John Schiller, former IRRI agronomist in Laos, passes away

By Gene Hettel

Dr. John M. Schiller, 72, passed away in Brisbane, Australia, on Monday (18 December) of suspected heart failure. For the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), he was the team leader and research programmer of the Lao-IRRI Project for 11 years (1990-2001). He had spent 30 years of his life working in Southeast Asia, primarily in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

Rice value chain stakeholders from India develop change pathways to improve mechanization and postharvest

A two-day workshop on educating stakeholders about ways to reduce losses in harvesting and postharvest operations was held at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The workshop presented an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about ways to improve the quality of paddy, milled rice, and seeds, which in turn can increase incomes of farmers, particularly women, and other chain actors through exploring business opportunities.

Boosting rice production in the face of climate change

The International Food Policy Research Institute forecasts that by 2050, rice prices will increase between 32 and 37% while yield losses could reach between 10 and 15% as a result of climate change.

IRRI Bangladesh joined South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in celebrating its 33rd charter day

Last 10 December 2017, IRRI Bangladesh joined the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in celebrating the 33rd SAARC Charter Day. It was held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and was attended by NARES institutions, international, and private organizations.

Thailand rice industry stakeholders receive training on improved postharvest management

A training on post production rice processing was held in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chai Nat, Thailand, where participants learned about rice milling, best storage practices, and techniques to improve rice quality.

Eastern India Rainfed Lowland Shuttle Breeding Network (EIRLSBN) celebrated 25 Years of research accomplishments

Eastern India Rainfed Lowland Shuttle Breeding Network (EIRLSBN) celebrated 25 years of its establishment and research accomplishment during the recently held annual breeder workshop and shuttle breeding selection activities at National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack on 13-15 November 2017.

Virgilio Carangal, former IRRI agronomist, passes away

Dr. Virgilio R. “Pexy” Carangal, 84, former agronomist (1974-94) at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), passed away due to congestive heart failure on 26 November.
He had been a Filipino plant breeder with an impressive track record in the administration of Philippine public-sector agricultural research when he joined IRRI’s Multiple Cropping Program in 1974. He was tasked with launching and then coordinating the Asian Cropping Systems Network (ACSN).
The concept of networking was new in 1974. The ACSN, under Dr. Carangal’s leadership, broke new ground institutionally since it was the first organization of its kind in international agricultural research. The ACSN, later to become the Asian Rice Farming Systems Network (ARFSN), put a farming systems approach to research into practice. The network’s evolution was a microcosm of the development of conceptual thinking about agricultural research worldwide. This networking model that Dr. Carangal pioneered was widely imitated by other research organizations.
        During his more than 20 years at IRRI, he was a dedicated agronomist who was well loved and respected by research collaborators in more than 30 countries in South and Southeast Asia. He raised substantial funds for cropping systems research under the ACSN/ARFSN umbrella and traveled extensively to monitor collaborative projects. He advocated the integration of crop-livestock farming systems and technology development for different ecosystems.
        He authored/co-authored numerous scientific papers on cropping and farming systems during the 1976-96 period. His 1996 book, with Simon Chater, On Farmers' Fields: Portrait of  a Network, encapsulates his seminal networking projects at IRRI. As pointed out in the book, "with emphasis on training and on fostering collaboration between different countries, the ACSN/ARFSN played a key part in building a stronger regional research capacity—one that was equipped to meet the challenges of feeding a hungry world in the 21st century."
        Dr. Carangal was preceded in death by his wife, Connie. He is survived by daughters Aileen Carney and Aimee Dhakhwa and son Eugene Carangal. His wake will be held at the Zimmerman & Sandeman Memorial Chapel in Oak Lawn, Illinois on Sunday, 10 December. A funeral mass will be held on 11 December at St. Terrence Parish, in Alsip, Illinois.
Colleagues and friends may send their messages of condolence to: pexycarangal@gmail.com.

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