Japanese farmers have discovered a rice variety that is resistant to hot weather.
As temperatures rise in Japan, rice production in major growing areas has declined and the quality of rice grain has also been affected, leading to a 25-year low in rice stockpiles, according to official data.
This has led to increased demand for rice, partly due to this year’s record-breaking inbound tourism. Supermarkets across the country have struggled to stock up on rice in recent months, with some even setting quotas on what customers can buy.
Local governments in Saitama, a prefecture north of Tokyo, one of the hottest regions in the country, hope science can prevent future shortages and are pushing for a number of national projects to develop more durable rice. High heat disrupts the starch accumulation in rice grains, making the rice appear opaque, with white spots and unattractive to human consumption, and also affecting the crop’s market value.
The Saitama Agricultural Technology Research Center has taken seeds from all over Japan, cultivated them, and cross-pollinated them to create a more durable variety. The result is “Emihokoro,” a new rice variety that is more heat-resistant.
The ministry said switching to high-temperature resistant rice varieties is the most important measure to address the impact of climate change on rice crops and future shortages.
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