Technical meeting in Pocrane discusses rescue of floodplain rice cultivation IR 841

The floodplain rice cultivar IR 841 was imported from the Philippines almost 50 years ago, having been tested and recommended by the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG) in 1975. The success of the variety in the municipality of Pocrane (MG), in the Vale of Rio Doce, was so big that the local authorities inserted its name on the city's entrance portico, which reads: “Land of Rice IR”.

To revive the tradition of this cultivation, which has declined considerably since the 1990s, EPAMIG is promoting a free, in-person technical meeting on Thursday (25th), starting at 8am, at the Pocrane Recreational Club.

One of the organizers and speakers at the event, former EPAMIG researcher, Plínio Soares, explains that the production of IR 841 fell due to the subsequent launch of new cultivars. “Over these decades, EPAMIG alone launched another 16 cultivars of floodplain rice, which present better cultivation conditions, such as genetic potential for greater production, as well as greater resistance to diseases and better grain quality. So this ended up keeping some producers away from IR 841 for some time”, says Plínio.

However, the researcher highlights that the production of this rice has been maintained in the Rio Doce Valley, thanks to the region's favorable conditions for its cultivation (hot climate, with plenty of floodable floodplains) and also for cultural reasons. “It is an aromatic cultivar, whose grains, when cooked, have a mild flavor reminiscent of English potatoes, which is widely accepted in the region. The people there really like this flavor and have preserved the cultivation for almost 50 years. We can say that IR 841 integrated local culture”, explains the researcher.

Plínio Soares also remembers that, in 2020, the EPAMIG distributed, free of charge, around 800 kg of IR 841 rice seeds genetically and sanitary purified to Pocrane producers. “In the municipality alone there are more than 50 producers cultivating this variety and they report that they have really enjoyed the variety. So, with each passing year, we see more people joining the process of rescuing this crop.” According to the researcher, the objective of the event, consisting of an official opening, three lectures and a tasting of rice-based delicacies, is to attract new farmers in the region to start cultivating IR 841.

The researcher will give the lecture “History of cultivation and characteristics of IR 841 rice in Minas Gerais”. Afterwards, the extensionist from the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company of the State of Minas Gerais (Emater-MG), Máskio Daros, will give a presentation with the recent and positive results of the cultivar's productive performance in the last three harvests in Pocrane.

Closing the program is EPAMIG Sul researcher Janine Guedes, with the lecture “Special rices in Minas Gerais”. She says she will bring information about other types of special rice, which can be grown in the region and generate new forms of income for farmers. “Their tradition is already the cultivation of special rice, as IR 841 is aromatic. So, my idea is to talk about the nutritional qualities of other specialties, such as red, black and cateto rice, which are highly sought after materials and which already have cultivars adapted for the Pocrane region”, explains Janine.

She highlights new forms of income provided by special rices and talks about the delicacies that will be tasted at the end of the event. “Local city halls have been looking for these special rices to include them in school meals. Therefore, I also intend to address the good financial return that these rices present. Additionally, I prepared IR 841 rice-based white chocolate truffles, which have been quite successful, and thus show other sources of income for small farmers”, concludes the researcher.

In addition to the chocolates, chicken and rice pudding will be served, both with IR 841 in their recipes.

More information by phone (32) 3441-2330 or by email celp@epamig.br.