Over 250 people attended the 2022 Rice Field Day at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s Rice Research & Extension Center to view the latest in weed control, irrigation technology, precision agriculture, and soil health.
In-field presentations on rice breeding, fertility, drone usage, pest management, irrigation, and agronomy were showcased during the annual event.
The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board was established in 1985 to improve the profitability of growing rice in Arkansas by distributing funds raised by the Rice Check-off Program for research, extension, and market development.
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More on engaging agricultural producers:
Farmers’ participation is key to faster rice varietal replacement in Odisha
There are several reasons for low varietal replacement rates. These include the lack of extension services and access to newly developed high-yielding, stress-tolerant rice varieties as well as the unavailability of the seed when farmers need them. But rice farmers are open to the new varieties if the constraints were eased or removed.
Strengthening research-to-farm extension channels to improve farmers’ productivity and profitability
Different extension approaches have been used to bridge the knowledge gap between researchers and farmers. A mix of different channels and modes works best in bringing developmental change in the farming communities’ practices as it involves a change in their behavior.
The role of the private sector in improving the lives of rice farmers and consumers
It is vital for the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to coordinate their efforts to bring innovation in the form of research and development as well as new business models to ensure sustainable development and strengthening of the rice ecosystem.
