Asia needs biotechnology to boost rice yields: Experts<\/p>\n
MANILA (DPA): Asia needs to turn to such \"cutting-edge science
\nand technology\" as genetic engineering to boost rice production
\nand feed its growing population, scientists attending a rice
\nresearch conference in the Philippines said Sunday.<\/p>\n
With the region's population expected to double by 2025,
\nexperts at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said
\nfarmers need to produce 40 to 50 percent more rice with less
\nland, water, labor and chemicals.<\/p>\n
\"We desperately need cutting-edge science and technology if we
\nare going to be able to continue to successfully address the
\nchallenges of food security and poverty alleviation in the new
\nmillennium,\" said IRRI director general Ronald Cantrell.<\/p>\n
Cantrell said biotechnology is an \"extremely powerful\" tool to
\nincrease rice output in the future, despite strong opposition to
\nthe alteration of genetic structures of such plants as corn, soya
\nand rice worldwide.<\/p>\n
Groups opposed to genetic engineering alleged that the so-
\ncalled \"Frankenstein\" foods are harmful not only to humans but to
\nthe environment.<\/p>\n
But scientists said governments must balance the concerns over
\ngenetically modified rice against growing consumer demand.<\/p>\n
\"I think we should always insist that the world's poor have
\nthe best available technology that science can offer,\" Cantrell
\ntold some 200 scientists and researchers from around the world
\nattending the IRRI's Rice Research Conference in its headquarters
\nin Los Banos town, Laguna province, just south of Manila.<\/p>\n
Asia currently produces and eats more than 90 percent of the
\nworld's rice production, estimated to be 590 million tons.<\/p>\n
Demand for rice in the next 25 years is projected to rise by
\n65 percent in the Philippines, 51 percent in Bangladesh, 46
\npercent in India, 45 percent in Vietnam and 38 percent in
\nIndonesia, according to IRRI.<\/p>\n
\"To meet this challenge of increasing rice production during
\nthe first quarter of the 21st century, scientists must develop
\nrice varieties with higher yield potential, durable resistance to
\ndiseases and insects, and tolerance for abiotic stresses,\" said
\nShaobing Peng, IRRI's crop physiologist and chairman of the
\nconference.<\/p>\n
\"Recent breakthroughs in molecular biology have provided
\ngreater opportunities for rice scientists to develop a new
\ngeneration of rice varieties,\" Peng noted.<\/p>\n
Last year, China tested a genetically modified rice plant,
\nwhich has better resistance to pests and can cut crop losses.
\nChinese farmers may start growing the plant in two years, said
\nGurdev Khush, head of IRRI's plant breeding, genetics and
\nbiochemistry division.<\/p>\n
IRRI and a local research institute, Philrice, has also
\napplied to conduct field tests on the plant in the Philippines,
\nbut its application has not yet been approved by the government,
\nKhush said.<\/p>\n
Despite the promise of biotechnology, Khush said IRRI
\ncontinues to conduct research using conventional breeding methods
\nto develop the so-called \"super rice\" variety, which could boost
\nproduction by up to 50 percent.<\/p>\n
IRRI is the world's leading rice research and training center.
\nIt is part of the Consultative Group on International
\nAgricultural Research, an association of public and private donor
\nagencies that funds 16 international research centers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asia-needs-biotechnology-to-boost-rice-yields-experts-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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