Cultivation changes in response to climate change

In Quang Nam Province, rice yield have plummeted by 50% compared with the same period last year. New solutions to mitigate such losses are becoming increasingly necessary in the context of climate change.

In Đại Lộc District, Quang Nam Province, HT1 is high-yielding rice variety. However, the negative effect of climate change has reduced yields by 50% compared to the same period last year. Other rice varieties yields have also decreased to 30%.

The Đại Thắng Agricultural Co-operative has remarkably reduced its losses thanks to a new variety used in a third of this year’s rice crop.

"The rice variety TBR225 has shown positive results. It is resistant to the drought and cold weather. It has also brought higher yield with 300 kg per 0.4 of hectare." - Hoang Trung Hung, Director, Dai Thang Agricultural Co-operative.

Research into rice varieties resistant to salinity, drought and cold weather were carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 5 years ago. Currently there are more than 10 varieties that have registered positive results. However, the key issue is how to shorten research times and apply the results into real life situations.

"The government and National Assembly have requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to amend the 2004 Seed Ordinance. This helps to shorten the procedure processing time and apply new technical advances more efficiently." - Tran Manh Bao, Chairman, Vietnam Seed Trading Association.

"Research into rice varieties needs to focus on varieties that provide at least the same yields as currently. They also need shorter growing durations and obviously need to maintain quality." - Tran Xuan Dinh, Deputy Head, Department of Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The area use to cultivate rice this year is likely to fall to 7.8 million ha, a 61,000 ha decrease compared with last year. One of the key objectives of any research into new rice varieties would have to include their ability to adapt to the drought and salinity.