JST Top > Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development > Projects >

Development and Adoption of Latin American Low-input Rice Production System Through Genetic Improvement and Advanced Field-management Technologies

Bioresources

Republic of Colombia

Terminated

Development and Adoption of Latin American Low-input Rice Production System Through Genetic Improvement and Advanced Field-management Technologies

Establishing Low-input Rice Production Systems for Colombian Rice Farmers

Principal Investigator

- Prof.
  OKADA Kensuke
  Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
- Dr.
  Manabu Ishitani
  Senior Scientist, Agrobiodiversity Research Area, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

ODA Recipient Country

Republic of Colombia

Research Institutions in Japan

The University of Tokyo / Kyushu University / Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology / National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), National Federation of Rice Growers (FEDEARROZ) , etc.

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2013

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Developing resource-efficient field management technologies and new-generation rice varieties for underdeveloped irrigation infrastructure in Colombia
Rice is produced in inefficient irrigation systems in many areas in tropical Latin America, and the efficiency of water and fertilizer utilization is generally low compared to that of Asia. Weed control is also problematic due to the heterogeneity of water depths, which further aggravates the excessive use of herbicides and the decline in productivity. Through this project we utilize deep-rooting genes to develop new Colombian rice varieties that can attain higher yield with lower inputs of water and nutrients. We also adopt precision agriculture approaches with state-of-the-art sensing technologies, and thus address the challenge of developing and adopting new low-input technologies for Latin American rice production.

Efforts in Colombia can contribute to global food security
Progress in the research conducted by this project can boost rice production in Colombia, with the country potentially attaining self-sufficiency in rice. It may lead to a higher employment rate and the steady growth of local agricultural communities, and enable in-country refugees to return to their villages. If other Latin American countries, and perhaps even African countries, were to adopt these new rice cultivars and low-input technologies, the research would contribute to food security on a global scale.