No doubt 1979 long will be remembered by all of us as the year of disconcerting, challenging worldwide events. But 1979 also was the year when our new rice varieties and the new knowledge flowing from our Comprehensive Rice Research Program, coupled with a fine growing season, enabled rice growers of 534,000 acres to turn in an average yield of 6,450 pounds per acre. This is 640 pounds per acre higher than the previous yield record established in 1977. Yes, our dollars spent on research are being returned to us many times over through the new rice production technology we now use. Coupled with this good yield, it appears that the worldwide importance of rice to most people is being reflected in a rapid sale of our big crop.

Fifteen of the 17 active research projects in 1979 were concerned with enhancing environmental quality through improved rice cultural practices. Our rice straw residue management problems still are with us, but your Research Board feels that an accelerated research effort can find solutions - not just to "get rid" of the straw, but to turn the 1.5 to 2 million tons we cope with annually into a valuable asset. Some of the technology already exists to make gas and liquid fuels, fiber for insulation, building materials, paper and rayon from our rice straw. What is needed is a concentrated research effort to develop economical straw recovery systems and utilization opportunities.

As you read this report you will be impressed with the progress made by our cooperating rice research agencies. But with double-digit inflation, we are finding that we have fewer constant-value dollars with which to support rice research. Based on requests from many growers, we are recommending a marked acceleration in our research effort on rice crop residue management. You will soon be asked in a Rice Marketing Order referendum to raise the permissabile maximum assessment from 21/z cents per hundred to 5 cents. In terms of constant-value dollars, even this will provide little more than we had available in the early years of the order when inflation was not so rampant.

Upon your approval of the increased research funding, emphasis will be given to seeking economical alternatives to field burning of rice straw. Essential on-going research projects such as the Rice Experiment Station (Biggs), weed control and others will be continued. Your Board believes the amply demonstrated productivity of your research program and the mounting public pressure to reduce field burning provide a sound basis for you to make a decision on the proposal. We urge each of you to vote.

 

September, 1979, view of the CCRRF Rice Experiment Station, Biggs, showing the machinery shops and seed storage facilities (in center of paved area) and the greenhouses (left, below paved area), mostly built since inauguration of the Rice Marketing Order funded research program. Funds for the expanded grain drying and storage facilities came from seed sales.