Rainfed rice - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

Introduction
T
he six states in eastern India (Assam,
Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya
Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh) account
for about 63.3% of the total rice cropped area
in the country (26.8 million ha out of 42.3
million ha total) but produce only 48% of the
total rice. Average rice yields of eastern India
are lower than the national average with
the exception of West Bengal, where
productivity equals or exceeds the national
average.
About 80% of the rice area of eastern India is
rainfed and exposed to abiotic stresses such
as drought, low soil fertility, flood and
stagnant water. Some of the poorest rice farmers live in this region.
Yet, future increases in rice productivity (to meet projected needs)
will likely have to come from eastern India. It is within this context
that the IFAD-Aided Project on Collaborative Research and
Development of Sustainable Rice Farming Systems in South Asia
was set up. It was supported by the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR), International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The project
was implemented by different participating institutions in the region
including ICAR institutions, state agricultural universities and state
departments of agriculture and non-governmental organisations.
IFAD funded the project in two phases: the first phase in 1987-92 and the
second phase on 1994-99. All the activities between the first and second
phase were supported by a bridging grant from IRRI. The project
followed a systems approach to research and training.
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