BGI Group reposted this
As the year ends, I remember to update about the privilege I had to lead an African Delegation of Scientists to China for #PerenialRice. As crazy as it may sound on the surface, yes the Chinese have perfected the art and science of perennial rice technology. The basic idea is very simple though. It is the learning from grasses that grow continuously due to underground rhizomes. Many who had doubted about perennial rice had an opportunity to taste, touch, smell, see it. The varieties area product of interspecific crosses between Oryza longistaminata and O. sativa. It was developed after 25 years of exploration by #BGI, #LongPingHitech and #WuhanUniversity among other partners to achieve stable yields over multiple harvests across several years. The farmer does not have to buy seeds, raise seedlings, plough and harrow the field, or transplant every season. #NARO in Uganda is the first African NARS to release and register a commercial perennial rice variety. The big question for me is the #SeedSystems. Does the field have to be certified every season? How does a seed company sustain the business if the farmer buys the seed once and does not come back for years? How prepared are we (in Africa) for Integrated soil fertility and fertilizer management, integrated pest (weed, insect pests, disease) management on perennial rice fields? The more I think about this technology, the more I get fascinated with even more possibilities like other perennial cereals, legumes, vegetables, etc in a resilient agrifood systems production. International Rice Research Institute, BGI Group,LongPing High-Tech, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Agricultural Research Organisation - NARO Jimmy Lamo
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I doubt this is perennial and is generally practised. Ratooning of rice has, however, been traditionally practised in some parts of China for max 2 seasons.This has always yielded less but better than no crop. Is there any breakthrough that has been achived in breeding ratoon rice?
The seed company may sustain business through end point royalties on the varieties. Farmers declare the yield and pay an amount for the seed and ongoing research. This model is very successful in Australia.
An impressive technology, but with many questions. In Sahelian countries, I doubt that this technology can be adapted to rainfed and lowland ecologies. Even though irrigation is partially controlled in some lowland areas, the water resources available during the off-season don't meet the needs of rice, and alternative crops to rice (such as potatoes and sweet potatoes) contribute significantly to the income of smallholder farmers.
Well presented CHRIS I led the team that released that first ever perennial rice in the African continent. We now have a rigorous improvement plan involving Ugandan wild rice and other sources especially China. Indeed it is a game changer technology!
A very noble technology. We need to promote such in Africa for enhanced food security and resilience. The seed companies can diversify into food production and related industries
Very interested 👌
Good insight!
Great achievement Jimmy Lamo
Interesting and insightful
Breeder at HyVeg
2dDear Chris Ojiewo I have my own doubt, 1. is it possible that after ratooning Rice , yield levels are the same, 2. If so what amount of Insecticide, Fungicide, and Fertilizer need to be put to take a reasonable yield., still with the knowledge I have on Rice I can't agree.🙏