www.irri.

org/irrc/

April 2006, Vol. 1, No. 2 Volume 6, Number 1 January-April 2011

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Irrigated Rice Research Consortium

Rice Research for Intensified Production and Prosperity in Lowland Ecosystems

New books on IRRC research

New books on IRRC research....45

IRRC joins 3rd International Rice Congress................2 IRRC success stories highlighted in 2010 Steering Committee meeting.....3 ADB-IRRI project ramps up to address rice postharvest losses...........6 IRRC joins UNEP and Thai Rice Department in technology delivery and resource efficiency..................7 Farmers happy with increased rice yields.................8 Vietnam recognizes IRRC scientists.............12 IRRI scientists recognized by Indonesian minister...............12

IN THIS ISSUE...

FEATURE Travelogues..........9 PROFILES Step out and reach out.........................10 Dreaming big..................11

RIPPLE

January-April 2011

IRRC joins 3rd International Rice Congress

RRC research and technologies were showcased at the 3rd International Rice Congress (IRC2010) on 9-11 November 2010, in Hanoi, Vietnam, where more than 1,700 top rice scientists, researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives gathered. More than 30 papers and posters were presented by IRRC scientists and collaborators. These were in the fields of postharvest; water availability and access; policy, market, and supply chain; wide-scale adoption of watersaving technologies; pest, disease, and weed management; social and cultural dimensions in rice-farming and communities; information, dissemination, and innovation; and closing the yield gap. At the IRRI booth, demonstrations of the Internet and mobile phone applications of Nutrient Manager for Rice tools and videos were ongoing throughout the day. The IRRC Crop Health Work Group distributed copies of the booklet Field Problems of

Trina Leah Mendoza

Tropical Rice and published articles on crop health and related studies. The Postproduction Work Group highlighted the ongoing Asian Developmenet Bank-IRRI Postharvest Project, the learning alliance approach, and postharvest technologies through posters and a Web site. An IRRI Super bag, an example of hermetic storage used to protect grains and seeds for longer periods of time, was on display. Field wa-

ter tubes made of PVC, bamboo, and softdrink bottles used to monitor water levels in the field in alternate wetting and drying technology were also displayed. Aside from various leaflets, technology fact sheets, and RIPPLE issues, new books titled Research to Impact: Case Studies for Natural Resource Management for Irrigated Rice in Asia (in CD format) and Weeds of Rice in Asia: A Practical Field Guide were given away. The ADB-IRRI Postharvest Project hosted a symposium on public-private partnerships and a roundtable discussion on laser leveling, which gathered stakeholders from various sectors.

Trina Mendoza

IRC participants visit the IRRC booth and sign up to receive electronic copies of the IRRCs newsletter, RIPPLE.

PUBLICATIONS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Chauhan BS, Johnson DE. 2010. Effects of nitrogen on the competitiveness of Echinochloa colona and Amaranthus viridis with directseeded rice. J. Agric. Sci. Tech. 4(2):14-19.

Reddy CS, Laha GS, Prasad MS, Krishnaveni D, Castilla NP, Nelson A, Savary S. 2010. Characterizing multiple linkages between individual diseases, crop health syndromes, germplasm deployment, and rice production situations in Chauhan BS, Johnson DE. 2010. Growth and India. Field Crops Res. 120:241-253. reproduction of junglerice (Echinochloa colona) in response to water stress. Weed Sci. 58:132- Huang SW, Wang L, Liu LM, Tang SQ, Zhu DF, 135. Savary S. 2011. Rice spikelet rot disease in China. 1. Characterization of fungi associated with Chauhan BS, Migo T, Westerman PR, Johnson the disease. Crop Prot. 30:10-19. DE. 2010. Post-dispersal predation of weed seeds in rice fields. Weed Res. 50 (6):553-560. Huang SW, Wang L, Liu LM, Tang SQ, Zhu DF, Savary S. 2011. Rice spikelet rot disease in ChiChauhan BS, Johnson DE. 2010. Weedy rice na. 2. Pathogenicity tests, assessment of the (Oryza sativa). I. Grain characteristics and importance of the disease, and preliminary growth response to competition of weedy rice evaluation of control options. Crop Prot. variants from five Asian countries. Weed Sci. 30:1-9. 58(4):374-380. Stuart AM, Prescott CV, Singleton GR, Joshi RC. Fuentes RG, Baltazar AM, Merca FE, Ismail AM, 2011. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Johnson DE. 2010. Morphological and physio- farmers on rodent pests and their managelogical responses of lowland purple nutsedge ment in the lowlands of the Sierra Madre Biodi(Cyperus rotundus L.) to flooding. AoB Plants versity Corridor, Philippines. Crop Prot. 30: 1472010:plq010, doi:10.1093/aobpla/plq010. 154. 2

International journals

Jacob J, Sudarmaji, Singleton GR, Rahmini, Herawati NA, Brown, PR. 2010. Ecologically based management of rodents in lowland irrigated rice fields in Indonesia. Wildlife Res. 37:418427.

