Innovative technologies turn rice straw from waste into productive uses

CAN THO CITY, Vietnam—Farmers were able to see firsthand the latest technologies that turn rice straw from waste into a useful and renewable resource during a field demonstration at Cuu Long Rice Research Institute (CLRRI) on 1 March.

Although the use of combine harvesters has been a game changer in rice productivity, it leaves behind enormous amounts of rice straw especially in fields using intensive cropping systems. Each year, about 26 million tons of rice straw are left in the vast areas of Can Tho after combine harvesting. Most farmers burn the straw because it is the easiest and quickest method of disposal so that the field can quickly be prepared for planting the next crop.

To give farmers better disposal options, the Postharvest group at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), through the Closing Rice Yield Gaps in Asia (CORIGAP) project, initiated a farm demonstration featuring technologies for gathering rice straw for productive uses. The event was conducted in collaboration with Nong Lam University and the Vietnam National Extension Center.

 “We are pleased to see the progress of mechanized rice production in Vietnam,” said Professor Nguyen Hong Son, director of CLRRI. “This initiative that IRRI started also resonates with our vision to make rice farming environmentally sustainable while helping more farmers.”

Through the demonstration, participants learned more about straw balers, which are machines that collect rice straw scattered across the field. They were able to observe the performance of three locally-manufactured balers and one imported brand. They saw how much straw each baler can collect and how many laborers each baler requires.

A multisectoral forum about rice straw management initiatives in the Mekong Delta was held the next day (2 March). It was locally organized by Vietnam’s National Extension Center led by its director, Phan Huy Thong.

The aim was to discuss how research breakthroughs and extension efforts on rice straw technologies can be improved. The forum attracted extension staff from more than 30 provincial branches of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and extension centers in Vietnam. Representatives from IRRI, private institutions, academe, and research institutes in Cambodia, Germany, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia also attended the forum.

Another group attending the forum represented the private sector including local manufacturers, feedstock company owners, and farmers. Members of this sector saw potential areas for improvement being mushroom production technologies, feedstock, organic fertilizer, and equipment subsidies.

According to Thong, the forum is in line with the country’s policy direction on the elimination of rice straw burning in the field.

CORIGAP initiated the rice straw collection business model in 2013, which has led to more rice straw-related activities and the establishment of a rice straw management Learning Alliance in Vietnam.

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Healthier rice to combat hidden hunger, says expert

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Genetically modified rice varieties that contain high iron, high zinc, and beta carotene could play an important role in reducing micronutrient deficiency that affects more than 2 billion people around the world.

Golden Rice Network Coordinator Violeta Villegas underscores the role of genetic engineering in making rice healthier to combat micronutrient deficiency or hidden hunger during her presentation on food production technologies for sustainable agriculture during the annual convention of the Nutritionists-Dieticians' Association of the Philippines (NDAP), held 24-26 February at the Royal Garden Hall and Convention Center.

“The unique advantage of genetic modification lies in its ability to incorporate novel genes with useful traits into new rice varieties,” said Villegas. “These include genes from plants and organisms unrelated to rice that could not be transferred using other breeding methods. Also, it greatly increases accuracy in incorporating genes—and only those genes—for desired traits into a rice variety.”

Golden Rice is a genetically modified rice that contains beta carotene that is being developed as a potential new food-based approach to improve vitamin A status. In the Philippines, about 1.7 million children aged 6 months to 5 years and around a half million pregnant and nursing women are vitamin A-deficient, according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI). The Golden Rice project is currently generating and analyzing data to support future applications. So far, both agronomic and laboratory data look very promising.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the coordinating institution for the Golden Rice Network and has been working to develop Golden Rice with national partners since 2006.

IRRI is also developing rice varieties that are rich in iron and zinc to alleviate deficiencies in these two micronutrients. FNRI reports that 22% of Filipino infants and preschool children suffer from zinc deficiency and 25% of pregnant women are anemic due to low iron.

Recently, genetically modified rice with high levels of iron and zinc has been developed. Scientists from IRRI and partner research institutions have succeeded in increasing iron and zinc levels in polished rice up to 15 micrograms per gram and 45.7 micrograms per gram, respectively. These levels fulfill 30% of the estimated average requirement (EAR) in humans.

In addition to the presentation of IRRI’s ongoing research on healthier rice, an exhibit showed the importance and status of the Institute's research work on combating hidden hunger around the world.


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Heirloom rice from the Cordillera Region featured at food and agriculture exhibit

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Heirloom rice varieties from the Cordillera Region are being featured through 4 March in a public exhibit promoting outstanding agriculture technologies and products at the headquarters of  the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

“The exhibit is giving the public a chance to learn about our traditional heirloom rice varieties and to support the Heirloom Rice Project (HRP), which is helping farmers in the Cordilleras,” explained Paul Hilario, curator of Riceworld Museum at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The exhibit features a rice-tasting activity in which participants can experience the superb cooking quality of the heirloom rice varieties.

