Experts analyze climate risks in the rice sector

MONSIGNOR NOUEL. – With the purpose of presenting the findings of environmental research in the Dominican rice sector, academic researchers, agricultural experts and representatives of the productive sector held the workshop “Socialization of results of environmental research in the Dominican rice sector”, in which they analyzed The challenges and opportunities of rice production in the Dominican Republic in the context of climate change.

The meeting, held in the National Rice Training Center (CENACA), of the Rice Directorate (Bioarroz), In Juma, Bonao, it was organized by the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC); the Ministries of Agriculture (MA), Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN), and Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), and the Dominican Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Research (IDIAF), and was attended by 45 rice technicians and producers.

During your speech, Genaro Rodríguez, Deputy Minister of MESCyT, praised the impact of research focused on productive sectors and asserted that the Dominican Republic is experiencing one of its best moments in science because of a commitment stemming from the Executive Branch itself.

Likewise, Eladio Arnaud, director of IDIAF, said that after plantains, rice is the most consumed product in the Dominican Republic, so research into the cultivation of the cereal is very important for the country.   

Rosario Aróstegui, Vice-Rector for Research and Outreach, stated that INTEC's purpose is to contribute to the country's social and economic impact through academic excellence, research, and the development of entrepreneurial spirit. "Talking about applied research to impact society is what makes an event of this magnitude so meaningful to us," he emphasized.  

Solhanlle Bonilla Duarte, Director of Research and Environmental Economics at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and research professor at INTEC, noted that for the Ministry, it is important to join research initiatives linked to national priorities, and in the case of rice, it is essential for the Dominican diet.

The workshop began with an overview of rice production in the Dominican Republic, led by Cristino Durán, Director of Bio-RiceAfter this intervention, the research was presented.

Rosaura Pimentel, research professor and coordinator of the Climate Change and Resilience Observatory (OCCR) of INTEC, presented the results of the “Analysis of risks associated with climate change for rice production in the Dominican Republic (RiesgoArroz)”, which determined that rice producers in the country face challenges in the cultivation of the cereal due to extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, floods and droughts.

Iván Relova, consultant for the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism (CNCCyML), addressed the issue "Greenhouse gas emissions and alignment of rice cultivation with the nationally determined contribution in the Dominican Republic"Meanwhile, Miledy Alberto, PhD in Environmental Sciences from INTEC, presented the results of her doctoral research. “Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in soils of three rice-growing areas in the middle and lower basin of the Yuna River, Dominican Republic”, who was advised by Lizaira Bello, a professor at INTEC.

Pedro Núñez and Glenny López, IDIAF presented the results of their research "Indicators of quality and health of rice soils" y “Nutrient mapping in rice using multispectral drones”Meanwhile, Eladio Arnaud spoke about the “R&D Perspectives in Rice Production in the Dominican Republic”.

In addition, the panel was developed “Technological innovation in the rice sector: Opportunities and threats in the face of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA-rice), moderated by Pedro Núñez and Rosaura Pimentel with the participation of Marcelo reyes, President of FENARROZ, Eladio Arnaud, director of IDIAF, Cristino Durán, Director of Bio-Arroz. Participants at the event agreed on the importance of adopting mitigation and adaptation strategies to the effects of climate change on rice production. Among the main recommendations were the implementation of climate monitoring systems and early warnings, the development of new rice varieties resistant to extreme conditions, the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, such as water reuse and ecological soil management and the need to generate public policies that encourage technological innovation in the sector.

At the end of the workshop, Ulises Jáuregui, research professor at INTEC, highlighted the commitment of industry stakeholders to finding sustainable solutions to ensure food security in the country. He noted that the two driving forces of the Dominican economy are tourism and agriculture, the latter having a high impact.

The workshop was also attended by Charles Sanley, Research Director of INTEC, and Carlos Rodriguez, Research Director of MESCYT.