Singh Y, Singh VP, Singh G, Yadav DS, Sinha RKP, Johnson DE, Mortimer AM. 2011. The implications of land preparation, crop establishment method and weed management on rice yield variation in the ricewheat system in the IndoGangetic plains. Field Crops Res. (in press).

Books

Palis FG, Singleton GR, Casimero MC, Hardy B, editors. Research to impact: case studies for natural resource management of irrigated rice in Asia. Los Baos (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 370 p. Singleton GR, Belmain SR, Brown PR, Hardy B, editors. 2010. Rodent outbreaks: ecology and impacts. Los Baos (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 289 p. Caton BP, Mortimer M, Hill JE, Johnson DE. 2010. A practical field guide to weeds of rice in Asia. Second edition. Los Baos (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 118 p.

Grant Singleton

Book chapters

Myo AK, Gummert M. 2010. Public-private partnership: a case study for the introduction of flat-bed dryers through the private sector in Myanmar. In: Palis FG, Singleton GR, Casimero MC, Hardy B, editors. Research to impact: case studies for natural resource

January-April 2011

RIPPLE

IRRC success stories highlighted in 2010 Steering Committee meeting

artners of the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) reviewed key outcomes of the first 2 years of Phase IV during its annual Steering Committee meeting on 12 November 2010 at the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), Hanoi, Vietnam. IRRC coordinator Grant Singleton presented the highlights of 2010 and an overview of performance against logframes. Anthropologist Flor Palis shared the IRRCs accomplishments, progress, and plans in social science research. The meeting provided a forum for cross-country learning among partners. Prior to the SC meeting, the participants attended the International Rice Congress 2010 in Hanoi, where a cross section of the IRRCs work was showcased. Triumphs and trials Success stories were presented by work group (WG) leaders Ruben Lampayan, Roland Buresh, David Johnson, Serge Savary, Martin Gummert, and their collaborators. Doan Ngoc Pha, vice director of the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, shared their progress and plans in implementing the 1 Must Do, 5 Reductions program in Vietnam. Caroline Paul, a student at Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin and col-

Trina Leah Mendoza

laborator of the Water-Saving WG, discussed the adoption processes and impacts of alternate wetting and drying in Bangladesh (see Farmers adopt watersaving technology in RIPPLE, Sep-Dec 2010). The different approaches used in delivering sitespecific nutrient IRRI Program 2 leader Bas Bouman highlights the IRRCs link with the management to Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments in scaling out technologies to farmers were pre- farmers and other end users. Beside him is Carmen Thoennissen, donor representative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. sented by IRRI soil scientist Rowena Castillo (through dent management, while Dr. Savary Web and mobile phone applications) presented key outcomes on crop health and Raymund Ilustre, president of the research. Atlas Fertilizer Corporation in the PhilThe meeting was graced by VAAS ippines. president and former IRRC SC member Anuru Abeysekera, head of the Nguyen Van Bo and Swiss Agency for Plant Protection Division of the Rice Development and Cooperation donor Research and Development Institute representatives Carmen Thoennissen in Sri Lanka, talked about their teams and Liliane Ortega. research and progress in controlling The event concluded with a busiweedy rice. ness meeting among SC members and Success stories in scaling out post- WG leaders to plan for the review of harvest technologies in partner coun- Phase IV, and the next date and venue tries were shared by postharvest con- of the SC meeting, among others. sultants Meas Pyseth (Cambodia) and The IRRCs success stories for 2010 Phan Hieu Hien (Vietnam). were highlighted in the special country Dr. Singleton provided updates of issue of RIPPLE, Sep-Dec 2010. their work on ecologically based ro-

Trina Mendoza

management for irrigated rice in Asia. Los Ba- rials and rice. In: Annual Rice Forum 2009: Reos (Philippines): International Rice Research visiting the organic fertilizer issue in rice. Los Institute. p 247-260. Baos (Philippines): Asia Rice Foundation. p 1733. Witmer G, Singleton G. 2010. Sustained Presentations agriculture: the need to manage rodent Singleton GR, Htwe NM, Brown PR, Newton P. damage. In: Wager FC, editor. Agricultural production. Nova Science Pub2010. Rodents and diseases in Asia links to lishers Inc., New York, USA. p 1-38. extreme weather events. XIIth International Congress of Parasitology, Melbourne, AustraNorton GW, Heong KL, Johnson DE, Savary S. lia, 18 August 2010, abstract no. 379. 2010. Rice pest management: issues and opportunities. In: Pandey S, Byerlee D, Dawe Singleton GR, Htwe NM, Nelson A. 2010. Rodent D, Dobermann A, Mohanty S, Rozelle S, outbreaks following extreme weather events: Hardy B, editors. Rice in the global econocyclone Nargis a case study. 4th international my: strategic research and policy issues for Symposium of Integrative Zoology Biologifood security. Los Baos (Philippines): Inter- cal Consequences of Global Change, Kunming, national Rice Research Institute. p 297-332. China, 5 December 2010. Plenary paper. Buresh RJ, Dobermann A. 2010. Organic mate-

Events

Coordination Unit and Work Groups Final workshop of ACIAR-funded project SMAR/2007/216 Improving Rice Productivity in South and Southeast Sulawesi. Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, 16-18 January 2011. Workshop co-hosted by MAS and IRRI on Adaptation of rice production in Myanmar to Climate Change, Yangon, Myanmar. 17 February 2011

RIPPLE

January-April 2011

New books on IRRC research

The IRRC has now released two books. Both are available in print at the IRRI Riceworld Bookstore.