HRP is a joint initiative of the Philippine Department of Agriculture and IRRI under the country’s Food Staples Sufficiency Program.

The exhibit, Strategic Industry Science & Technology Program for Agri-Aqua Growth (SIPAG FIESTA), is showcasing the best products and services that Philippine agriculture has to offer.

 “We believe in our science and technology workers—scientists, engineers, inventors, among other,” said  Secretary Mario G. Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). “When we empower them, especially with guided and directed research, they become more capable of generating work and products at par with most of the world, The more we empower them, the better we can engage them in the work of science and technology in nation building and improving individual lives.”

Organized by DOST-PCAARRD, 15 regional consortia and 13 agencies, including IRRI, are taking part in SIPAG FIESTA

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Nagoya University professor and director of international cooperation joins the IRRI Young Researchers' Lunch

In February, the Young Researchers' Lunch hosted Dr. Akira Yamauchi, professor at the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences and director of the International Cooperation Center for Agriculture Education (ICCAE) at Nagoya University. His research interests include the plant-root relationship with emphasis on the development and function of roots.

Yamauchi has a long history of collaboration on root research with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). In rice, his group has conducted pioneering studies on root growth plasticity and stress response. He also has a long track record of training Filipino students and is currently facilitating international cooperation for development as ICCAE director. Yamauchi visited IRRI with a group of students participating in Nagoya University's Women Leaders Program to Promote Well-being in Asia.

Lunch participants were Janine Kaye Vitto, Benedick Labaco, Hongyan Liu, Jean Melgar, Celymar Angela Solis, and Satyen Mondal.

The monthly lunch is for IRRI's nationally recruited staff and members of the Association of Fellows, Scholars, Trainees, and Residents of IRRI (AFSTRI) who are in the early stages of their career. It provides an opportunity for discussions with senior scientists on a range of topics including science and career paths.


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More Asian rice farmers to benefit from CORIGAP technologies

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia—More farmers in Southeast Asia will benefit from integrated crop and natural resource management approaches in major rice-based systems.

Research efforts and strategies for large-scale dissemination and promotion of technologies and interventions on integrated crop and natural resource management to help rice farmers in irrigated conditions are the foci of the 3rd Annual Review and Planning Meeting of CORIGAP or Closing rice yields in Asia with reduced environmental footprint in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 23-25 February.

“This meeting has clearly shown that CORIGAP is making a huge contribution towards maintaining regional food security,” stated Dr. Abdelbagi Ismail, acting deputy director general for research at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). “The project is showcasing better technologies and innovations to overcome the challenges of climatic extremes, increasing population size, and limited water resources.”

“The event is an excellent forum to highlight the collaboration of IRRI and national partners in the six countries where we work: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and Myanmar,” said Dr. Grant Singleton, CORIGAP coordinator and IRRI principal scientist. Through this meeting, we were able to promote key outcomes from the project, and continue to align our plans for the future activities of CORIGAP with national priorities.”

 “CORIGAP is highly relevant in increasing productivity and obtaining higher profitability through targeting yield gaps of rice,” said Dr. Carmen Thoennissen, senior adviser at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Funded by SDC, CORIGAP is a regional consortium led by IRRI on developing and demonstrating best crop management approaches for improving irrigated rice farming in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The meeting brought together IRRI scientists and staff, as well as country partners from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and Myanmar. The Yogyakarta Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technologies (AIAT) hosted the event.

High-level Indonesian government officials present at the meeting were Dr. Hasil Sembiring, director general of the Directorate of Food Crops; Dr. Muhammad Prama Yufdy, acting executive secretary of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development; Dr. Ali Jamil, director of the Indonesian Center for Rice Research and member of the CORIGAP advisory committee; Dr. Harmanto, director of South Sumatra AIAT; and, Dr. Sudarmaji, director of Yogyakarta AIAT.
The participants visited project sites at Prambanan subdistrict, where CORIGAP technologies such as the integrated crop management, alternate wetting and drying, and legowo drum seeder were demonstrated in farmers’ fields.

In relation to the event, a press conference held at AIAT generated a lot of interest from the media, especially on the issue of environmental sustainability. The panel of interviewees included Dr. Thoennissen; Dr. Yufdy; Dr. Ismail; Dr. Singleton; Dr. Sudarmaji; and, Dr. David Johnson, CESD division head. Throughout the meeting, scientists and partners of the CORIGAP project were interviewed by the media.

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UP Open University showcases artworks from Paete, Laguna

Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso (in red) and Ann Yom Steel, IRRI’s Strategic Planning head (in black) during the opening of Silip Paete. Also in photo are IRRI Communication’s Antoinette Caballero (right) and Priscilla Grace Cañas (left). Photo by: Christopher Gapuz, IRRI

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—An art exhibit that highlights the incredible abilities of artists from a town famous for its wood carvings is currently open for viewing at Galeria Sinag at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Community Hub.

