A Report on Monitoring of Field Trials of Autumn Rice Crop, 2015

D. P. Singh Coordinator

Rice Research Station, GRDB, Burma

A Report on Monitoring of Field Trials of Autumn Rice Crop, 2015

D. P. Singh

Coordinator

22 November, 2015

Copyright © Guyana Rice Development Board, 2015. All rights are reserved. GRDB holds the copyright for this publication. However, it can be shared and duplicated for noncommercial

purposes once GRDB is properly cited. For any clarification, please contact the GM of GRDB at nhassan@grdb.gy

Published by GM, GRDB, Georgetown, Guyana

Suggested Citation: Singh, D. P. 2015. A Report on Monitoring of Field Trials of Autumn Rice Crop, 2015, Rice Research Station, GRDB, Burma, Guyana. pp. 1-30.

Rice Research Station, GRDB, Burma, Guyana

Contents

Preface

Executive summary 1-2

Major issues in rice research 3-5

Monitoring of field trials

Plant Breeding 6-8

Seed Production 9-12

Agronomy 13-17

Plant Pathology 18-21

Entomology 22-24

Open field days and Exhibitions 25-28

Recommendations 29-30

Preface Rice recently attained most important food and export crop in Guyana and providing employment to about 100,000 persons. Rice is therefore quite important in buffering the national economy in a situation when dip in gold and crude oil prices is witnessed worldwide. The entire coastal belt of Guyana is suitable for rice cultivation. The two rainy seasons and plenty of water, sunlight and enough fertile land coupled with suitable temperature makes Guyana perfect for rice production. Rice-Rice cropping system is followed in a year with almost nil green manuring or short duration legume crop in between two rice crops. Guyana has two drier seasons after harvests of rice crop and these are used for field preparations to the new crop which is sown on onset of rains. Direct seeded rice is practiced and level of mechanization is high. Paddy production has witnessed phenomenal increase in Guyana and currently touching 1,017,741 metric tons (MT) thus yielding 661,532 MT of rice during 2015 year according to estimations on 1 November, 2015. Major chunk of it, weighing 437,448 MT has been exported to as many as 39 countries. It only became possible due to untiring efforts and timely decisions taken by rice farmers, policy planners, management, researchers, extension staff, millers and exporters.

During the present era of information technology and fast moving research, it is important that research at Rice Research Station, Burma is more relevant to the needs of rice farmers. It may be achieved with proper planning and to be more focused and by prioritization. Research is no more conducted for the sake of doing research but to generate robust technologies which are easy to adopt and economic to rice growers and are eco friendly in nature. The new technologies are used to generate wealth which in turns pays dividends to different stakeholders in rice industry. Research is therefore subject to review and auditing at regular intervals worldwide to keep it relevant and responsive, keeping in view of limited finance and trained human resources. There is no room for complacency in rice research in Guyana.

Monitoring of field trials and green house experiments is an important activity for ensuring proper implementation of technical programme. It is to assess the details of experiments like proper sowing plan, experimental design, meaningful treatments including check, uniform recording of data etc. for meaningful results and drawing proper conclusions within a given time period of a trial. Rice Research Station (RRS) of GRDB, Burma has the mandate to generate new crop protection and production technologies for increasing the rice yields at reduced cost of production and in eco-friendly manner for the benefit of rice farmers and other stakeholders.

It was my pleasure to monitor the field and green house trials during October-November, 2015 at RRS Burma. The report compiled is based on the information received from different research teams and my own observations. The recommendations given are for refining the trials in future. The support received from management, Chief Scientist, Researchers and Technical Officers of different research teams in conducting this exercise is duly acknowledged.

D. P. Singh Coordinator

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Executive Summary Rice Research Station, Burma is benefited with the well qualified scientific personnel and technical officers during recent years. The level of expectations of rice farmers and stakeholders from research teams is therefore further increased. More and more field problems are witnessed in recent years in rice cultivation due to increased area and climate change which is the result of both change in weather pattern and international grain trade. Rice is major agri commodity for trade in Guyana and therefore issues of phytosanitory, pesticide residues, storage pests are becoming important in business besides grain quality.