Rona Nia Mae Rojas

Rodent Outbreaks: Ecology and Impacts

Learn more about the impacts of rodents on people around the world. Look into the depth and scope of how rodent pests have affected various countries in Asia, Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), Europe, Africa, and North America. The book draws on a global scale the lessons from previous outbreaks and the successes and failures of rodent management actions. Sharing and learning from previous experiences of management actions during outbreaks helped develop evidence-based scientific knowledge. Other themes highlighted in the book are the need to focus more strategically on approaches to reduce or prevent crop or conservation impacts caused by rodents rather than on simply killing rodents or reducing population size. Another theme is the need to consider the cultural and social dimensions of both the impacts of rodent outbreaks and proposed management actions. To cap it off, there is something in store for the gastronomically adventurousthe book contains recipes for preparing rat meat. Rodent Outbreaks is co-edited by rodent experts Steve Belmain and Peter Brown, and IRRI science editor Bill Hardy.

Cornelia Garcia

The map shows the areas in Myanmar affected by cyclone Nargis in May 2008, and the number of rats killed in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta region from June to September 2009.

ow do rodents affect peoples lives? And to what extent? Rodent outbreaks have had overwhelming consequenceseconomically, socially, and politically in the areas where they occur. More than 1 billion people suffer chronic hunger, widespread diseases, and severe crop losses that are attributed to rodent pests. Such events throughout history have resulted in an attitude of acceptance and fatalism for some people, particularly rural folks, who seem resigned to the onslaught of rodents. That should not be the case. A new book, titled Rodent Outbreaks: Ecology and Impacts, shows how understanding the ecology and the factors that cause population outbreaks of rodents can help in managing the problem. A central message the book contributors hope to convey is the strong advances that were made in understanding the factors that lead

to outbreaks, providing a modern appraisal to an age-old problem. This is an encouraging progress report driven by scientists passionate about rodents, about people, about conservation, and about improving our knowledge of these species and the ecosystems they inhabit, says IRRC coordinator Grant Singleton, rodent ecology and management expert and one of the books editors.

Much progress has been made in understanding the ecological factors that limit rodent populations in temperate climates, and only recently has this knowledge been focused on rodents in tropical and subtropical countries, where agricultural pest problems are most serious.

Charles J. Krebs, Emeritus Professor, University of British Columbia

January-April 2011 RIPPLE

Research to Impact: Case Studies for Natural Resource Management for Irrigated RIce in Asia
ood security means there should be a continued increase in rice production. If rice productivity increases, it could also bring about a reduction in poverty and hunger, and environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, in the critically important irrigated rice ecosystem, the road toward achieving food security is limited by the shortage of labor, declining water availability, the conversion of prime lands to alternate uses, climate variability and climate change, and environmental issues. This is where agricultural research and extension come in. This new book, titled Research to Impact: Case Studies for Natural Resource Management for Irrigated Rice in Asia, shows how both agricultural research and extension play pivotal roles in improving the lives of farmers and consumers. The 2008 global rice crisis stimulated Asian governments to allocate more funding to rice research and extension to increase the rice supply and achieve rice self-sufficiency for rice-importing countries, and a rice surplus for exporting countries. Research determines rice farming needs and problems in irrigated rice by working closely with farmers and other stakeholdersknown as collaborative research. From research, technologies and good agricultural practices or best practices for natural resource management (NRM) to increase farmers productivity and income are generated. Extension allows the basket of options for NRM technologies to be validated and scaled out. Extension provides the mechanisms by which these NRM technologies can be disseminated for wide-scale adoption by farmers. The impacts of NRM technologies can be determined and achieved only when the end usersrice farmers are practicing them. However, adoption of agricultural technologies has always been a challenge. The adoption of best practices for NRM is an even greater challenge because most

Florencia Palis Rona Nia Mae Rojas

The lives of resource-poor farmers who grow irrigated rice in Asia can no doubt improve if innovative agricultural technologies are tailored to their needs and carried out collectively. Robert S. Zeigler, IRRI Director General
Grant Singleton

Billboards used by the province of An Giang, Vietnam, to promote the Mot Phai, Nam Giam (One Must Do, Five Reductions) campaign. This campaign encourages farmers to reduce seed rate, fertilizer use, pesticide use, postharvest losses, and water use. The one must do is to use certified seeds.

