Summary

This project aims to improve rice profitability and sustainability by targeting programs linked to improving yield and water productivity. The project links the NSW DPI research and extension teams who provide the main resources for rice farming systems R&D. The team has been largely responsible for the 30% yield increase and 60% water productivity improvement up to the 2001 harvest. Drought and a severe cold season in the last 6 years has temporarily halted this progress. A return to a more normal season in 2008/09 will allow growers to start growing rice again and return to making the farm profitable. Growers will need more of a helping hand than normal as they adjust to new technologies developed in the last few years. A wide range of extension activities will be undertaken to suit the learning needs of farmers and stakeholders. Some of these communication activities may be hampered by funding limitations. It is planned to increase collaboration with the Environmental Champions Program and attempt to identify some new environmental checks for Ricecheck. Profit benchmarks will be added to the new Ricecheck data on sowing dates and water productivity targets. The NSW DPI extension team will collaborate with the research team, commercial agronomists, Rice R@D committee, other agencies and farmers to provide effective delivery of rice system practices and technology.

Program

Rice

Research Organisation

New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment for and on behalf of the State of NSW – Inactive

Objective Summary

The project aims to increase rice yields and water productivity by 2% in the 2008/09 season.
It particularly focuses on objective 5 in the Five Year RIRDC Rice R& D Plan ie. technology transfer, communication, policy and communities.