CIP and IRRI collaborate on CGIAR Seed Equal Initiative workshop for potato crops in Africa

The CGIAR Initiative Seed Equal- Delivering Genetic Gains to Farmers Fields held a workshop in Kenya, Africa to share how the initiative can contribute to developing more effective seed systems for potato crops in the region.

Bangladesh women-led seed producer groups complete end-to-end seed training

The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU), Seed Certification Agency (SCA), an institute under the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture, and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) conducted a hands-on training on rice seed production, processing, storage and certification at the SCA Institute in Gazipur last December 21 and 22, 2022. The goal was to train 70 women ToT (Trainer of Trainees) farmers from different women-led farmers groups. Mr. Aminul Islam, Director of SCA, was the chief guest and Dr. Md. Hasanul Kabir Kamali, Chief Seed Technologist of SCA, was the chairperson. 

ISARC organizes crop residue management workshop

ISARC organized a three-day crop residue management workshop on using a compost turner from 15 to 17 December 2022. The workshop was organized with technical support from Nong Lam University (NLU), Vietnam.

RBI Risk Management officers map out business continuity plans

In an effort to align towards a more efficient business process for 2023, the Risk Management (RM) team of the Rice Breeding Innovations (RBI) platform reconnected to conduct risk assessments and update their business continuity plans during the RM Annual Planning Workshop at the IRRI Guest House on 09 Dec 2022. RM Officers from the different units of RBI participated in the workshop facilitated by IRRI’s Risk Management Unit, led by Senior Manager Marichu Bernardo and Enrico Mercado.

IRRI, RDA hold seed systems training for researchers and extension workers in Asia

In partnership with the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of Korea, the International Rice Research Institute  Education (IRRI Education) implemented a capacity development program on seed production on 23-29 November 2022 at IRRI headquarters in the Philippines.

ISARC conducts Learning and Exposure Visit for BSc Agriculture Students of BHU

Last November, the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi organized and hosted learning and exposure visits for 164 final year Bsc Agriculture students of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) under the Student Ready Programme of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

RDA and IRRI host seed production course for Bangladesh women farmers’ groups

The Rural Development Academy (RDA) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) conducted a training course on seed production, quality control, processing, and marketing for 60 women-led farmers groups on 28 – 29 November 2022 in Bogura District.

The course provided the participating women with classroom and hands-on training on seed production, different seed quality characteristics, processing, storage, packaging, and marketing. Mechanized System Rice Intensification procedure and seed licensing and registration procedures were also covered.

The activity is jointly implemented by RDA and IRRI in northern Bangladesh under the Accelerated Genetic Gain in Rice (AGGRi) Alliance. AGGRi collects robust data and verifies the suitability of promising modern high-yielding rice varieties for specific regions; compares the performance of popular varieties with candidate products; accelerates the expansion of candidate products at the field level, and collects farmers’ feedback.

RDA is a specialized autonomous rural development government institution in Sherpur Upazila in Bogra for training, research, and action research. The institution is officiated with the Rural Development and Co-operatives Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Co-operatives. 

The guests from  RDA Bogura included Director Md Khalid Aurangozeb, Assistant Director Fakar Uddin Talukdar, Additional Director Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun, and Training Director Md. Ferdous Hossain Khan.

Also attending the event were Dr. Daniel Menge, scientist, and Muhammad Ashraful Habib, senior specialist, from IRRI Seed Systems.

District Seed Certification Officer Mr. Shaduzzaman from the Seed Certification Agency, Bogura served as the resource person. The program was moderated by Mr. Md. Mozaharul Haque, RDA  agricultural consultant in Bogura. 

In 2022, The IRRI Bangladesh Seed System Team, in collaboration with other complimenting initiatives, conducted seed production of promising varieties, promoted new varieties in the farmers’ network, and carried out demonstrations through women farmers’ groups formed by IRRI’s networking partners in Bangladesh.

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Farmers in Uttar Pradesh learn about rice wheat systems and digital tools for sustainable rice production

22 November 2022, Varanasi - IRRI South Asia Regional Center (ISARC), Varanasi conducted a one-day capacity development orientation program for farmers and extension workers of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh as a part of collaboration between IRRI & the ‘Jeetega Kisan’ project.

IRRI and BAU hold capacity development training for farmers on climate resilient agriculture

21st November 2022, ISARC, Varanasi: As a part of the ongoing collaboration between IRRI  and Bihar Agriculture University (BAU) under the Climate Resilient Agriculture Initiative of the Government of Bihar, a three day face to face training program centered around rice post-production practices was conducted at IRRI South Asia Regional Center (ISARC), Varanasi from 19 - 21 October 2022.

IRRI scholar takes 1st place at the International Conference in Biology and Biochemistry

His passion for developing and determining nutritionally dense rice paid off when Rhowell Tiozon and his study on rice’s anti-diabetic and cancer properties won first place in a poster competition at the 49th  Philippine Society of Biology and Biochemistry (PSBMB) Annual Convention on 23-26 November.

A multi-stakeholder dialogue on inclusive digital tools for rice sustainability in Vietnam

To provide a platform for dialogue among the stakeholders on the challenges of reaching Vietnamese smallholder farmers with digital tools, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) organized a webinar titled ‘Improving Rice Sustainability through Digital Tools’. Part of the Inclusive Digital Tools to Enable Climate-informed Agroecological Transitions (also known as TRANSITIONS) project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The webinar identified the opportunities for improving access and use of digital tools and tailoring the services to meet the needs of farmers through inclusive co-creation of digital tools in rice production.