Rainfed lowland rice: building research on farmer practice and technical knowledge

Abstract The world's 40 million ha of rainfed lowland rice account for 29% of rice land and 19% of rice supply. Although scientists have defined broad rainfed lowland subecosystems, individual farmers in such areas usually manage lands distributed across local landscapes that include a diverse and dynamic range of rice environments. Field conditions are interrelated and change year to year due to rainfall differences such that a presently “favorable” middle terrace parcel and a drought-stressed upper parcel may be submerged and favorable, respectively, the next year. Farmer practice and knowledge are adapted to the complex risks, potentials and problems characteristic of such systems. On-farm and diagnostic research conducted in rainfed lowland areas of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Nepal and Madagascar show that rice research can benefit by building on farmer perspectives.