Rural sociologist is guest in researchers’ lunch

Gelia Castillo, rural sociologist and National Scientist of the Philippines, was the guest of the Young Researchers' Lunch group for January.

Dr. Castillo is a former member of the board of trustees of several CGIAR centers and other international development organizations, and is considered the ‘general source of wisdom’ at IRRI. She reminisced and told the young group about the time when the first varieties were being released from IRRI, describing the excitement among farmers.

"Get into the field as much as possible,” she bid the young scientists, “and do not work on your computers all the time." She told them that the new generation of rice scientists has a big responsibility to help farmers increase their yield and profit.

The Young Researchers Lunch is a monthly meeting of scientists at IRRI who are in the early stages of their career. It provides an opportunity for discussions with senior scientists on a range of topics on science, including career paths.

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