USA – Rice farmers learn latest on disease
LSU AgCenter scientists held a field tour at the Rice Research Station recently to discuss their work on controlling the major diseases that afflict rice.
Vietnam – Rising sea levels mean trouble for Vietnam’s rice farmers
It’s mid-season here in Soc Trang Province, Vietnam. The fields are full, and under an easy monsoon wind, the crop rolls like massive emerald sheets.
Israel – Netafim: Drip irrigation can increase rice yields, reduce greenhouse gas emissions
In conjunction with the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Netafim has long been studying rice crops in India.
USA – U.S. rice farmers see opportunity in China
Until a few years ago, no one would have considered exporting much rice to China, but that’s changing.
India – ‘Focus on aromatic rice will boost India’s exports’
India should focus on production of indigenous aromatic rice varieties so that export avenues open up, an expert with the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said.
Philippines – Phl now Asia’s fastest rice producer
The Philippines registered the biggest improvement in rice production in Asia, according to recent world market data.
Plastic from rice waste? A biodegradable option
Researchers claim to have developed an inexpensive and eco-friendly bio-plastic that degrades at a more acceptable rate, compared to traditional plastics. The plastic, they say, is made from vegetable waste and the byproducts of rice and cocoa production, meaning that it will place no new demand on the Earth as well.
India – NDA’s BREI programme set to increase rice production in north-east
The NDA government is taking ahead the Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI) a programme that is aimed at increasing rice production in the eastern part of the country.
Thailand – Rice for a better life
One of the biggest projects in Thailand is Farmers’ Friend, which is part of the Big Trees project. It has an agreement with the Yasothon Organic Farmers’ Cooperative under Earth Net Foundation to buy its rice.
Dawn of a new era in rice improvement
Compiled by Gene Hettel from GigaScience articles and additional interviews
RT13 3Dawn 2
Traditional rice varieties encompass a huge range of potentially valuable genes. These can be used to develop superior varieties for farmers to take part in the uphill battle of feeding an ever-increasing world population (estimated to reach 9.6 billion by 2050).