Rice research in the DFID RNRRS programmes. Lessons learnt and implications for future research
Abstract
This study documents lessons from research on rice-based production systems that was funded by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) through its Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) which spanned an eleven year period from 1995-2006. The report considers both the research process and the development and uptake of research outputs and discusses the implications of the findings for future research programmes. It highlights the importance of rice as a food crop and for income and employment generation in developing countries. The global demand for rice continues to increase rapidly, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) which imports a large proportion of its rice from the United States of America and Asia.
Continuing increases in both production and productivity will be needed to meet this growing demand. The main constraints to increased production in the rice sector are a shortage of water and arable land; pests, diseases, and weeds; the availability of suitable varieties for diverse environments (including low potential areas); rising production costs, low quality of locally processed rice in SSA, and inefficient markets for inputs and produce.
This study focuses on research conducted since 2001 by the Crop Post-Harvest, Crop Protection, Natural Resources Systems and Plant Sciences programmes.
Citation
Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, UK, 64 pp.
Links