The reduced selling prices, high input costs, problems of excessive or low rains during crop season, severe attack of insect pests and diseases coupled with high infestation of notorious weeds like ‘red or wild rice’, new biotypes of blast disease and other pests, lodging of high yielding popular varieties, deteriorating seed, soil and water quality, lack of knowledge of newer technologies to farmers etc. have emerged as new challenge new challenges besides, breeding for export quality rice.

The research trials were critically monitored, discussions were held with research teams and relevance of expected research results to resolve the problems of rice growers was analyzed. Good progress was witnessed in the areas of crop improvement, creating new genetic diversity in rice, seed production, and management of ‘red rice’ in seed production fields besides successful conduct of farmers’ exhibitions and open field days at RRS Burma during Autumn 2015. The field experiments were planted well in Entomology but lacking sufficient insect pest infestation. The field and green house experiments in Plant Pathology were conducted but escaped proper disease pressure. The field experiments in Agronomy were conducted but lacking scientific layout and were predominated by private sector contract research on nutrients. The major recommendations for reprioritization and repositioning of programmes are:

1. Conduct of field and green house trials in approved scientific design to enable statistical analysis and meaningful interpretation of data for conclusive results within time frame.

2. Initiation of seed technology wing at RRS Burma to address seed certification programme and proper labeling of seed packets for ensuring seed quality to farmers. Grant of one time revolving fund ($10-20 millions) to Seed In charge to facilitate timely action and further adding in to amount as sale of seed. The part of profit (10%) may be shared amongst team members of seed and administrative staff involved as incentive for achieving targets and ensuring better seed quality.

3. Use of farmers’ participatory approach to planning research experiments and varietal selection.

4. Evaluation of host resistance against diseases and insect pests as well as chemical control experiments under artificially inoculated conditions and artificially created epiphytotics at hot spot locations. Use of wide spectrum of biotypes of plant pathogens

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like blast, brown spots and sheath blight in field and green house. Use of infector lines at regular intervals in generation advancement block to aid in selection of resistant lines.

5. Conduct of experiments to generate basic information on weeds, insect pests and diseases.

6. To develop policy for conduct on ‘contract research’ experiment related to chemicals, biofertilizers etc. of private sector.

7. Handing over of charge of audio visual facilities, digital photo lab, museum, conduct of exhibition, open field days, press briefings, conduct of field visits and trainings of farmers etc. to Extension wing of RRS Burma for facilitating researchers to devote more time and energy in research and seed production. The head of the station may give high lights of new technologies evolved from RRS Burma during these meeting for the benefit of farmers and researchers may answer the questions of farmers. The technologies evolved may be demonstrated by researchers in the front fields of RRS Burma for the visits of farmers.

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Major Researchable Issues Plant Breeding

• Breeding for higher grain yield, better elasticity in new varieties to yield more

consistently in different regions and over seasons to address adversities in weather.

• High quality suiting for meeting the preferences of consumers locally and to those of

importing countries.

• Special rice varieties for minimizing the deficiencies of Zinc and Iron, protein and

low glycemic index for diabetic population.

• Good degree of host resistance to biotic stresses to minimize use of chemicals and

their residues, keeping in view of export of paddy and rice and meeting

phytosanitory standards.

• ‘Farmers’ participatory’ approach in plant breeding and varietal selection.

• Revised guidelines, format and committee to identify and release of varieties

proposed by breeders. The committee may have members from wide areas of

stakeholders and a representative breeder from sister institute. The released variety

may be notified in an official gazette of government. Likewise an old variety may be

de notified.

• Maintenance breeding may be strengthened to keep seed of released varieties pure.

• Rice gene bank may be initiated urgently and passport data of genotypes may be

maintained in computer safely for future use.

• Pre breeding for creation of more genetic diversity in rice may be initiated at RRS

Burma to help developing locally bred rice varieties.

Seeds

• Major strengthening of rice seed sector may be done without further delay and a

dedicated seed technologist supported by farm manager, seed plant engineer and

seed marketing staff, may be made in charge of seed programme.

