Page 27 - 國合會2016電子書-英文

Operations

1 Case Study

Rice Seed Research,
Development and Production
Extension Project in Nicaragua

Technician Liu Hung-tse (second from the right) conducting inspection of the
cultivation of rice seeds with farmers of the seed bank and technicians from other
collaborating departments.

Rice is the third major food crop in government set a target to achieve a large country; to develop crops that
Nicaragua, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, 100 percent domestic supply and are suitable to the local environment,
with an annual rice demand of 300,000 expects to export rice to other Central the seed bank will serve as a center
tons. However, the supply hardly American countries. In 2015, the for not only production of quality rice
meets the demand, and therefore Nicaraguan government and Taiwan seeds, but also preservation of local
the country is highly dependent on launched the Rice Seed Research, varieties. To retain quality local varieties,
imports. An analysis of the structure Development and Production the selection of new upland varieties
of the country’s rice production Extension Project to assist small and trial planting were carried out this
reveals that large rice farmers and and medium farmers overcome their year, as was the purification of 11
cooperatives monopolize paddy rice, limitations and increase rice yields. local varieties. It is expected that these
while upland rice is often grown by The agreement for this project varieties will be handed over to farmers
small and medium farmers. However, was signed in October 2015. The for cultivation in 2017, in complement
small and medium farmers have plan covers development of new to the seed bank.
been unable to stabilize production varieties and new farming technology, By the end of this five-year project,
due to lack of technology, funds and purification of local varieties, we expect to set up 155 seed banks
equipment, and vulnerability to natural establishment of a seed breeding and produce 980 tons of quality rice
disasters. General inaccessibility to demonstration station (seed bank), seeds to supply rice seeds for growing
quality rice seeds has forced the and capacity building for small and upland rice on 15,077 hectares of
farmers to keep part of their harvest medium farmers and technicians to land. The expected output will reach
as seeds and this practice has caused improve rice cultivation techniques. 54,277 tons for commercial trading
deterioration in the quality of the final The Nicaraguan government has and boost the supply of quality upland
product. Other issues such as lack of attached particular importance to the rice seeds to 23 percent.
training in cultivation techniques and concept of seed bank and hopes
poor soil management have become that the TaiwanICDF can continue
major causes of low productivity. its outstanding achievements in
promoting quality rice seed breeding
Supply of quality rice seeds system. The idea is to set up seed
raises yields production bases in local townships
To help Nicaragua increase rice where small and medium farmers grow
production and ensure food security, upland rice, which then supply high-
Taiwan has been working with the yield and high-quality seeds to nearby
Government of Nicaragua over farmers. The seed bank will then serve 23 %
the years to implement G3 paddy as the center, where training courses
rice seed propagation and variety and experience exchange activities Estimated supply rate
selection at the Taiwan-Nicaragua Rice are planned and implemented for of quality upland rice
Trial Research and Training Center. the farmers, along with the collection seeds
Aiming to achieve food security and and preservation of local varieties to
rural development, the Nicaraguan increase crop diversity. Nicaragua is

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