Bhola Man Singh Basnet
The theme of this year’s 17th National Rice Day and Transplanting Festival is “Increase Rice Production for Self-sufficiency and Prosperity”. Rice is the predominant cereal crop in South Asia and Nepal. As per the estimate of FY 2019/2020, paddy crops were grown in 14, 59,000 hectares of land with the yield of 55, 50,000 metric tons. Productivity was 3.804 ton/ha. There is less possibility of bringing more lands into rice cultivation. Therefore, we have to increase productivity per hectare by the use of knowledge, science, technology and innovative farming. Promising rice varieties plus successful technologies generated by agriculture research play important role.
Rice varieties
Nepal has so far released 91 rice varieties (except hybrid) with full package of practices within the span of 54 years. The coverage of improved rice varieties in Nepal is 97 per cent. Some of the popular rice varieties include Radha-4, Radha-12, Sabitri, Hardinath-1, Sukkadhan 3, Chaite-5 (Terai), Khumal-4, Khumal-11, Chainung-242 (mid-hills) and Chandannath-3, Lekali 1, Lekali 3 (for high-hills). Nepal has the highest altitude farm (9,000-10,000ft) in the world (Chhumchaur, Jumla) where rice is cultivated. Modern varieties of rice can give good yield only when recommended packages are practiced. Quality seeds alone can increase 15 to 20 per cent yield. Seed selection can be done by following specific gravity principle. Early paddy and Boro (winter) rice can be used for increasing rice yield by utilising the higher intensity of solar radiation.
The system of rice intensification (SRI) is the other agronomic manipulation which can increase rice yield. The plant growth regulators (PGRs) can also be used for increasing rice productivity. However, we should not forget environmental and sustainability issues while increasing the productivity and production. That’s why these days we say “Evergreen Revolution” and not “Green Revolution” only.
This author had played an important role in declaring the 15th of Asadh in Nepali calendar every year as the “National Rice Day” by the government. This year, the 17th National Rice Day and Transplanting Festival fall on Monday, June 29. Because of good performance of Nepal during the International Year of Rice 2004, the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in its Rice Today journal had featured an article mentioning “Year Achieves High-Profile in Nepal “.
In FY 2018-2019, Nepal had produced record high rice yield of 56, 10,000 metric tons. There is more than 50 per cent contribution of rice in total food in this country. Rice security is food security in Nepal. The national economy depends on rice production itself. Rice is one of the most important cereal crops in Nepal. Not only is rice a key source of food, it is also a major employer and source of income for the poor. The world faces food crisis because of urbanisation, crop diversification, fallow land, low investment in agricultural research, climate change, and conversion of food crops like maize into bio-fuels. China has banned such conversion.
Rice is a staple food for more than 50 per cent of the world’s population (3.5 billion). Over 90 per cent rice is produced and consumed in Asian countries. China and India produce about 50 per cent of the Asia’s rice production. Present global rice production is about 509 million tons. In 2007-2008, there was global food crisis but the global financial crisis that emerged a few months later eclipsed the food crisis. The United Nations had declared 2004, as the “International Year of Rice” with the theme “Rice is Life”. Nepal government in 2004 declared to mark 15th day of Asar as the National Rice Day every year.
As there is less possibility of bringing more lands into rice production, we have to increase the productivity per hectare per day by the successful technological interventions. It is said that there should be “research push and market pull”. Rice seeds can be selected on the principle of specific gravity. Early paddy and Boro rice can be used for increasing rice yield by utilising stronger sun light especially after flowering.
Had yield remained at its pre-green revolution (1966-1967) level of 1.9 tons/ha, current production would have required more than double the current rice land area and 50 per cent of the forest areas would have been reduced. In theory, three to five thousand litres of water are needed to produce one kilogram of paddy. Drought tolerant rice varieties with less water consumption like Sukkhadhan 1, Sukkhadhan 2, Sukkhadhan 3, Sukkhadhan 4, Sukkhadhan 5, Sukkhadhan 6 (both for drought and submerged conditions) are already recommended for drought conditions while Swarna Sub1, Sambha Mansuli Sub1 and Ciherang Sub1 are good for submerged conditions. Agronomical manipulations are needed to combat global warming. For example, rice seedlings raised in dry land can tolerate drought as compared to those grown in wet nursery.
Food security
The food security, nutrition security, profitability and sustainability are the major issues at present and future agriculture. Considering global food issues plus increased food prices, it is advisable for the Nepal government to form a high level national food security mission involving field experienced experts with concrete plan of action. There is a need of fixed priority and assured budgetary allocation so as to cope with burning problem of food grains in the country. Food self-sufficiency is the urgent demand of present time. If Nepal is not self-reliant in food grains, a situation may come whereby we cannot buy rice even if we have money in our pockets. We should not depend on others for food supply.
(The author is a senior rice expert who worked at Nepal Agricultural Research Council.)
– The Rising Nepal
