Experts from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay, as well as representatives from FONTAGRO, Global Methane Hub, IICA, and FLAR, met from March 11 to 13 in Chillán, Chile, to share experiences and discuss sustainable rice production and methane emission reductions in Latin America.
According to Karla Cordero, a researcher at the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA by its acronym in Spanish) in Chile and organizer of the event, the main goal was to understand the strategies implemented in participating countries for sustainable rice production, as well as to explore new forms of collaboration for the future. “We were able to learn about different approaches, such as rotations and methane gas measurement with grazing. Additionally, during the field days at the INIA San Carlos and INIA Parral experimental stations, we showcased Chilean rice fields where experiments are carried out with various methodologies, such as dry direct seeding and flooding, pregermination, and the innovative system of rice intensification, or SRI. In the latter, we are measuring methane emissions to assess the impact on emission mitigation and water savings,” emphasized Cordero.
One of the most notable presentations was by Eduardo Graterol, Executive Director of FLAR, who addressed the optimization of genetic improvement and agronomy processes to improve productivity and sustainability in rice cultivation in Latin America.
Jaspe FL INIA: Perfect for the Region
During the field visits, a key figure well-known to FLAR was highlighted: Jaspe FL INIA, the first rice variety developed by FLAR and released by INIA Chile, designed to meet the needs of those producing the southernmost rice in the world. Nearly two years after its release, this variety has proven to be crucial for improving sustainability for Chilean producers.
Karla Cordero explained how Jaspe FL INIA has optimized production under adverse conditions: “This variety has exceptional characteristics for our region. In an environment with a limited sowing window and scarce water availability, this variety fits perfectly, as it reduces the production cycle by almost 30 days, allowing for greater flexibility in sowing, even establishing it in November. This is essential to cope with rainy springs and continue producing high yields, while reducing water usage by up to 50% compared to conventional cultivation,” Cordero highlighted.
The benefits of Jaspe FL INIA were confirmed by producer and businessman Ramón Henríquez: “We have observed that the variety is 15 to 20 days earlier than traditional varieties like Zafiro. This has allowed us to save water, reduce lodging, and obtain a higher quantity of whole grain.”
A Promising Future Through Collaboration
The joint work between FLAR and the Chilean rice sector has not only resulted in the release of an innovative variety but also in the dissemination of technologies and knowledge that strengthen collaboration between public and private sector institutions.
Eduardo Graterol highlighted that the sustainability approach promoted by FLAR is based on process agronomy, which aims to produce more rice with fewer inputs, lower costs, and less environmental impact.
Ramón Henríquez shared his experience with the implementation of new technologies: “We began with the introduction of direct seeding on 50 to 100 hectares and quickly saw the benefits. We used to use the pregermination system, which required between 20 to 24 thousand cubic meters of water per hectare. Now, with direct seeding, we use around 12 thousand cubic meters, representing a 40 to 50% improvement in water efficiency.”
This success story demonstrates how collaboration between FLAR and its members in Chile and other countries in the region has led to significant advances in sustainability and efficiency in rice production, opening new opportunities for the Latin American rice sector.