Hybrid rice in Cambodia: Economics Today: no hybrids for tomorrow?

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Economics Today: no hybrids for tomorrow?

From the April 2010 issue of Economics Today (title page 'Danger! Hybrid Rice'), two articles which look at hybrid rice in general and it's significance to Cambodia.

The first article entitled

'Hybrid Seed. A Ponzi Scheme for Farmers'

draws on my own experience as well as that of GRAIN, so it's obvious which direction the article takes. Though the title is slightly misleading, the article ends by citing GRAIN's Rivera:

'It's a choice farmers ultimately have to make'.

Even though technology and markets will probably drive farmers the way companies will want them to go. The article itself I've copied and uploaded (PDF version: 1.3 MB).

Furthermore an interview with Winfried (of DED and CEDAC), who is also asked to comment on hybrids. Overall a bit disconcerting if you are a hybrid rice seeder trader. The interview is also available online (PDF: 0.7 MB).

Summary

Policy makers highlight the possible consequences of the closing of the gap between production and consumption of rice. Their answer to this, is to increase production, which could be best achieved by growing hybrid rice. They point to the achievements that China has managed to achieve.

However it is not obvious that increasing production by raising the yield frontier is the best solution, as economic issues lie at the heart of the slowing production growth of rice.

The major international rice research institute (IRRI) has however decided that hybrid rice is the best way and is actively building up cooperation with private interests as they are not only interesting partner but also the most efficient organization to pursue this.

Opposition to hybrid rice growing focuses on this corporisation and possible future consequences of leaving the playing field to private interests rather than public interests.

Little experience with growing hybrid rice has taken place in Cambodia with inconclusive results. Nonetheless there should be ample scope to produce hybrid rice under current dry season conditions.

However despite the relevance of increased yields for land-less and land-poor farmers of Cambodia, there is little scope that hybrid rice growing will become a major tool to alleviate poverty in Cambodia as the price of seed is too high and the government is not expected to be able set up a transparent system of subsidies.

Hybrid rice in Cambodia

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Economics Today: no hybrids for tomorrow?

Summary

Announcing growing hybrid rice

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