GROWING RAINFED GRAINS FOR FOOD SECURITY

 GROWING RAINFED GRAINS FOR FOOD SECURITY

There are two realities I feel compelled to talk about — two facts you probably already know, but I need to say them out loud to clear my conscience. Sometimes, the obvious things are the ones we need to confront the most.

The first reality is this: the rice varieties we are consuming today are heavily dependent on irrigation. This means they need a constant supply of fresh water to survive and thrive. While we may not always think about it, this reliance on irrigation makes rice cultivation increasingly unsustainable — especially in a time when water is becoming scarcer.

The second reality is even more urgent. Freshwater — not just for irrigation but for drinking, cooking, and all aspects of life — is becoming more limited. Many areas in our country already face periodic droughts, and climate change is making this threat worse. We may soon find ourselves asking: do we use our dwindling water to grow rice, or do we save it for drinking and other essential needs? What would you choose?

Here’s another question to ponder: what happens if we manage to produce rice, but we don’t have enough water left to cook it? This may sound far-fetched, but it’s a possibility our leaders must seriously consider if we want true food security.

Speaking of national policies, I wonder if it’s true that Israel made the bold decision to stop growing rice altogether because of its high-water demand. Instead, they shifted to growing crops like oranges, which require far less water and bring in higher profits. The money they earn from exporting oranges helps them import rice from countries with abundant water. Whether or not we follow that model, it’s clear we need to rethink how we manage both our food and water resources.

Let me be clear: I am not suggesting that we should stop growing or eating rice. Rice is part of our culture, our history, and our daily meals. What I am suggesting is that we diversify. Alongside rice, we should start incorporating other grains into our diet — grains that are less water-intensive, and grains that can grow using only rainwater.

The good news is, we already have options. There are rice varieties that don’t need irrigation. Some rainfed varieties, like PSB Rc18 and NSIC Rc194, can thrive with just rainfall. These varieties were specifically developed for rainfed conditions and can even tolerate temporary flooding or drought.

In fact, many grains grow well in rainfed areas — not just rice. Corn, sorghum, and millet are excellent examples of rainfed crops. They grow well in both lowland and upland areas, without requiring irrigation.

This brings me to another point: much of our land is made up of hills and mountains — ideal terrain for upland crops. Upland rice varieties, for example, do not need irrigation at all. They survive purely on rainfall. If we planted more of these upland varieties, we could expand our grain production without adding pressure to our water resources.

One underappreciated grain is Adlai, also known as Job’s Tears. This traditional Southeast Asian crop grows well in both rainfed and irrigated fields. Adlai is nutritious, gluten-free, and has a low glycemic index, making it a healthy alternative to rice. It also has a pleasant, nutty flavor and a chewy texture, perfect for soups, salads, or as a rice substitute.

Another promising option is Quinoa, which I personally enjoy. Technically a seed rather than a grain, quinoa is incredibly versatile and can grow in rainfed or irrigated conditions. It’s high in protein and nutrients, and gluten-free. With a little creativity, quinoa could easily become part of our local cuisine.

But why stop at grains? Root crops like potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, and taro are also excellent rainfed crops. These staples were once dietary mainstays in many regions, and they deserve a comeback — especially in the face of climate change.

How about bread? If we improve our processing capabilities, we could start making bread using local flours from moringa, sweet potatoes, cassava, and taro — reducing our dependence on imported wheat.

Our path to food security does not lie in abandoning rice, but in reducing our vulnerability by embracing diversity. By growing and eating a variety of grains, roots, and seeds, we can ensure that no matter how erratic the rainfall or how limited our water supply, we will still have food on our tables.

In this regard, we should also investigate salt-tolerant grains, especially for coastal communities already affected by saltwater intrusion. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has developed saline-tolerant rice varieties like Salinas 1 and Salinas 9, which thrive even in fields touched by seawater. Varieties like NSIC Rc182 also show great promise.

There’s no single solution to food security but growing rainfed grains — and making sure they find their way to our plates — is a good start. If we begin now, we can build a food system that is more resilient, more diverse, and less dependent on irrigation.

The bottom line? Let’s not wait for a full-blown water crisis to rethink our food choices. Our future meals depend on the decisions we make today — so let’s make them wisely.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

04-12-2025