Constraints to high yields on Asian rice farms : an interim report

The International Rice Agroeconomic Network (IRAEN) was organized in l974 to allow scientists from six Asia countries to identify and study factors constraining rice yields on farmers" fields. Agronomists, economists, and statisticians in each country focus on biological and socioeconomic constraints. This report presents the major considerations and methodologies for assessing yield constraints in the IRAEN project. The problems encountered during the first two years are discussed and some solutions are suggested. Field research trials and studies include work at three sites in the Philippines, two sites in Indonesia, and one site each in Thailand, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Major accomplishments to date include: a workable methodology for identification of constraints; constraints that have been identified are receiving increased attention from researchers; direct contact and interchange between agronomists and economists have been fostered in all cooperating groups; and the international exchanges have given participants from the network countries a better appreciation of their own problems. The papers in this volume represent progress reports on a continuing research effort. Certain questions have been answered on factors constraining rice yield but further investigation is necessary in several areas. Fertilizer use, which has been observed as a major physical constraint, is likely to have an interaction with weed control. Water control, the single most important variable seems to influence the use of other inputs in the area. Another factor to study is why farmers grow modern varieties during the dry season but not in the wet season. It is suggested that the project should shift to an area where the modern rice technology has not been as well adopted by farmers.