Climate-smart black rice tested in Northern Rivers

RESEARCHERS are trialling a new climate-smart black rice variety in the Northern Rivers, with hopes it could offer a resilient and sustainable option for local farms.

The project brings together Southern Cross University professor Tobias Kretzschmar, Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak, and The Natural Rice Company.

The research team hosted farmers and industry leaders at a trial plantation site in Gundurimba, where they outlined progress on the three-year project to create a commercially viable local strain.

Initial work since July last year has involved testing more than 400 rice varieties, with an emphasis on climate resilience and reduced emissions.

Black rice is highly nutritious and produces fewer greenhouse gases than traditional varieties.

“It will change the rice industry. It will be more sustainable and climate-friendly,” Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak said.

“For local farmers, it means they have a broader selection of crops to grow.”

Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak said the team was also targeting Rice Blast — a fungal disease that poses a major threat to crops and has already caused significant yield losses across the region this season.

“The incursion now provides opportunity to assess climate-smart black rice varieties, which are more resilient to weather anomalies, for blast-resistance as well.”

“This is an opportunity to understand the extent of the problem and how these new varieties might help growers in our booming local dryland rice industry.”

The Australian Research Council is contributing nearly $418,000 to the project, which runs for three years.