On November 25, 2024, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) hosted the biennial meeting for agricultural technology cooperation between the institute and Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA). Dr. Dong-Jin Shin, RDA scientist seconded to IRRI in 2024-2025, stated that the meeting was intended to review the progress of ongoing projects and discuss additional opportunities for potential cooperation.
IRRI Director General Dr. Yvonne Pinto emphasized that “the partnership between IRRI and RDA is critical in addressing the challenges facing agriculture today, and exemplifies the potential that can be unlocked in working together”. Dr. Pinto expressed particular interest in new areas of cooperation, such as the exploration of breeding and industry development for long-grain indica rice to address market demands, research on cold-tolerant rice and climate-adaptive rice varieties, and rice development and dissemination for Africa. She suggested the development of strategic approaches to shape the next steps, in order to align these initiatives for maximum impact. She commended the work of the IRRI Korea Office in driving tangible solutions and defining synergies.
Dr. Ajay Kohli, IRRI Deputy Director General for Research, recalled that in the 1960s and 70s, IRRI provided support for the development of Tong-il rice in Korea. This high-yielding and blast-resistant variety contributed to Korea’s rice self-sufficiency and economic growth. Today, Korea is a major supporter of IRRI in tropical and temperate japonica rice research, especially for countries affected by cold stress. IRRI continues to work with RDA in rice research, such as in the development of a Korea-style long-grain variety.
Dr. Ki-Young Kim, Division Head of the Crop Breeding Division of RDA’s National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), echoed the statements of Dr. Kohli by emphasizing the significant outcomes of RDA’s partnership with IRRI since 1968. Through research collaboration, the joint efforts resulted in the development of the Tong-il variety that contributed to Korea’s food self-sufficiency. Dr. Kim expressed that a stronger partnership between RDA and IRRI is imperative to achieve future goals, which include the development of indica varieties adapted to climate change, and enhancing rice productivity in Africa.
Key topics of discussion
Progress on ongoing projects and activities was reported, particularly on the development of rice varieties for climate change adaptation and emerging market demands (DRVCC project); support for the IRRI-Korea Office and the Temperate Rice Research Consortium (TRRC); the project on stress-tolerant, high-yielding rice varieties suitable for AFACI (Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative of RDA) member countries; and RDA-IRRI cooperation training programs on rice technology.
New areas of continued cooperation were also explored during the meeting. A significant proposal was the promotion of a long-grain rice industry innovation project in Korea. This is in response to the growing demand for health-focused rice with high amylose content (≥23%), which is considered good for diets and diabetes prevention. This project will involve the introduction and development of indica rice germplasm and breeding lines in the Korean environment. Korea’s Tong-il rice variety belongs to indica and is adaptable to temperate regions. However, most Tong-il rice types have lower amylose and shorter grains than typical indica. The project will have a genetic component for the development of rice with low glycemic index (GI), enhanced biotic stress resistance to diseases, and abiotic stress tolerance for cold and salinity.
An important aspect of developing cold tolerance for Africa and South Asia was also proposed. This will begin with trait discovery and deployment to respond to the need for climate change adaptation during the cold seasons.
Finally, Korea’s NICS introduced a breeding facility and methodology for cold tolerance in Korea. Located in the RDA Chuncheon Substation, the facility can accommodate screening for all ecotypes. Chuncheon City is a basin area surrounded by mountains, while the Chuncheon Substation facility is located on a plain at an altitude of 74 meters. The water used for cold tolerance research constantly remains at low temperature as it comes from a reservoir created by Soyang Dam, which has a depth of 200 meters.
In closing, some specific action items were identified, such as the development of handover plans for low GI, salinity tolerance, and biotic stress resistance; development of long grain indica rice for breeding and industry in Korea; focus on the promotion and product development for cold tolerance; and the need to continue and improve relationships between RDA and IRRI to achieve impact on joint research.
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