Bradbrook - 2012 - Rice Farming complete with methods to increase ric

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Part 16: Ricecheck System The Ricecheck system was developed in Australia in 1986 by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) in response to concerns that rice varieties were not reaching their yield potentials, resulting in a yield gap. By using benchmarks based on the highest yielding crops to identify production limitations and following best management practices to correct such limitations, this system has been able to overcome the yield gap. The key to Ricecheck’s success has been the creation of farmer groups that provided feedback to researchers and extension workers and hastened the transfer of current rice production technologies. This participatory framework has allowed the Ricecheck system to achieve its goals to improve yield, grain quality and profitability. It is best applied to irrigated and rainfed lowland rice culture. According to the NSW Department of Primary Industries, “Ricecheck encourages you to manage your rice crop by comparing your practices with the practices producing the highest yielding crops...It helps you to learn from your experiences to improve your crop management in the future.” Ricecheck is being adopted and promoted as a holistic approach to rice production in several developing countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa with the help of the FAO and its member countries. 1. How to Use Ricecheck a. Use the key checks to manage the rice crop. b. Observing, measuring, and recording the growth of the crop is essential. c. Compare and interpret results to identify problem areas. Ask the question: Was the grain quality target achieved? d. Identify practices that achieved key checks and management practices that may have limited the yield and can be improved. e. Determine the best practices by comparing current practices with those that resulted in the highest yielding crops. Determine which practices need to be changed. f Implement improved management practices in the following growing cycle. It is important to leam from experiences. 57
2. Befare planting: a. Establish target yields (depends on variety, growing region, climate). b. Set water productivity targets (ton/million liter). c. Plan the entire operation from start to finish. These recommendations are provided yearly by NSW DPI to every rice farmer in New South Wales, the primary rice-growing region in Australia. The recommendations are based on data provided by participating farmers which the Department analyzes to find the practices that result in the highest yield and productivity. Rice farmers are free to join the program but not every farmer has to do so. Participating means that farmers have to provide data about their rice production to the Department and engage in farmers’ group meetings. For instance, the recommendation that water level be at a depth of 20 to 25 cm at microspore stage was arrived at by comparing the different water levels that participating farmers used and finding that this water level resulted in the highest yield. The Ricecheck Recommendations: 1. Land suitability Key Check: A suitable land for growing rice must be one that has low permeability. This prevents unnecessary water loss through percolation and seepage. By minimizing access to water sources (irrigation canals or groundwater), considerable water conservation is achieved. The recommended total water usage is below 14 to 16 million liters per growing cycle. 2. Field layout Key Check: A rice field with a good layout is flat and even. The bunds must be wellconstructed (no seepage or leakage) and be at least 40 cm in height at its lowest point. Water channels should be constructed to facilitate efficient supply, drainage, and recycling. 2. Sowing time Key Check: Sowing should be done during the recommended sowing window for each rice variety when environmental conditions such as temperature favor seed germination and seedling survival. 58
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Bradbrook - 2012 - Rice Farming complete with methods to increase ric

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