1.3. Bridging the Science-Practice Continuum

Scientific achievements in rice research abound from which knowledge-based technologies have been derived, but the results often remain restricted to a few research collaborators and farmers who have been trained. Despite the strides made in rice science, farmers’ knowledge and decision-making skills in crop management have lagged behind.  A number of examples can illustrate the gaps that exist between scientific achievements and farmers’ practices:

• Modern rice varieties, when well managed, can easily yield 8 t/ha. However, a large proportion of farmers still obtain yields of <5 t/ha.

• In Vietnam, we find that 100% of the farmers spray fungicides for a yellow leaf symptom.  However, pathologists have not been able to show that the causal agent is a fungus.

• In China, especially Zhejiang province, agronomists’ research has shown that nitrogen applications are excessive.

• In insect management, entomologists know that damages by leaf feeding insects are of no consequence, but most farmers spray when they see these damages. A survey in Leyte, Philippines showed that 8 out of 10 insecticide spray application were unnecessary.

• Many farmers now grow insect resistant varieties, but insecticide use does not change.  Farmers either do not know the varieties have resistance or they have a different concept of resistance.

For research results to make a difference in farmers’ productivity, they have to be applied and used. Integration with communication sciences can add a lot more value to innovations in research and technology.