are knowledge-intensive technologies that cater to local adaptation by farmers, and not physical products. This book documents cross-country learning through case studies on the processes and methodologies employed from research toward the achievement of impact by addressing the challenges of generating wider-scale adoption of NRM technologies in lowland irrigated agroecosystems. Highlighted in the book is the participation of farmers during the innovation process of the NRM technologies. The success of research and extension depends also on the multistakeholder partnership within the

rice supply chain, which involves policymakers, local champions (of technology), and public-private partnerships. Participatory monitoring and evaluation activities are viewed as methods to improve and further refine a technology. Through the use of communication channels, farmers perceptions, attitudes, and practices toward a particular technology can be effectively changed. The book is co-edited by agricultural anthropologist Flor Palis, IRRC coordinator and rodent expert Grant Singleton, agronomist Donna Casimero, and IRRI science editor Bill Hardy. 5

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ADB-IRRI project ramps up to address rice postharvest losses

Reianne Quilloy Trina Leah Mendoza

he second phase of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)- and IRRIfunded postharvest project titled Addressing the Pre- and Postharvest Challenges of the Rice Supply Chain was formally launched during the ADB-IRRI Postharvest Project Review and Inception Workshop: Learning Alliance Meeting on 8 November 2010 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The workshop was conducted to review activities from the previous phase and identify the most promising new approaches that have potential for outscaling and transfer to other partner countries. Partners from Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam gave progress reports focusing on the successfully verified postharvest technologies from the first phase of the project titled Bringing About a Sustainable Agronomic Revolution in Rice Production in Asia by Reducing Preventable Pre- and Postharvest Losses. This one-year phase of the project dealt with postharvest technology verification through adaptive research, extension, and capacity-building activities. Hermetic storage systems, combine harvesters, and mechanical dryers were some of the technologies identified that can be rolled on to the next phase of the project, which will focus on the piloting of verified postharvest technologies. Project planning and implementation for Vietnam is divided into five regions and is coordinated by a team led by Dr. Nguyen Le Hung from Nong Lam University. Highlights of 2010 in Vietnam included an interregional training of trainers on postharvest technologies for 52 participants from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and extension staff, and the release of a training manual on postharvest technologies. Regional representatives reported on field visits and demonstrations, training and extension activities, baseline studies on postharvest situations, business model development, and results of adaptive research. Partners from the Red River Delta provinces and Thanh Hoa Province found that the cooking quality of rice stored in hermetic storage was good, and that there 6

was no difference in viscosity and fragrance after 4 months of storage. Results of laser-leveling trials in Thua Thien Hue Province showed a decrease in inputs, particularly in the labor cost for weeding and cost of irrigation water. Dr. Meas Pyseth, postharvest consultant, presented the success stories in Cambodia. After the Project introduced combine harvesters in Cambodia, hundreds of units are now imported and used in the country. Farmers who have improved their granaries through the Projects support were satisfied with the resultsno quantity losses and pest damage, fewer insects, and more aromatic grains. In the Philippines, linkages with the learning alliance partners proved to be vital in achieving more activities such as increased capacity building of partners at their project sites and conducting crosscountry learning on key postharvest technologies. Other successful activities conducted were the parallel and adaptive research, as well as designing of unified key messages on hermetic storage systems, which were all done in the context of a learning alliance. Dr. Caesar Tado, co-project leader in the Philippines, highlighted that the optimized linkages of the project with national programs provided leverage to achieve more with less. Dr. Lourdes Adriano, ADB donor representative, lauded the efforts of the partners while highlighting the challenges

of forging sustainable partnerships, and exploring creative methods on project implementation. Dr. Adriano emphasized the importance of communicating and disseminating the knowledge and technologies from the project. She also posed the challenge of strengthening the market information system so that farmers will gain more benefits from their products and be motivated to produce more. To cap the day, participants visited An Dinh Co, a rice processing company in Hanoi engaged in contract farming to produce a high-quality Sushi rice variety for export to Korea and Japan. The company is a collaborator of the Vietnam Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Postharvest Technology (VIAEP), a regional project partner and host of the workshop. VIAEP provides technical assistance to the company, which has become a constant venue for training and other project activities. Through this field trip, the participants were able to see an existing contract farming business model that can be adapted in their own area. After this workshop, the partners were ready for the kick-off activities in each country. In January 2011, in-country planning meetings and start-up activities were in the pipeline of their work plan, as this piloting phase went into full swing.

Reianne Quilloy

At a project-sponsored symposium, private-sector representative Mark Heyward presents his companys experience in promoting the use of laser-leveling technology in the Asia-Pacific region.

