towards eco‐efficient agriculture
Rice is an important crop in Latin Social equity
America and the Caribbean. CIAT and Benefits
partners have led genetic and High yields help maintain affordable rice
agronomic revolutions that generate for urban populations and increase farm
greater yields from less land and other income.
inputs. Early‐maturing upland varieties can
improve smallholder farm performance.
Challenges
New varieties with 18% more iron and
28% more zinc need to be adopted.
Maintaining yield increases.
Economic
Benefits
Improved varieties and crop management
Hjimans, 2007
facilitated by FLAR, CIAT and local
partners increased yields 1 ‐ 3 tons/ha and
reduced costs by 10‐30%.
Best FLAR RS‐Brazil
Best FLAR Venezuela Better irrigated crop management on
FLAR
RS‐Brazil 500,000 ha in South Brazil and 40,000 ha
Venezuela FLAR
in Venezuela generate annual benefits of:
Venezuela
Brazil: US$224 million,
Venezuela: $34 million (2007 prices)
Program has expanded to 10 countries.
Data: FAO, FLAR Challenges
Increasing LAC production for future
regional and global rice demands.
Environmental
Benefits
Increased productivity has reduced the
need to open new agricultural lands.
Good crop management and new varieties
reduces land degradation, water pollution
and harmful emissions.
Challenges
Breeding superior varieties in the context
of climate change.
Better water and nitrogen use efficiency.