBroadening genetic diversity of male sterility sources and parents

oExploitation of inter specific hybrids (indica x japonica, indica x javanica)

oStrengthening research for development of 2 line hybrids

oExploitation of novel biological technologies in HR breeding (genomics, marker-aided selection, heterosis prediction, etc.)

oLong term research for C4 hybrids, apomixis

(1) Improvement HR varieties to adapt to local rice production systems and climatic change (cont.)

(b) Development of HR varietieso Easy to produce hybrid F1 seed (parents with high outcrossing) o Yield stabilityo Suitable qualityo Suitable growth duration o Suitable for different rice ecosystems (irrigated/rainfed)o Abiotic stress tolerance (drought, submergence, salinity, coldness, heat)o Disease and insect pest resistance (BPH, WBPH, BLB, SB, RTV,…)(c) HR varieties testing, release and transfer to productiono Strengthening national HR variety testing programso Intensive demonstrations and training farmers to cultivate new HR varieties

(2) Improvement of HR seed chain to satisfy hybrid seed demand and reduce hybrid seed cost

Seed production, certification and quality control

oEncouragement of domestic HR seed production (availability of

suitable land for seed production, organization of seed growers,

Insurance for seed growers)

oIncrease of F1 seed yield and parental seed yields

- High purity of parental seeds

- Parents possessing high outcrossing capability

- Optimized seed production technologies (critical synchronization of flowering in parents)

(2) Improvement of HR seed chain to satisfy hybrid seed demand and reduce hybrid seed cost (cont.)Seed production, certification and quality control (cont.)

oMechanization in seed production

oInfrastructure for drying, processing, storage, quality control, packaging

oImproving seed certification and quality control

Seed marketing and trade

oPromotion of HR seed use

oReduced cost of female lines seeds to encourage more growers

to venture into F1 seed production

oImproving the supply chain of HR seed market

oControl of counterfeit seeds in trade

(3) Optimized crop management practices for HR production oEstablishment of of integrated practices site-specific and variety specific for each production following “Save and Grow” and “Smart Climate Agriculture” approaches for HR production:

- Efficiency in nutrient management- Ecological approach in pest management- Water-saving technologies- Mechanization- ICT application

oSustainability of the technologies in farmers fieldsoPost harvest modernizationoProduct quality control (food safety)

(4) Strengthening extension and outreach for effective technology transfer to farmers

oIncrease public investment in HR extension and outreach

to transfer HR technology to farmers

oIntensive extension programs at central and local levels

oHuman resource capability building for different level of

extension system

oEncouragement of extension activities done by private

sector and NGOs

(5) Capacity building at commune level (including support to small householders, women and young farmers)

oSupporting small householders to adopt HR technology

oSupport for the formation of HR production cooperatives of small households or communes/cooperatives of HR seed growers (infrastructure development at commune level and farmers’ organization)

oEngaging woman and young farmers in HR seed production or modernization of HR production through training, technology and and credit support.

(6) Impact analysis of HR rice adoption and technological/policy interventions

Comprehensive and scientific analysis of HR impact

should be done periodically by both government and

independent institutions on productivity,

environment, climate change, farmers’ income,

consumers’ preference, etc. to provide options of

technological/policy interventions

(7) Public - private sector partnership: technology development and investment

oSynergy of strengths of public sector (technology generation, germplasm provision), private sector (adaptive research, seed production and supply) and NGOs (technology transfer)

oPromotion of dialogues and information exchange among public and private sectors and NGOs

oEstablishment of partnership investment to develop HR projects in a target areas

(8) National coordination mechanisms and international cooperation

oStrengthening national organization and coordination in HR development oPromotion of regional and international cooperation, through:

- Bilateral and multilateral cooperation among countries, countries with international institutions or private sector, private sector with international institutions - International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER) of IRRI, in exchange of germplasm and breeding materials and testing of new HR varieties- Hybrid Rice Development Consortium coordinated by IRRI- Development of international networking involving FAO, IRRI, APSA and other international/regional and country institutions

(9) National policy optionsoGovernment commitment - Integration of HR in the overall rice sector development and transformation (to become self-sufficiency, export consolidation, safeguard of food security, hunger elimination, poverty reduction etc.). Formulation of National Strategy and PlanoIncrease of public Investment in hybrid rice R & D- Increasing budget for R & D and for strengthening extension system - Improving human resource capability (academic sector, extension workers, seed growers, farmers) - Prioritized investment of infrastructure in target areas of HR production oProviding incentives to attract more investment from private sector; support of HR seed industry, promotion of PPP, protection of IPoOrganization of seed growers and farmers (contract / cooperatives)oPromotion of exchange of technology, information and germplasmoCareful consideration of subsidies on seeds, fertilizers or other inputs