January-April 2011

RIPPLE

IRRC joins UNEP and Thai Rice Department in technology delivery and resource efficiency
UNEP representative Dr. James Lomax (extreme left) discussed resource efficiency in rice production with stakeholders.
Grant Singleton

Rica Joy Flor

cussions on what the IRRC and the RD can do together in the next 3 years. Preparing for resource-efficient rice production A stakeholder workshop for sector representatives from the rice value chain was held on 7 October 2010 to discuss a possible road map to accelerate the adoption of clean and efficient technologies. Around 50 participants representing government agencies, private companies, farmer groups, universities, and associations for millers, exporters, and input suppliers joined the workshop. According to Dr. Bas Bouman of IRRI, the challenge is to mobilize supply chain actors to drive the adoption of improved farming and postharvest practices, forge partnerships, mobilize market forces, introduce price incentives, harness labeling mechanisms, and develop schemes for payment for environmental services. After stimulating discussions, the group came up with several possible road maps to pursue, including the use of good agricultural practices (GAP) as a potential lever.
Bhagirath Chauhan

he world may view Thailand as the lead exporter of rice, where farmers and consumers reap the benefits of excess supply. Yet, experts would see a rice sector that is not without challenges and complexities from production and beyond. This is why the IRRC continues to work with its partners in bringing sustainable natural resource management (NRM) technologies to help Thai rice farmers. The IRRC held two workshops on 6-8 October 2010 with the Rice Department (RD) of Thailand and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). One workshop was on Rice Production Extension and Technology Transfer System Development and Networking for NRM of Irrigated Rice. The other, organized by UNEP, was on Resource Efficiency and Ecosystem Resilience in Thai Rice Production. Planning toward effective delivery of technologies The RD is testing innovative extension mechanisms that would help farmers have access to new technologies and also spread the technologies to more farmers. It has an interest in assessing the results from such trials. Since the RD has teamed up with the IRRC in promoting effective delivery of research products to end users, an exchange of experiences with dissemination pathways was a first step. In the workshop, participants from the IRRC and RD presented the different approaches to validate and spread NRM technologies. They discussed experiences in linking with specific partners,

such as local champions and other nontraditional research and extension stakeholders in Bangladesh and the Philippines. They also discussed various participatory approaches such as the farmer-adaptive research in Indonesia, participatory technology development, the Rice Community Center extension approach, and the farmer-to-farmer extension approach in Thailand. A presentation on research-to-extension in the case of An Giang, Vietnam, was also given. IRRIs experiences in conceptualizing and facilitating the Learning Alliance were also presented. Participants also visited a community where a technology transfer model was piloted by the RD. The cross-country learning and exchange became a basis for further dis-

Dr. Kukiat Soitong (standing, center), rice production promotion expert of the Rice Department of Thailand, discusses the role of the actors involved in the countrys rice value chain with workshop participants.

IRRC now on Facebook

Connect with us on Facebook! Be our friend through irrccu@ gmail.com.

MEA CULPA
On page 6 of the RIPPLE Vol. 5, No. 3, September-December 2010 issue, we attributed the photograph to Ruben Lampayan. It should have been Debjit Roy. Our apologies for the error. 7

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January-April 2011

Farmers happy with increased rice yields

ositive impact where rice farmers achieve higher yields and their households get improved incomes is the goal of the project Improving rice productivity in South and Southeast Sulawesi. Funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), this project has been implemented since 2008. Indonesian partners and IRRI staff gathered in Kendari, SE Sulawesi, on 1619 January to report on the outputs and outcomes of the project. IRRI staff present were Bas Bouman, Grant Singleton, Donna Casimero, Ruben Lampayan, David Johnson, Martin Gummert, and Rica Flor. Frances Barns, ACIAR country manager in Indonesia, represented the donor. Also present were SE Sulawesi Governor representative, Ir. Zuhuri Mahmud, together with the directors of Indonesian Center for Rice Research, Indonesian Center for Food Crops Research and Development, and Assessment Institutes of Agricultural Technologies(AIATs). The farmers who participated reported an increase in their rice productivity by more than 10%. Twenty farmers in South Sulawesi gave positive feedback on the benefits of the project. We are happy. We got 3 tons per hectare in 2008; in 2010, we got 5 tons per hectare, claims one Indonesian farmer. In one instance, another farmer reported more than a 100% increase in rice yield, Two and a half years ago, I had 3.5 tons per hectare. This season, I got 7.3 tons per hectare.

Rica Joy Flor Rona Nia Mae Rojas

In 2010, four treatment villages received a total of 1.8 million rupees more in net returns than farmers in the check villages. Through different adaptive research activities, the IRRC and its partners have worked with A South Sulawesi farmer is interviewed regarding his rice production practices after the project has been implemented in his village for two years. farmers in trying out useful technologies in farmers fields. has and the changes happening at the Training and other capacity-building ac- sites. Posters on rat management and ditivities were done by IRRC staff. Videos, rect seeding can be seen in different areas posters, and other communication ma- in the project villages. Many of the coopterials have been produced and used to erators said that farmers often ask about bring knowledge to more farmers. The good practices for managing their crop end of 2010 was an exciting time to assess and whether these worked for them. One whether indeed farmers gained from cooperator, 73-year-old Pak Sutoyo, said these efforts. that he observed his wet-season yield to AIATs partners in South and South- have increased from 3 tons per hectare to east Sulawesi organized survey teams in 3.5 tons per hectare after using site-speOctober 2010 to interview farmers as part cific nutrient management. Those who of the adoption and impact assessment. attended the farmer field school said that The teams from each province worked they are more familiar with what is going in four villages, two of which are sites on because they monitor their fields more where the project was implemented. Dr. often, and they are confident regarding Casimero and Ms. Flor helped the survey what they have to do (e.g., just because teams during the data gathering. there are insects does not mean they have The 2010 household survey provided to use pesticides immediately). This is a comparison to the baseline survey in some of the feedback that the household 2008. Informal discussions with farmers survey will quantify. Long-term impacts indicated the presence that the project of the project may not be evident as yet, but this activity ensures that those involved in implementing the project think beyond the project and consider the changes it has made in the lives of smallholder farmers in Sulawesi. After the project meeting, Drs. Singleton and Buresh received special awards from the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture His Excellency Min Suswono (read more on page 12). The Minister also officially launched the web application of Nutrient Manager for Rice, with the Bahasa Indonesia name of Pemupukan Hara Spesific Lokasi Padi Sawah. The Nutrient Manager decision tool (http://webapps. irri.org/nm/id) and training materials are A farmer field day was held in Bone, South Sulawesi, as part of the final project meeting. being prepared before the start of the next IRRI scientists Bas Bouman and Grant Singleton joined Hon. Idris Galigo SH, political head of Bone, in a harvest festival. rice-growing season in March.

