IRRI boosts rice output

IRRI boosts rice output

MANILA (AFP): The declining productivity of Asia's intensively
irrigated rice fields could be reversed by using new nutrient
management techniques, the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) said Wednesday.

IRRI said its "site-specific integrated, nutrient management
approach", applied in 207 farms in China, India, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, had increased rice yields in
many of the areas.

In the first year, yields rose from an average 5.17 tons per
hectare to 5.74 tons, with about 25 percent of the farms enjoying
yields of six tons per hectare, the Philippine-based institute
said in a statement.

In the second year, at least 40 percent of the farms were
posting yields of six tons per hectare despite the effects of the
El Nio weather phenomenon.