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• A revolving fund of $ 10-20 millions may be given to seed programme and it may be

given more autonomy with greater responsibility to farmers for doing seed related

operations, certification, processing, testing, labeling, scientific storage and profit

oriented marketing of seed. The money thus added may be added to revolving fund

and 10-15% of it may be shared by team responsible in seed chain including those

involved in administration as incentive of hard work and ensuring increase in profit.

• Improved seed production technology aiming to increase seed multiplication ratio

and production of quality seeds may be developed.

• Seed testing and certification may be initiated without further delay.

• Training of seed growers in quality seed production may be planned in

collaboration with Extension and research programme.

• The targeted seed replacement rate (25-30%), using seeds of newly released high

yielding varieties may be achieved in next three years. It may easily give a

productivity jump of 10-15% in rice without spending extra on other inputs.

Agronomy

• Integrated weed management with special reference to ‘red rice’.

• Integrated nutrient management, testing and suggested improvement in ‘6P’

practice developed at FLAR and being promoted by Extension programme.

• Agronomy of newly released rice varieties.

• ‘Conservation agriculture’ for cleaner environment, improving soil health and

reducing cost of rice production.

• Narrowing yield gaps between farmers’ fields and potent yield of varieties obtained.

Plant Pathology

• Proper evaluation of status of host resistance in yield trial entries, parental lines and

breeding populations by using wider diversity of major pathogens present in

Guyana, under artificially inoculated conditions and hot spot locations.

• Identification and sharing of confirmed sources of resistance to diseases with rice

breeders.

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• Detection, maintenance and use of pathogenic variability. Disease survey and

surveillance.

• ‘Pest Risk Analysis’ and ‘field certification’ in association with National Plant

Protection Organization, for satisfying the particular requirements a rice/paddy

importing particular country for example Mexico.

• Integrated disease management

Entomology

• Integrated insect pests management with special reference to paddy bug.

• Evaluation of host resistance and identification of good sources of insect pests

resistance which may be used in breeding for resistance.

• Strategic deployment of varieties in problematic areas of insect pests attack.

• Safe technology for effective pest management in paddy and rice meant for export.

• Research on ‘Pest risk analysis’ in collaboration with NPPO.

• Generation of basic information on major insect pests.

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Plant Breeding Plant breeding is the backbone of rice research in Guyana. Already it generated very good interest in stakeholders and keeping it going is of high importance for rice industry. An improved variety is the best technology which is most easily adopted by farmers and investment in needed in this discipline on regular basis since plant breeding is continuous and long term process. Guyana has already taken edges over other CARICOM countries in terms of developing good varieties of rice at regular intervals. Following report on monitoring of research trials in Plant Breeding is submitted:

The plant breeding yield trials, Advanced Yield Trial (AYT) and Observation Yield Trial (OYT) were visited on 28 Sep. 2015 along with two technical staff of Plant Breeding department.

Advanced Yield Trial (AYT)

The trial was planted in replicated manner by taking two recently released varieties as check. One of them was GRDB 10. The trial looked quite good with proper plant population and uniformity in inter culture operations. The red rice was removed manually and was not present. Proper layout, design and labeling were followed.

Observation Yield Nursery (OYN)

It is initial trial and acts as feeder trial to Preliminary Yield Trial (PYT)

• The trial has about 60 entries with three checks (GRDB 10, GRDB 12 and GRDB 14) for comparison. Some of the new entries were showing promise over checks.

• The trial was in one replication only. • The checks were repeated in each block of about ten entries. • The randomization of check varieties was defective and may be rectifies in future.

Special observation trial (SOT) for scented / jasmine varieties

The trial looked good having new jasmine/ aromatic rice entries and GRDB 13 (Maria’s delight) and GRDB 10 as released check.

Segregating block

Visited segregating populations and generation advancing plots on 23 October, 2015 and witnessed good variability in segregating population in terms of lodging, panicle size, number of spikelets and number of grains per spikelet.

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Suggestions for improving field trials

• The display boards in trials need to be made proper using computer and photo printing on plastic sheet which may be pasted on boards.