Rica Flor

Rica Flor

January-April 2011

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FEATURE

Travelogues
ogy and management and a lecture on Fertility control of rodents in Australia and Southeast Asiarecent and current approaches were given by Dr. Singleton as a visiting scholar to Huazhong Normal University in Wuhan. He also presented a seminar on Natural resource management in lowland rice agroecosystems in Southeast Asia at the College of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Wuhan University. In this talk, he highlighted the activities of the IRRC and emphasized the potential benefits of research on ecosystem services at a landscape scale. The adoption of the 3 Controls Technology (3CT) in the provinces of Jiangsu and Guangdong was discussed with Dr. Xuhua Zhong at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences. 3CT had high adoption in Guangdong Province, leading to a 9.5% increase in yield and 24% reduction in nitrogen use. Dr. Xuhua, a collaborator from the Guangdong Rice Research Institute, plans to extend 3CT to all districts in Guangdong and to other provinces.

Rona Nia Mae Rojas

raveling entails a lot of varied activities. More than just meeting with collaborators and visiting field sites, traveling involves sharing the latest in rice science, creating detailed work plans, and setting things into motion.
China In his latest visit to China, IRRC coordinator Grant Singleton gave a plenary talk during the International Symposium of Integrative Zoology in Kunming. The theme of the symposium was Biological Consequences of Global Change. His talk generated a lot of interest from the 130 symposium attendees. A seminar on Rodent outbreaks: ecol-

Myanmar Dr. Singleton participated in the annual review and planning meeting of the IRRC Myanmar Outreach Program (IMOP). The current status of demonstration sites in West Bago, Sagaing, Yangon, and Ayeyarwaddy was presented by U Maung Maung Yi, general manager of the Project Planning, Management, and Evaluation Division of the Myanma Agriculture Service in Yangon. Data presented showed strong progress in yield increases (versus a check site) that range from 0.12 to 3.3 t/ha. The IMOP plans to take steps to strengthen sustainable practices at the demonstration sites by handing over site management to the lead farmers and allowing them to find their comfort level in the adoption and adaptation of IRRC technologies. U Than Aye, director general of the Department of Agricultural Planning in Myanmar, also met with Dr. Singleton to discuss the needs of the countrys rice farming sector and determine the steps to address them, such as the need for more funds and better technical input. The local demand for rice is increasing and the government places high emphasis on rice sufficiency. IRRI, especially the IRRC, is in a good position to provide natural resource management technologies that could enable the country to increase its annual rice production.

CHWG to hold crop health workshop

he Crop Health Work Group will hold a workshop, titled Assessment, Modeling, and Gains from Sustainable Management of Crop Health, on 8-11 February in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. The workshop will involve approximately 55 participants from the IRRC, the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA), the Scientific Know-how Exchange Program (SKEP) involving IRRI and Syngenta, and the Philippine Rice Self-Sufficiency Program (PRSSP). Crop health is a major component of all these projects.

Nancy Castilla

The workshop aims to review the crop health data collection procedure used in all four projects, discuss the range of procedures to assess crop health, and measure its consequences, specifically crop losses. Part of the workshop involves reviewing the importance of and priorities for crop health management at different sites and crop health management options. These options will be linked to how crop health affects production situations and the derived gains from improved crop health. A discussion on the strategies to

disseminate crop health science, knowledge, and management options will also be held during the event. The workshop will involve site and country reports, field observations, and further demonstration of the crop health characterization portfolio. Also, presentations will be made on the analyses of complex data sets and RICEPESTa crop growth model that simulates yield losses due to multiple rice pests and yield gains from plant protection. 9

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January-April 2011

Step out and reach out

Rica Joy Flor

Five hundred meters to your destination, the cars GPS mumbles, as Dr. Kukiat Soitong navigates around Bangkoks busy streets at 2100 after hosting a dinner for collaborators. His day does not end then. While some soil scientists spend most of their time in experiment stations, Dr. Soitong, rice production promotion expert at the Rice Department of Thailand, has stepped out of his field into another that focuses on reaching farmers. Described by friends as outgoing, outspoken, and full of ideas, this man is up and about constantly dealing with people. He thinks this must be why, even if he loves research on soil science, he is thrust into the role of simplifying research products and bringing them to farmers.
Last September 2010, IRRI welcomed extension specialists from the Thailand Rice Deparment, led by Dr. Kukiat Soitong (2nd from left), with a special dinner celebration. (Also in photo, left to right: Dr. Noel Magor, IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler [center], Dr. David Johnson, and Dr. Grant Singleton.)

