Hybrid Rice Seeks High Production with Less Water

With the advancement of technical and market requirements in rice production, companies have been betting on solutions that combine yield, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. RiceTec has presented hybrid cultivars with a short cycle and reduced carbon footprint, which reduce cultivation time by up to two weeks compared to traditional varieties and optimize water usage. The SmartRice seed line, for example, seeks to increase productivity with lower environmental impact and less labor demand, a relevant factor given the current difficulties faced by the sector. "Rice farming has undergone an intense transformation in Brazil since the introduction of Clearfield system cultivars. Around 90% of rice cultivated in Brazil has herbicide tolerance," stated José Plaza, commercial director of RiceTec Mercosul and responsible for the company's exports to the Americas. When comparing the national scenario with Uruguay's, he points out that there is space for conventional varieties in ...