Colombia has introduced a novel agricultural innovation aimed at transforming rice cultivation across the nation. The new variety, named Sicalis SH CL, is herbicide-resistant and is the result of a collaboration among Alianza Bioversity International & CIAT, Semillas del Huila, and BASF. This initiative seeks to provide farmers with an effective tool to manage red rice, a significant threat to the productivity of the agricultural sector.
The Sicalis SH CL variety, developed under the Clearfield® Production System, marks a technological advancement that integrates productivity, quality, and sustainability. According to the developers, this certified seed retains the agronomic traits of local varieties favored by farmers while adding herbicide resistance. This innovation simplifies weed control without compromising profitability.
Paola Andrea Mosquera, leader of the rice research program at Alianza Bioversity & CIAT, explained, “The process was designed to maximize the preservation of the traits that farmers are already familiar with, incorporating only herbicide resistance. Our mission as an alliance is to bring cutting-edge science and technology to local producers, making innovations like this more accessible and useful by adapting them to each country”s context.”
The release of Sicalis SH CL is the culmination of a collaborative effort among well-established institutions. Alianza Bioversity & CIAT has over fifty years of leadership in rice research for Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing valuable scientific expertise. Semillas del Huila, known for its high-yield varieties such as Yacuá and Tucano, provided its marketing and field validation experience.
BASF, a global leader in agricultural solutions, developed the Clearfield® technology, which allows for the incorporation of herbicide resistance through conventional breeding processes. This system has emerged as a crucial tool for sustainable weed management, helping to reduce excessive use of agrochemicals while promoting soil and water conservation.
According to Carlos Campos, who leads the Rice Cultivation System for the Pacific region of Latin America at BASF, “We are confident that this new variety will become a highly effective tool to tackle challenges related to productivity, profitability, and the management of red rice and other hard-to-control weeds. We have created a partnership between BASF, Semillas del Huila, and the Roa Florhuila Organization (ORF) to deliver the technology efficiently and promptly to farmers in various rice-growing regions of the country.”
The Sicalis SH CL variety has been validated in different environments across Colombia and has demonstrated good agronomic performance in key production areas. Farmers like Hernán Silva from the Vilú community in Yaguará (Huila) have already experienced its benefits. Silva stated, “I have been working with certified seeds for nearly two years in coordination with agronomists from Semillas del Huila, and the results have been very positive. This is my second harvest with the new variety, and I have achieved excellent production, yielding between 140 and 150 bags per hectare. Additionally, I have managed to save on spraying and produce higher quality rice.”
Field results have also been promising outside of Colombia. Trials conducted in Peru, Panama, and the Dominican Republic showed favorable yields, suggesting potential regional adoption of the technology. Consequently, this variety could significantly enhance food security in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in areas where weed control hampers production.
Beyond yield, developers emphasize that the success of Sicalis SH CL relies on the responsible use of the technology. Herbicide resistance should be managed under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), which include crop rotation and proper herbicide management to prevent the emergence of resistance and ensure the long-term sustainability of the system. Luis Fernando Martínez, director of BASF Solutions for Agriculture in the Pacific region of Latin America, explained, “The technological development offered by Sicalis SH CL combines the advantages and benefits of highly productive germplasm with herbicide resistance, utilizing advanced breeding techniques to ensure seed stability and benefits across various agro-ecological zones.”