Although passionate about reaching farmers with useful results from scientific research, Dr. Soitong has not forgotten his roots. He finished his undergraduate and graduate degrees in agronomy at Kasetsart University. His classmates have not only become his friends for life but also his colleagues and partners in collaborative work with different agencies. Before devoting his full time to research, Dr. Soitong was a lecturer on soil science and soil fertility for several training programs for both officers and famers. He has also spent time doing consultancy work in Lao PDR on soil and fertilizer management. It is good he has been very busy with science because, if not in this career, he would have gone into business manage10

ment, and Thailand would have lost a scientist who champions technology delivery to farmers. Working for the agency that looks at all matters relating to rice in Thailand, Dr. Soitong leads a team that monitors issues concerning rice production, coordinates results from research on technologies, and makes recommendations for policy and action. His team is also involved in developing approaches for delivery of technologies to rice farmers. In 2006, they piloted the SMART farmer approach, which is a tool to involve well-trained farmers at the district level in farmer-to-farmer extension. This approach also links with community rice centers (CRCs)another brainchild of the Rice Department. These are village farmer groups registered at the district extension office. The CRCs choose 10 representatives for SMART farmer training following a selection standard. Farmers are trained on a package of technologies for good agricultural practice as well as other skill-enhancing courses. The trained farmers will then be assigned to be trainers in specific villages. The project aims to empower 35,000 SMART farmers who can each target reaching at least 10 other farmers.

Not only does research on effective extension methods occupy Dr. Soitongs active schedule; he also has research on evaluating production technologies or technology transfer system development. Still, he makes time to go to the beach in Pattaya, his favorite place to relax with his friends. He also goes to Chiangmai in northern Thailand to work on his new family business at the SMC Garden Home Resort. Since their two children, Cherry and Pack, have married and moved out, Dr. Soitong and Pok, his wife, sometimes visit their only granddaughter in another part of Bangkok. What most people do not know is that Dr. Soitong is gadget savvy and enjoys searching the Internet. He keeps up with his friends and updates them with photos through social networks online. Making life simple through comfortable and open relationships with people is what keeps the smile on Dr. Soitongs face through the bustle of daily activities at work and at home. He says it is important to look at the positive side: how to add to something and how to make something work, so that ideas can flow freely and more can benefit from them.

January-April 2011

RIPPLE

Dreaming big

Trina Leah Mendoza

Are you also from the University of the Philippines (UP)? were Dr. Erizal Jamals first words as this writer met him for the first time in 2008 in his office at the Indonesian Center for Agriculture Technology Assessment and Development (ICATAD) in Bogor, Indonesia. Friendly, cheerful, and down-to-earth, he seemed like an old friend rather than ICATADs deputy director for collaboration and dissemination, offering sweets, and asking about UP in Los Baos, Laguna, Philippines, where he finished his PhD in agricultural economics in 2005. But then again, his warm and unassuming demeanor comes in handy since his main role at ICATAD is to initiate, maintain, and evaluate partnerships with national and international organizations. In 2009, ICATAD joined forces with the IRRC and the Indonesian Center for Rice Research (ICRR) to develop an IRRC Country Outreach Program in Indonesia to speed up the spread of new rice technologies to farmers. Dr. Jamals other main task is to accelerate this dissemination process for technologies from the ICRR and other research centers to all 32 stations of Assessment Institutes of Agricultural Technologies (AIATs). Spread all across the nation, these AIATs work directly with extension workers and farmers to teach them new technologies. Speeding up the dissemination process, creating simple extension materials for farmers that actually reach them, and

