The introduction of four new varieties of IRRI rice and the implementation of a test of varietal behavior in the WINNER intervention zones began in 2013. The project was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Centre de Recherche National de Madagascar. The objective of the project was to evaluate the performance of the new varieties in the Haitian rice-growing zones.
The selection of the four varieties was based on several criteria, including their characteristics, adaptability to different agro-ecological conditions, and resistance to diseases. The varieties were chosen from those that are cultivated in Madagascar and have a high yield potential. The four varieties selected were X360, X372, X265, and FOFIFA 160, all of which belong to the Indica type and have long grains.
The seeds were collected from the FOFIFA seed multiplication centers in Madagascar and were then purified at the Mahitsy purification service in Antananarivo. The purification process involved inspecting the seeds for any defects, impurities, or foreign matter, and then cleaning them to remove any debris or insects.
Before importing the seeds to Haiti, the Service Quarantaine of Madagascar required a permit from the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture. The permit was obtained, and the seeds were then inspected by the Quarantine Service. The Service recommended a thermothérapique treatment to reduce the transmission of diseases and pathogens, but due to the conditions of production of the seeds, this treatment was not carried out. However, the Service insisted on the need to perform a chimiothérapique treatment, which involved applying a fungicide to the seeds.
The seeds were then treated with a fungicide, Dithane M-45, and an insecticide, Antouka, to eliminate the transmission of diseases and insects. The treated seeds were then imported to Haiti and were used to conduct a multi-location trial to evaluate the performance of the new varieties.
The trial was conducted on two sites, Thomazeau and Montrouis, to capture the different agro-ecological conditions of the Haitian rice-growing zones. A Bloc de FISHER experimental design was used, and the four new varieties were compared with three local varieties, TCS10, Shella, and La Crête à Pierrot. The trial was conducted using two different cultivation methods, the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and the traditional method. Observations were made periodically throughout the crop cycle to evaluate the performance of each variety.
The trial aimed to evaluate the performance of the new varieties in terms of yield, adaptability, and resistance to diseases. The results of the trial will provide valuable information for farmers, researchers, and policymakers to make informed decisions about the adoption of new rice varieties in Haiti.