• The trial may be kept bit drier to facilitate visit of representatives of farmers in selecting right kind of varieties on field day. It is to introduce Farmers’ Participatory Varietal Selection.

View of yield trials and nurseries

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Diversity in the rice line sheen in generation advancement and selection block

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Seed Production Ensuring proper seed security in rice has direct bearing on production and productivity as

well as cost of cultivation. A robust seed production, certification and distribution

programme is therefore the key of success for reaping the early dividends of new varieties.

Visited seed production and breeding fields along with Rice Breeder and Chief Scientist, Dr.

Mahendra Persaud in the forenoon of 11 Sep. 2015.

Seed Production plots: The seed production plots of GRDB 14, GRDB 10 and other

improved varieties looked quite uniform and free from red rice. The rouging of off types

was being done scientifically in presence of technical officers and concerned scientist. The

fallow fields were seen to which were used to allow red rice to germinate followed by deep

ploughing as an integrated weed control practice for red rice.

Fallow fields used at RRS Burma to allow germination of red rice and drooped rice seeds for seed production plots for management of red rice and off types

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Rouging of off types in seed production plots

Seed production plots of GRDB 14 looked quite promising and uniform

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Most popular variety GRDB 10 in Guyana having upright flag leaf with folding leaf habit during hotter and drier days: quite promising plant type for high yields and

stress tolerance

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Seed processing

The seed processing unit was also visited and plant was in operation. However bags lacked important information needed for seed.

Seed processing site

Suggestion for improving seed programme

• The concerned breeder was advised to keep digital photos of seed plots at different

stages as proof of successful red rice management for future use.

• All seed plots may be certified by a team of breeders, agronomists, seed technologist

and plant pathologists which may be from other sister institutes like NAREI, GSA, UG

etc.

• The label for seed passport data may be stretched with bag.

• The seed storage may be improved to avoid excess moisture and high heat.

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Agronomy Good agronomic practices are urgency of time in rice industry in Guyana both in grain and

seed production. It may result in lowering the cost of production, efficient use of inputs,

better grain and seed quality, improved soil health, reduced consumption of fossil fuel and

effective weed management. The next jump in rice productivity and narrowing the gap of

potent yield and yields at farmers’ fields may be possible mainly using new Agronomic

practices in Guyana

I visited the field trials of Agronomy along with Ms. Henry Miranda, Technical staff of

Agronomy on 18 Sep. 2015 forenoon after getting consent from Chief Scientist. The HOD

(Agronomy) and Mr. T. English (Technical Officer) were out of station to Berbice Expo, on

the day. In total, there were four field trials. Out of these, three were on the fertilizers/

growth nutrients, doses and their application and one on dates of sowing.

Following observations were recorded:

1. The field trials were mainly to test the products (growth promoters, foliar fertilizers

etc.) of private sector.

2. The experimental design of all four agronomy experiments was not scientifically

proper and therefore may not give quality data and difficult to draw meaningful

conclusions and recommendations. The treatments applied were not in proper

experimental design and were not replicated to reduce the field variations and

experimental errors. The check in trial number two was not kept. It is suggested that

in future the field trials must be planted in proper layout to analyze data statistically

and draw meaningful results.

3. The red rice rouging was not uniformly done in all treatments of trials.

Suggestions for improving field experiments

• The statistical design may be followed in laying the field trials.

• The Agronomy programme is quite important in present context in Guyana and

suggested to be re casted and repositioned. It may better work on issues like

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integrated red rice management, conservation agriculture, diversification of

cropping system, green manuring, yield maximization, agronomy of new

varieties etc.

• High red rice (5-20%) infestation in farmers’ fields in Mahicony region was

recorded currently, which may further affects the paddy prices negatively. The

experiments may be initiated for management of red rice in seed and

commercial crop without further delay.

• The cow dung/FYM treatments taken may be given low preference, keeping in

view of applicability of such findings in rice and lack of high volumes of cow

manure in Guyana.

• The date of sowing experiment must be relooked keeping in view of practical

adoption of recommendations by farmers. Too late planting is of little practical

use and may not be adopted by farmers and may need more water and

resources.

