Economic Performance of Traditional and Modern Rice Varieties under Different Water Management Systems

Abstract

Italian rice production is progressively threatened by water scarcity. Some strategies have been developed to reduce water use. Nevertheless, reducing water irrigation amounts may lower paddy rice production. This publication compares the productivity and the economic performances of traditional and modern rice varieties in northern Italy using two different water management systems. The objective of this analysis is to enhance Italian rice cultivation at the economic, environmental and agronomic levels. Some positive variations of water productivity and economic water productivity were observed for the two varieties when using a lower amount of irrigation water. However, actual production costs and most water supply fees are the same for all the irrigation methods. Furthermore, the study of agronomic traits shows that during the recent years, there were no significant differences or increases of yield among varieties. Consequently, to be adopted by farmers, the irrigation costs coupled with improved rice accessions need to be optimized.

Determinants of Economic Farm-Size–Efficiency Relationship in Smallholder Maize Farms in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

“…At present, particularly in the former homeland of SA, farmlands have become smaller and crops are cultivated mostly on food plots and homestead gardens where farmers live [16]. At the same time, practices remain traditional and basic, inevitably resulting in the persistent low productivity of smallholder agriculture [17].…”

Sustainability of Traditional Rice Cultivation in Kerala, India—A Socio-Economic Analysis

“…There are concerns about the economic viability and sustainability of traditional rice varieties. One study reported that the yields of traditional and modern rice varieties do not differ significantly [75], while another concluded that farmers rely on modern varieties because of their higher yields [76]. Traditional landraces are often more resilient to trying environmental conditions and produce more reliable yields across many situations than modern varieties [76].…”

Isolation and Characterization of Root-Associated Bacterial Endophytes and Their Biocontrol Potential against Major Fungal Phytopathogens of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

“…Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered to be the most widely used staple food among the cereal crops, as it feeds half of the world's population [1,2]. However, the average rice yield is less than its potential due to many biotic and abiotic factors [3].…”