IRRI and national partners emphasize strategic collaboration to continue traction in South Asia

Hyderabad, India (April 29, 2025) – In a bid to strengthen regional collaboration, IRRI hosted its annual advancement meeting with partners in South Asia at the ICAR -Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR), Rajendranagar. The event brought together over 100 rice researchers and partners to discuss breeding innovations and recalibrate priorities for the upcoming seasons.

CGIAR-IRRI Strengthens National Partners' Capacity in Advanced Breeding Data Management and Analysis

Hyderabad, India (30 April 2025) — The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) conducted a one-day training on the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) and Biometrical Genetics Workflow (BioFlow) to support national partners in improving breeding data management and analysis.

IRRI and UPLB community members learn about low-GI rice in RBI Field Tour

IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños (May 2, 2025)—This week’s RBI Field Tour highlighted IRRI's efforts in grain quality and nutrition, focusing specifically on low, ultra-low glycemic index (GI), and ultra-low GI high-protein rice varieties. Dr. Nese Sreenivasulu, Principal Scientist of Grain Quality and Nutrition, and his team developed a program that offered participants -- staff from IRRI and the University of the Philippines Los Banos -- a comprehensive “gene-to-globe” experience, showcasing the development of these essential rice varieties. The journey began in the laboratory, moved to the fields where the rice is cultivated, and concluded with a rice-tasting session. 

Co-creating strategies for climate resilience: Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Gender Equality Initiative Learning Labs West Bengal

By Afreen Khan and Ranjitha Puskur

KOLKATA, India (21 April 2025) -- As climate change continues to intensify across Eastern India, farming communities and especially women smallholder farmers, are facing mounting pressures on their lives and livelihoods. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), under the CGIAR GENDER Accelerator Sub Area of Work 1.2, organized a three-day Training of Trainers workshop in Kolkata last April 21–23, 2025. The workshop brought together lead women farmers from West Bengal Learning Labs in North and South 24 Parganas districts, alongside members of key partner organizations such as SEVA, Change Initiatives, PRADAN and ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI).

Cambodia estimates climate footprint in rice fields with IRRI training

May 27, 2025, Phnom Penh, Cambodia - In a crucial step towards a greener future, Cambodian agricultural experts have sharpened their skills in calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice cultivation, thanks to a recent intensive training led by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). This activity is part of the Accelerating Scaling of Low-Emissions Rice in Southeast Asia (AcceLER) project supported by the Global Methane Hub. It aims to empower Cambodia and its neighbors to significantly cut methane emissions from rice farming – a bold 15% by 2030.

ASEAN Member States and Japan Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Tokyo, Japan (March 17-19, 2025) – As greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions drive climate change, which in turn threatens agricultural productivity, the need for timely intervention has become more urgent—especially in regions where rice is a primary source of nutrition.. Key actors came together at the ASEAN-Japan Workshop on Carbon Neutrality, Food Security, and Agricultural Innovation aimed to share strategies for carbon neutrality in agriculture, promote collaboration between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and Japanese companies to co-develop climate-smart solutions and enhance agricultural competitiveness in the ASEAN region through low-carbon practices and technologies. 

Scaling readiness of improved nutrient management in rice through farmer clusters

“Start with the end in mind.” This idea guided the Workshop on Innovation Package and Scaling Readiness (IPSR) for the cluster-based recommendations of Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS). The workshop was held on March 11, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro. As part of the session, participants agreed on an end goal: “By 2028, DA Region 10, along with ATI-RTC 10, local government units (LGUs), NIA, and other partners, aims to reach 80% of rice clusters and get 40% of rice farmers to adopt the cluster-based RCMAS recommendations. This initiative will improve farming practices, boost productivity, and support the sustainability of the rice industry.”