The Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAP-Ag) programme in Uruguay invited actors and stakeholders of the rice production in Uruguay to discuss and propose the best strategies to adapt to the challenges of climate variability and change. The Adaptation Dialogue for Irrigated Rice Systems was held at the National Agricultural Research Institute Experiment Station in Treinta y Tres on 28 June 2017 with the support of the Association of Rice Farmers in Uruguay.

 During the event the participants investigated what to do, why and how to prepare rice production systems to be better adapted to climate change. It was highlighted that the challenges of rice production are multiple and incorporate dimensions that are not climate driven. However, the rice farmers have extensive experience in strategies to deal with climate and contributed to process of the National Adaptation Plan.

Mr Gonzalo Zorrilla of the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) highlighted two of the main tools for adaptation to climate change: crop rotations and water management. These two techniques contribute greatly to reduce climate vulnerability through improved adaptive capacity and less exposure to climate effects.

However, during the Adaptation Dialogue, it was pointed out that the existing contractual arrangements create vulnerability for tenant rice farmers. These arrangements do not encourage crop rotation practices nor leave space to integrate other crops into rotation. It was pointed out that planting other crops, besides contributing to soil conservation and crop productivity, has additional benefits for weed control that are a restriction for rice production in certain localities. The vision is that integrated rice systems improve income and reduce vulnerability in the face of climatic variations.

During the Adaptation Dialogue participants identified other lines of work to prioritize in the National Adaptation Plan. As an example, there is demand for breeding of cultivars with strong stems and resistance to grain loss near harvest that can reduce the vulnerability to winds and storms and cultivars resistant to pest and disease. Gradual changes in climate may lead to adjustments in cropping schedules, such as earlier planting to take advantage of radiation peaks and higher temperature.

The improvement of forecasting systems and the provision of meteorological information and climate warnings for farmers were also highlighted during the discussion of alternatives for adaptation to climate change. The view is that the current system can be improved. El Niño and La Niña forecast lead to management decisions when impacts are foreseeable, when the predictions are not met; they result in losses for farmers. Another aspect of this issue is that there is a perception that windows for crop operations are being reduced; in this context, better forecasts would be valuable management tools.

Rice farmers have an insurance portfolio available for rice cultivation, however during the Adaptation Dialogue it was stressed that the current system is complex and in the future, it should include indexed insurance to manage climate risks.

Future scenarios regarding rainfall in the country are not clear however, in a context of higher rainfall it was pointed out that the water management strategy has to maximize storage capacity and productivity. Having tools for water management near harvest time would help reduce productivity losses due to flooding and difficulties and delays in harvesting operations.