Adaptation Technologies

Transcription

1 Adaptation Technologies Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Climate Resilient Rice Varieties In April 2014, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) organized a workshop to raise awareness, share experiences, and provide capacity building training to 15 Asian partner countries on climate change adaptation technologies and their application. This workshop was one of the activities set up by the UNEP/Asian Development Bank (ADB) Asia-Pacific Pilot Climate Technology Network and Finance Centre (CTNFC). The presentation on rice varieties was given by Golam Rabbani, Bangladesh Centre of Advanced Studies. Workshop participants visited the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) on a field visit. BRRI has released more than 65 modern rice varieties including salt- and drought- varieties Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) was established in 1970 with the aim of ensuring grain food security in Bangladesh. BRRI has nine regional stations and 18 research divisions. The research strategy is need-based, problem-oriented, applied and adaptive. Research areas include varietal development, pest management and rice farming systems. Introduction and 1-3 Barriers/Challenges and 4 Stakeholders Moving Forward 5 A BRRI scientist explains the process of rice fertilization (left)

2 Introduction and BRRI has released more than 65 modern varieties including different varieties for the different seasons of the year. Salt varieties include 47 which can tolerate 6-8 d/s per metre of salt in the Boro season. 52 can yield t/ha even when submerged up to two weeks. This is beneficial because over 2 million hectares are prone to flash floods and this will increase with sea level rise. Finally, the drought rice, BRRI dhan 56 can tolerate drought at the reproductive stages (see table below). Sources: Huq and Rabbani, 2011 Type of Climate Tolerance Salt Flash flood Drought Variety Name Benefits/Tolerance Can tolerate 6-8 d/s per metre of salt in the Boro season Can yield 4-4.6t/ha even when submerged for up to 2 weeks Can tolerate drought at the reproductive stages Growing Season Growth Days Boro Aman Average Yield (Ton/Ha) 4.5 Aman Sources: BRRI, 2014a; and Huq and Rabbani,

3 the natural the genetic diversity of rice for future generations, so that more rice varieties can be developed that are resilient to future climate change. The use of advanced technologies such as molecular markers can vastly reduce the time it takes to develop new varieties, from 14 years to only 8 years. Molecular biology allows precise breeding to take place, by tracing genes to select the plant and speed up the process. The scientists at BRRI are also working on a transgenic variety that contains Beta Carotene (Vitamin A) which would improve nutrition. The production of nutrient-rich varieties can reduce nutrient deficiencies, for example, the newly released zinc-enriched T. Aman variety 62 (released in 2013) and zincenriched Boro variety BRRIdhan28 (BRRI, 2014a). Iron and zinc together account for severe nutritional disorders in Bangladesh including stunting growth. BRRI is also preserving the germplasm from across the country (8000 varieties) in a gene bank, including wild relatives. There is long-term storage of seeds for up to 100 years, and short-term storage for up to 10 years. This will help to preserve Different cropping patterns for saline ecosystems have also been evaluated. For example, the cropping pattern of 47 fallow BR23 under which it has been calculated that the gross margin is Tk/ha which is around 700 USD/ha (BRRI, 2014a). BRRI has also developed a Rice Crop Manager tool (available online) and results have shown the average benefit of using this tool is 156 USD/ha (BRRI, 2014a). The economics of integrated rice-fish culture has also been evaluated. Research has also been done on use of irrigation and resistance to rice insect pests. It has been found that the Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) will become a serious pest under climate change in both the T. Aman and Boro season, but mahogany oil and neem oil have both shown efficacy in dealing with this pest (BRRI, 2014a). Source: Huq and Rabbani,

4 Barriers and Challenges Barriers/ Challenges New rice varieties include aromatic rice (premium quality) called Banglamati rice, which produces double the yield of Basmati rice; however, due to IPR issues, there may be a challenge in entering the international market. The issue is due to the action of a US company which tried to patent the word basmati leading it to be exclusively claimed by India and Pakistan. New pests and diseases pose a major threat to rice production. Research by BRRI has identified 32 rice diseases, 10 of which are major diseases, which are emerging as a threat in Bangladesh. They have recommended control measures for 20 major pests. Lack of information and awareness, as well as lack of access to equipment, new seeds or tools are barriers to maintaining rice production under climate change. Future challenges include reduction in net cultivable land and population increase. If there is not enough land, it is proposed that Bangladesh can export high-value rice and import food. Several BRRI rice varieties are also being used abroad there are 19 varieties in 14 countries including India, Nepal and Myanmar. Key Stakeholders Other BRRI activities include the distribution of over 100 tons of seeds. Dissemination of varieties at the local level occurs mainly through the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), as well as some collaboration with NGOs and private sector companies. According to BRRI, farmers have adopted BRRI varieties in 80% of the total rice production areas. Several BRRI rice varieties are also being used abroad there are 19 varieties in 14 countries including India, Nepal and Myanmar. There is a participatory variety selection process involving local farmers. For example, 40 and 41 (saline varieties) were both evaluated in Patuakhali in farmers fields under different nitrogen management practices, including the use of urea, fertilizer, and integrated nutrient management (BRRI, 2014a). 4

5 Moving Forward While many different varieties have been developed, there is a need for these varieties to reach a wider segment of the population. In some areas, farmers seek improved varieties but they do not have access to them. Improving food security under climate change will mean increasing awareness of improved varieties, as well as crop and pest management methods. traditional products (including rice varieties) from foreign claimants. International and regional collaboration on rice varieties could enhance the benefits for all countries. For example, countries may be able to share highquality germplasm in future. Such collaborations have already taken place, such as the transfer of CMS (Cytoplasmic male sterility) lines from China. References Huq, S., and Rabbani, G., Adaptation technologies in agriculture: The economics of ricefarming technology in climatevulnerable areas of Bangladesh. In Technologies for Adaptation: Perspectives and Practical Experiences. Edited by Christiansen, L., Olhoff, A., Traerup, S., UNEP Riso Centre, November ISBN: Available at: daptation_perspectivesexperience s.pdf BRRI, BRRI at a glance. BRRI, 2014a. BRRI Research Highlights ries/allpdf/research_highlight_ pdf There may also be a need to tackle international trade barriers and market highquality rice varieties like Banglamati in order to increase the economic benefits for Bangladesh. The country s Geographical Indication Law was enacted in November 2013 and provides the opportunity to protect national and Scientists at BRRI explain the benefits of using advanced technologies which can shorten the breeding process from 14 to 8 years