RICE RATOONING - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES OF RICE RATOONING 19Should the farmer feel that ratooning is not managerially feasible, the field isrecultivated, with the choice made between planting another rice crop or an uplandcrop (node D).Assume, however, that a ratoon rice crop is technically and manageriallyfeasible (node E). On technical grounds (e.g., the length of the remainder of thegrowing season) the farmer may face two options.If the season is too short to permit a seeded rice crop to mature, the choice isbetween a rice ratoon and an upland crop (node F).If the remaining season is somewhat longer, a seeded rice crop also enters thedecision framework (node G).Technical factors influencing the farmer’s choice at node F will include waterstatus of the field, suitability of the soil for an upland crop, and anticipated declineand end of rains or the irrigation season.Managerial factors will include availability of power and labor to recultivatethe field or to prepare it for an upland crop; availability of seeds and other inputs togrow other crops; availability of cash or credit to purchase inputs; and expectedweather conditions, labor supply, etc., including during harvesting, threshing, andprocessing the crop.If the expected season length is longer (node G), the choice may be between asecond full duration rice crop, a ratoon rice crop, or an alternate upland crop.Crop choice and crop management practices are determined by economic andhousehold considerations. Household factors may include a desire to produce aparticular crop or variety to meet social obligations, a preference for consumption ora requirement for livestock feed, a desire to remain independent from the market toassure the household’s food supply, and a desire for personal labor flexibility toallow acceptance of off-farm work, if and when available.Economic considerations will include costs of inputs and credit to purchaseinputs; perceived yields and prices, the profits at harvest; and the relative riskiness ofeach crop which competes for land use.In summary, choosing a ratoon crop over other land uses depends on threesets of factors (6):1) technical/ agronomic adaptation (how fully are crop-physical requirementsmet under farm conditions),2) managerial feasibility (does the farmer have the resources and skills to copewith the necessary cultural practices), and3) economic viability (can the proposed practice compete with current landuse).Valid answers to these questions can only be obtained through on-farmresearch designed with a farming systems perspective.ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF RATOONINGThe economic advantages of rice ratooning include (4, 5):• lower production costs resulting from savings in land preparation, transplantingor direct seeding, and crop maintenance during early growth;