• The internal quarantine measures for further spread of red rice in non infested

regions and areas may be worked out in Guyana.

• The consultancy projects (private companies etc) need to be discussed

thoroughly and numbers and time period may be minimized, keeping in view of

limited resources at the research station and use of these resources for

addressing other burning issues which are affecting farmers and other

stakeholders.

• Any fertilizer treatment not giving promising results (5-10% increase in yield

and income over current practice) needs to be terminated after two crop season.

• The recommendations of Agronomy may be harmonized with currently

practiced “6P’ recommendations of FLAR and necessary corrections may be

made suiting local conditions.

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Fertilizers/Nutrients trials

Nutrient trial (Foliar application) Date of sowing trial

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High red rice infestation in a plot near Agronomy block

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Quite high infestation of red rice in farmers’ field in Mahicony area

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Plant Pathology The management of rice diseases is quite important and diseases like blast, brown spots,

and sheath blight may pose a serious threat in rice in Guyana keeping in view of very high

acreage under one variety (GRDB10) and adoption of only few varieties by farmers. It may

give uniformity in genetic material of rice and promote mutation in pathotypes of

pathogens of blast and other diseases. Under favorable weather conditions, the new

pathotypes thus developed or introduced from neighbouring countries may devastate the

crop. The Plant Pathology programme therefore is quite important in keeping vigil on new

diseases and pathotypes through regular survey and surveillances, detection of pathogenic

variability present in Guyana, maintenance and use of these in evaluation of host

resistance, identification of resistant genetic stocks and sharing of these with rice breeders,

developing technology for mass production of inocula of pathogens, inoculation and

creating artificial disease epiphytotics in field for evaluation of status of resistance in new

entries in breeding trials, providing data on resistance level to breeder for helping in

promotion of entries in yield trials and release of varieties, use of bioagents, botanicals and

integrated disease management technology in rice.

I visited Plant pathological trials of RRS Burma on 23 October, 2015 along with Technical

Officer of Plant Pathology since Mr. Rajendra Persaud (Rice Pathologist) was out of station.

Following observations were recorded:

• In total there was one trial on “Evaluation of new yield trial (AYT, IYT) entries

against sheath blight under net house conditions. This trial was also conducted in

field besides in net house. I was informed that entries planted in net house were

inoculated with inoculums of sheath blight pathogen once and enough moisture was

kept in the plot to favour disease development.

• All entries including check were almost free indicating lack of proper disease

pressure on test entries in both green house and in field conditions.

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• The main reason may be due to lack of virulent culture used for inoculation, lack of

repeated inoculation and comparatively dry conditions prevailed in later half of

crop season.

• The second experiment was on “Chemical control of major diseases using foliar

spays and seed treatment”. There were three varieties including ‘Rustic’.

• Trial was not planted in proper experimental design therefore results are difficult

to analyze statistically and meaningful conclusions cannot be drawn.

• The third experiment was on evaluation of yield trial entries against four major

diseases (blast, sheath blight, brown leaf spots and food rot). The trial was

conducted in natural conditions and no artificial inoculations were done. Only traces

of brown spot were only visible and rest of the diseases could not develop.

• The entries therefore may not be evaluation for these diseases in absence of enough

disease pressure and trial may be considered fail to achieve its objectives in current

season.

Suggestions for improving field trials

• Keeping in view of disease escape under natural conditions at RRS Burma it will be

better to search new hot spot locations and possible collaboration may be

established with SNRI ADRON, Nickerei, Suriname to screen material which is

known for high incidence of diseases like brown leaf spots, blast, sheath rot etc.

• Also pathologist may work more to refine the technology for mass production of

inocula of pathogens and its pathotypes and create artificial epiphytotics of diseases.

• The checks for each disease may be identified and glasshouses with thermo and

humidity control may be erected.

