IRRI hosts CGIAR system-wide workshop on BRS Shared Services for Asia

From November 12–14, 2024, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) hosted the CGIAR Breeding and Research Services (BRS) Shared Services Workshop for Asia at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.

Organized by the CGIAR Breeding Resources Initiative (BRI) and IRRI Rice Breeding Innovations (RBI) Department through the IRRI Genotyping Services Laboratory (GSL), the workshop brought together experts, stakeholders, and partners to foster collaboration and enhance understanding of BRS capacities and services.

A participant shares his insights with workshop participants.

Over the three-day event, attendees engaged in a series of presentations, interactive sessions, and discussions led by experts in breeding, genotyping, digital solutions, business process management, elemental analysis, and trialing and nursery. The workshop served as a platform for building stronger networks among National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), which will ultimately contribute to enhanced breeding efficiency and outcomes in Asia.

The  workshop aimed to:

• Introduce BRS Services – Provide a comprehensive overview of the BRS portfolio, highlighting the resources and tools available to support breeding programs.
  
  
• Make accessible resources – Equip participants with practical guidance on utilizing these services effectively.
  
  
• Share best practices – Facilitate the exchange of proven strategies and insights from BRS and its partners to drive innovation in breeding practices across the region.

Participants during a tour of various facilities in IRRI Headquarters.

Here are some of the feedback from workshop participants:

• “Our institute works on vegetable crops, fruit crops, fiber and industrial crops, and other indigenous crops. Our team particularly focuses on banana improvement. We are grateful to know more about BRS and are excited to take part in this endeavor. We can finally access these modern tools to help us in our research.” - Roanne Gardoce, Philippines
  
  
• “I have learned that CGIAR including IRRI performs research services especially for breeding. This service will make research easier. If you think about buying a machine or elements, it is very expensive. If you have a small project, you can't buy the machine. Through the BRS effort, we can send samples to CGIAR.” - Phanthasin Khanthavong, Laos
  
  
• “The workshop is a good experience for us, especially in our country, because we need to improve our rice breeding system because in Central Asia we have some problems with water resources.” - Abdurashid Abibullaev, Uzbekistan

Workshop participants receiving their Certificates of Participation.

IRRI RBI Interim Department Head Dr. Sankalp Bholsale was delighted to host this significant event. “This workshop reaffirms IRRI’s commitment to strengthening research collaborations and fostering impactful solutions for agricultural advancement in the region.”

More photos of the workshop can be found here.

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