coordinating all 32 AIATs are just some of the challenges that Dr. Jamal faces each day. Indonesia has over 17,000 islands and stretches across the equator for almost 5,000 kilometers. Part of his job is to visit all the AIAT offices, with the nearest one 1.5 hours away by land travel. His days are fully packed. At half past 4 in the morning, he wakes up and prays, eats breakfast, and takes his kids to school. He likes to jog, and he does so religiously, three times a week before heading off to work. At the office, Dr. Erizal (right) and Cambodian participant Meas he spends most of the day in meet- Pyseth visit a greenhouse in South Korea during the ings with his staff and other direc- Rice Technology Transfer System in Asia workshop in April 2010. tors from the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and DevelopReading books is another hobby that ment (IAARD), of which ICATAD is part. he enjoys. Dr. Jamal bonds with his chilHe also travels to Jakarta almost every dren by going to the bookstore together day (about an hour away) to meet and to hunt for new books. He is particularly discuss with colleagues from IAARD and fond of reading inspirational books, and the Ministry of Agriculture. those about rural development, which is But, during weekends and holidays, another area he is passionate about. its family time. Thrice a month, his whole Dr. Jamal, an MS degree holder in refamily watches the wayang, which is an gional and rural development planning Indonesian word for theater. This tradi- from the Bogor Agricultural University, tional form of shadow puppet theater tells aspires to become an international sciof old Javanese tales. Dr. Jamal first saw entist involved in rural development one it with his father- and mother-in-law and day. He is slowly working toward his enjoyed it immensely; he has been bring- dream by discussing issues with other ing his family to watch these shows ever scientists and contributing articles on rusince. ral development to some national newspapers such as Republika and Kompas. But, for now, he is focused on speeding up the process of disseminating technologies to farmers, to help them realize their dreams. My dream for Indonesia is to make the farm lands profitable for farmers, and that their income from agricultural activities will be enough for their needs, says Dr. Jamal. As we know, most farmers, especially in Java, do not have their own rice fields. They grow rice on less than 0.5 hectare, and earn income that is not enough for their daily expenses. We need to consolidate land so that each farmer has enough land, and that is not easy. With leaders like Dr. Erizal Jamal at the forefront, these big dreams for IndoDr. Erizal Jamal always watches the wayang (Indonesian shadow puppet theater) nesian farmers are not far from becoming with wife Maesti Mardiharini, daughter Eranthy Firdaus, and sons Diyandaru a reality.
Adhitya and Ichwan Bagus Ernanda.

RIPPLE

January-April 2011

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Vietnam recognizes IRRC scientists

uring the opening ceremony of IRC2010, Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung presented IRRI with the First Class Friendship Order, in honor of IRRIs contributions to Vietnamese agriculture and its almost 50 years of alliance with Vietnam. This Friendship award is one of the most prestigious honors Vietnam has given to an international organization, and it came at a fitting time during IRRIs 50th anniversary. Vietnam also awarded 15 merit medals to IRRI scientists, four of whom are IRRC scientists. IRRC coordinator Grant Singleton and Productivity and Sustainability Work Group leader Roland Buresh received the Merit Medals for the cause of science and technology development of Vietnam.

Trina Leah Mendoza

The Merit Medals for the cause of agriculture and rural development of Vietnam were given to Martin Gummert and David Johnson, leaders of the Postproduction (PP) and Labor Productivity and Community Ecology (LPCE) work groups, respectively. The IRRC has been working with Vietnamese partners in collaborative research for more than a decade. Research covers management of nutrients, postharvest, water, weeds, rodents, insects, crop establishment, and integrated crop management. The impressive and dynamic collaboration has now resulted in an integration of technologies being promoted through the One Must Do, Five Reductions Program of Vietnam.

Volume 6, Number 1 January-April 2011 This newsletter is produced by the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The IRRC promotes international links among scientists, managers, communicators, and farmers in lowland irrigated rice environments. Materials in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official views of IRRI, SDC, or collaborating institutions of the IRRC. EdITORIAL ANd PROdUCTION TEAm IRRC Trina Leah Mendoza, Grant Singleton, Rona Nia Mae Rojas, Jennifer Hernandez CPS Bill Hardy CONTRIbUTINg AUTHORS Reianne Quilloy, Rica Joy Flor, Florencia Palis Please direct further correspondence, comments, and contributions to Trina Leah Mendoza Senior Communication Specialist International Rice Research Institute DAPO Box 7777 Metro Manila, Philippines Email: t.mendoza@cgiar.org Web: www.irri.org/irrc

Trina Mendoza (2)

1. (left to right) IRRI Senior Plant Physiologist Abdelbagi Ismail, IRRC coordinator Grant Singleton, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung 2. (left to right) LPCE WG leader David Johnson and PP WG leader Martin Gummert

IRRI scientists recognized by Indonesian minister

IRRI scientists Roland Buresh and Grant Singleton (extreme left and extreme right) are recognized for their efforts during the 2007-10 IRRI-Indonesia collaborative project. (Also in photo, 2nd & 3rd from left: IRRI Deputy Director General for Research Achim Dobermann and Indonesian Minister of Agriculture H.E. Dr. Min Suswono.)

he Indonesian minister of agriculture gave a citation to IRRC scientists Grant Singleton and Roland Buresh for their contribution to food security in the country during the IRRI-Indonesia Collaborative Work Plan Meeting in Jakarta on 20-21 January. The minister also launched the Nutrient Manager for Rice version 2.0 during the opening. This tool will help Indonesian farmers get the most of their fertilizer inputs through a recommendation given after the farmer answers nutrient management questions. More than 30 directors and representatives of government agencies met with IRRI scientists to review completed and ongoing projects and plan for collaboration in 2011-14. The ACIARfunded project in South and Southeast Sulawesi was one of the collaborative projects discussed. Further work between the IRRC and Indonesian scientists was also planned.

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Rica Flor