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Evaluation of rice yield trial entries against sheath blight in net house at RRS Burma

Evaluation of status of host resistance against diseases in rice

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Evaluation of fungicides against major diseases of rice

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Entomology Insect pests are quite important in rice both in crop production and storage. These may

cause severe damages in yields and quality of seed and grain and deteriorate rice quality in

storage. The insect pests are also casing problems in rice export and even non acceptance

of rice consignments in some countries like Chile, USA and Mexico. The lack of proper

resistance to insect pests in rice varieties, conducive weather and micro environment of

crop, two crop seasons of rice (Rice-Rice cropping system) and overdependence of farmers

on insecticides to manage insect pests making Entomology research quite important for

rice industry in Guyana.

The visit to field trials of Entomology division of RRS Burma along with Dr (Ms.) Vivianne

Baharally HOD was done on 28 Sep. 2015 (Monday) forenoon.

• The general look of the field and crop stand was good. The trials were planted in

replicated manner by following experimental design. The general red rice

management in trials was quite good and was manually removed.

• The objective of this trial was to identify better and safer insecticide for pest control

in rice. It had 8 test insecticides which were applied as pre sowing seed dresser in

two doses as well as foliar sprays in three doses. The unsprayed plots were kept

check along with one check of recommended insecticide, for comparison.

• This is second crop season of this experiment. A new trial will be planted in next

crop season by taking new set of insecticides.

• The infestation of paddy bug and other insects was not up to the level expected to

test insecticides during current crop season.

• The concerned scientist is intending to take up large plot trial at farmers’ field by

taking two most promising insecticides during next crop season, in collaboration

with Extension staff.

• The field trial on evaluation of new rice entries of yield trials against paddy bug was

having about 97 entries of yield trials of rice. These were planted in single

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replication of one row. These were for screening again paddy bug and to assess their

level of tolerance.

• The infestation of paddy bug was very low and therefore entries could have escaped

damage and therefore screening was not conclusive.

• The most susceptible check entry was not planted after every 20 entries and around

boarders of screening experiment to facilitate built up of infestation and

comparison.

Suggestions for future

• The built up of high infestation level in a pest is an outcome of presence of enough

insect population at right stage of rice, degree of susceptibility of host and

favourable environment. Any escape or low infestation amounts to failure of trials in

Entomology and no conclusion may be drawn. It is therefore important that

screening of entries against paddy bug may be done under net house conditions by

releasing enough and reared paddy bugs at proper stage of crop for ensuring good

damage to enable to evaluate entries.

• The chemical control trial may have data on economics of treatments and residue

analysis in soil, plant and rice grains for protecting interests of farmers, consumers

and reduce environmental pollution.

• A module for ‘integrated pest management’ may be formulated based on past

findings and may be tested to reduce the cost and doses of chemicals, low residue

and protection off environment keeping in view of export of Guyana rice. Different

components like cultural practices, varieties, date of sowing, bio control agents, and

botanicals may be tested.

• The chemical control trial may be replicated at other hot spot locations, besides RRS

Burma.

• The import of paddy bug resistant genotypes of rice may be explored for testing in

Guyana and their uses in breeding for insect resistance.

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Field view of Entomology Evaluation against paddy bug

Visit to experiment on chemical control of pests

Looking for paddy bug in experiment

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Open field day and Exhibitions I visited Berbice Expo in afternoon and looked the stalls of GRDB and other agriculture

institutions, agro chemicals, spices and agri investment agencies etc. Also attended the field

day at RRS Burma on 7 October, 2015 at RRS Burma in which about 150 farmers, students,

professionals and entrepreneurs were present besides, Hon. Minister of Agriculture,

Permanent Secretary (MOA), Chairman and members of GRDB board as well as staff of RRS

Burma. The field visits were organized for visitors and experiments were explained and

questions posed were answered suitably by scientists and technical officers associated to a

particular programme.

Great interest of farmers and students was seen in breeding trials and exhibits. The private

sector exhibits on farm implements, machinery, seeds, growth promoters, fertilizers,

pesticides etc) participation was a very good example of public private partnership in rice

industry. The cooked rice products and diversified rice products attracted attention of

visitors in exhibits. It was unique opportunity to visitors to get all the research and private

sectors including export and gasification demonstrations in exhibition at one place.

