In Niquen, Chile, an innovative rice cultivation method has emerged that utilizes significantly less water, attracting local farmers. Researchers from IICA and INIA have genetically modified the Oryza sativa plant to be more resilient to climate change while reducing water usage from 23,000 to 12,000 cubic meters per hectare. This project also aims to cut methane emissions from rice production, a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Ongoing studies at an experimental station in Nuble are measuring the effectiveness of these low-emission practices, which are also being explored in other countries like Brazil and Ecuador.
The researchers aim to make the Asian rice plant more resilient to climate change, achieving production with half the water resources normally used, reducing it from 23,000 to 12,000 cubic meters per hectare.
Fernando Barrera says that here, emissions from the traditional farming system are measured compared to low-emission production systems to determine how much greenhouse gases can be reduced.
This rice, the southernmost in the world, is an innovative solution crafted by researchers, demonstrating that it's possible to cultivate essential food with minimal environmental impact.
Guillermo Munoz, a lifelong farmer, remarked, 'If you don't see it, you don't believe it,' reflecting the remarkable success of this unconventional farming method.
#sustainable-agriculture #climate-change #rice-cultivation #water-conservation #greenhouse-gas-reduction
Collection
[
|
...
]