IRRI pushes measures to blunt effects of climate change

MANILA, Philippines - The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is urging the government and private sector to adopt water saving measures and use of stress tolerant rice varieties to blunt the adverse effects of climate change to the rice sector.

During a recent forum hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Philippine Agriculture Journalists, Inc. PAJ) on the economic effects of climate change, IRRI principal scientist Dr. Reiner Wassmann said that as global temperature rises by an average of one degree Celsius every year, the Philippine rice sector is challenged by conditions that make it harder for farmers to sustain the level of production needed to meet demand.

As temperature rises, increased water evaporation in rice paddies would require more water and power to sustain irrigation, putting a strain on domestic water and power sources.

“There are a number of things that can be done that can ease the effects of climate change (to the rice sector). One of these is clearly, saving irrigation. It is something that the Philippines can think about for the long-term,” said Wassmann.

At the peak of the summer season, the operator of the Angat Dam in Bulacan  cut the supply of water for irrigation to farms in Bulacan and Pampanga to preserve the supply of water to Metro Manila. As dictated by protocol, water supply for irrigation is the first to be cut if the water level in the dam falls below the critical level followed by power if the water level in the dam continues to fall.

The Angat Dam irrigates about 22,000 hectares of rice paddies in Bulacan and Pampanga, and provides 90 percent of the water requirements of Metro Manila. It also powers the Angat Power Plant.

“Saving water in Angat is therefore critical, “ said Wassmann.

As temperature increases and sea level rises, rice farms are also vulnerable to heat stress and increased water salinity. These factors have contributed to decreased yield even in high-yielding varieties from about 10 metric tons per hectare to only eight metric tons per hectare.

“Rice is a tropical crop but it does not mean that it is not afflicted with heat stress,” said Wassman.

IRRI, which is based on Laguna, has been developing varieties that can survive extreme weather conditions such as drought and excessive rainfall.

It has also developing varieties that can tolerate high salinity environments.

“Heat is now a pressing problem in the Philippines. We now anticipate a continued rise in temperatures and so can also think about distributing stress tolerant varieties. We have to invest in research and development now so that when these seeds are needed, we would already have them in the pipeline,” said Wassmann.

A key component in climate change adaptation for the local rice sector, he said, is educating farmers on the use of these varieties.

In pilot areas where IRRI tests their new varieties, its extension workers incorporate traditional community extension work and technology.

Farmers are provided technical assistance and farm management tools through direct consultation and through mobile phone applications.

“We can also provide better information to farmers to prove the reliability of our varieties. But we also have to work with their planting preferences so they would plant new varieties,” said Wassmann.