Staff of GRDB at Berbice Expo on 18th Sep. 2015

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Demonstration of newer crop varieties, technologies by researchers and private sectors at RRS Burma

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Visitors looking and interacting at exhibits at RRS Burma

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Assembly of farmers, Hon. MOA, Board members and GRDB staff in auditorium of

RRS Burma

Suggestions for future

• The technologies available for farmers may be told by head of the station and scientists may answer the questions of farmers.

• The participation of farmers may be increased in planning of field research, seed production and section of right type of rice variety.

• The conduct of ‘field days’, exhibitions etc may be handed over to Extension Programme and researchers may interact with farmers.

• The ‘seed day’ may be organized for sale and promotion of seed of newly released varieties before sowing,

• The gathering of farmers at RRS Burma may be given a wider media coverage. • More private sector participation may be encouraged. • The gathering of farmers may be more gender sensitive. • The demonstration of new implements, conservation technology etc may be done.

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Overall Recommendations The overall progress of research and seed production is predominated by breeding

programme. The pace of development of new crop production and protection technologies

from other programmes like Agronomy, Crop Protection and Seed Technology is quite slow

and presently Extension programme is promoting adopted research technology ‘6P’ of

FLAR. The conduct of experimental trials therefore, needs improvement and trials are often

prolonged due to lack of serious efforts on parts of researchers. It is resulting delays and

excess spending in generating technologies. The private sector (Contract research) is

dominated in Agronomy. Keeping in view of deployment of highly qualified scientists in

different programmes in recent years, it is expected that rate of success of experimentation

will improve and priorities may be redefined using farmers’ participatory approach. More

interface meeting between research, extension and seed programme are needed. Following

broad recommendations are given which may be followed in coming crop seasons for

making RRS Burma more vibrant, efficient and responsible for tackling problems of

farmers in timely manner:

1. The station may have strong wings of research, extension and seeds headed by

experienced and qualified scientists.

2. The conduct of field days, seed days, exhibitions, museum, media management and

briefing etc may be handed over to Extension Programme.

3. Likewise seed production except basic seed and maintenance breeding may be

handed over to Seed Programme.

4. The seed Technology lab may be established on priority at RRS Burma and seed sold

must have all seed passport certificate on seed bag.

5. The field experiments have to be designed in consultation with statistician and have

to be planted in valid statistical design.

6. The experiments may be replicated in other locations in major rice growing regions

and testing centres may be strengthened.

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7. The technical programme of work need to be prepared well in time for next crop

season and results obtained should be statistically analyzed, tabulated in the form of

technical report of season.

8. The All Guyana Coordinated Rice Improvement Programme may be initiated at an

early date and entries of pre coordinated (Station trial and OYN) and coordinated

yield trials (PYT, AYT) need to be tested in other programmes (Agronomy,

Entomology and Plant Pathology) for facilitating promotion of these entries in yield

trials as well as for release proposals.

9. The PYT may be replicated and have two locations to get better G x E effect.

10. The breeding material may be shuttled to other environment for proper expression

of genes and meaningful selections.

11. Keeping in view of emerging problems of important pests like paddy bug, red rice,

brown leaf spots etc. the chief scientist was advised to constitute a teach of technical

/ scientific/ extension personnel to regularly monitor the crop at farmers’ fields in

different rice growing regions and compile the information in the form of rice crop

health newsletter on fortnightly or monthly basis in time bound manner and

disseminating it to different stakeholders, agencies and policy planners including

pasting on GRDB web page. The use of IT tools may be used extensively for this

purpose. The experts may educate the farmers during the season on the timely

management of these menaces using radio, TV, GRDB web site and newspapers.

12. The publication of technical reports may be time bound and at regular intervals for

identification of new technologies on rice production. So far only 2011-12 report is

published and reports of 2012-13 and 2013-14 are pending.

13. The seed production. Seed testing and Contract research (Chemicals, fertilizers)

with private sector may be debated and formalized for generating revenue to RRS/

GRDB and paying some dividends to those involved in these exercises.

14. The Farmers’ participatory approach with gender sensitivity may be followed in

research and seed production.

15. The scientists may be encouraged to submit projects for funding from external

agencies and such project leaders may be given more autonomy in using such

funding.