Silip Paete: Sculpture and Painting Exhibition features 49 artworks by Angelito and Lell Baldemor, Joseph and Jayson Bañez, Danilo Cads, Bayani Rey Acala, Glenn Cagandahan, Phaern Afurong, Edgar Driodoco, Ernesto Cagayat, Oddette Monfero, Christine Aquilo, Melecio Baysauli, Ronnel Cainto, and Edward Dave.

The beautifully hand carved and painted Koi 

by Paete artist Jai Bañez. (Photo by Christopher Gapuz, IRRI)

Their creations—wood carvings, sculptures, and paintings—cover a wide array of subjects that appear random. These are united, however, by the extraordinary skills of the artists. The art pieces generate a melody of visual energy, both soothing and vibrant. One needs to be there to appreciate the santan or Ixora flowers, meticulously carved in wood and brought to life by bursts of colors; delicate koi ponds that exude the tranquility of the real thing; and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.  There are also the fantastical handiworks that seamlessly fit in Tolkien's imaginary world: majestic wild horses running like the wind, whimsical tree houses inhabited by fairies and elves, as well as a dragon in a fierce and hostile stance.

The event is organized by UPOU’s Cultural Committee, headed by Dr. Prime Garcia, and the Banhay Kulay Paete Artist Guild, led by Mr. Joseph Bañez. UPOU has been hosting competitions and exhibits, wood carving workshops and forums for local wood carvers since 2013.

“These events provide an avenue where everyone can appreciate the wood carvers’ art pieces depicting Filipino culture and the ways of life in local communities,” said Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, chancellor of UPOU. “Through these artworks, may we realize that Filipino artists are truly gifted and are more than capable of producing obras, which are truly world-class.” UPOU also aims to help build and strengthen networks among artists and give them an opportunity to market their works, Alfonso added.

Banhay Kulay Paete Artist Guild has been a UPOU partner since 2015 and nurtures established and upcoming talents of Paete. Paete in Laguna is widely hailed as an artistic hotspot, particularly for its excellent woodcarvings. In fact, the town's name is derived from the Tagalog word for chisel.
"Some of our members left their high-paying jobs abroad,” said Jayson Bañez, who leads the guild. “They chose to return to Paete to practice their art."

Silip Paete: Sculpture and Painting Exhibition is open to the public until 21 March.

IRRI Communication intern Christopher Gapuz (left) and Paul Hilario, 
curator of the IRRI Riceworld Museum.

 (Photo by A. Santiaguel, IRRI)

Nestor Cagayat found his inspiration in a crowd of rowdy inebriated menfolk for this complex and 
intricately carved Mabo-boteng usapan.(Photo by Christopher Gapuz, IRRI)

Members of the Banhay Kulay Paete Artist Guild at the opening of Silip Paete exhibit. (Photo: UPOU)

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Thailand and IRRI deepen collaborative research agenda

(Left to right, front row) Alongkorn Kormtong, Anan Suwannarat, Bruce 

Tolentino, and Suthad Setboonsarng discuss with other officials behind
them further collaboration between Thailand and IRRI.

BANGKOK, Thailand—During a meeting at the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on 16 February, Thailand and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) agreed to expand their partnership through more collaborative research activities.

The research agenda was discussed with the Thai Rice Department (TRD). Present were TRD Director General Anan Suwannarat, Deputy Director General Alongkorn Kormtong, and other TRD officials. IRRI was represented by V. Bruce J. Tolentino, IRRI deputy director general for communication and partnerships, and Suthad Setboonsarng, member of the IRRI Board of Trustees.

“We have achieved great strides in strengthening the relationship between TRD and IRRI by working on more collaborative research projects,” said Tolentino.

Thailand and IRRI have been working together for many years through the institute’s partnership platforms such as the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE), the Closing Rice Yield Gaps in Asia with Reduced Environmental Footprint (CORIGAP), the project on RemoteSensing-Based Information and Insurance for Crops in Emerging Economics (RIICE), the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER), and Rice Multi-Environment Varietal Testing (MET).

The research partnership was further forged with eight more research and development collaborations as a result of  the TRD–IRRI Work Plan Meeting held at Thailand Rice Research Institute in November 2014. These R&D projects and courses include:

1.  Dissecting the genetic architecture of rice yield components, grain quality, pest resistance, and root traits through genome-wide association studies.

2.  Evaluation of methane emissions from paddy fields using the denitrification-decomposition model and GIS tool.

3.  Enhancement of water-use efficiency for rice growth in irrigated areas.

4.  Utilization of PCR-based markers for detection of rice quality traits.

5.  Development of improved field diagnostic kits for multiple rice viruses.

6.  Training course on ecological management of rodents, weeds, insects, and birds in rice  agroecosystems.

7.  Training course on rice production technology.

8.  Training course on rice seed production, testing, and certification.

Moreover, TRD and IRRI are working together on two project proposals on developing learning and technology transfer in Thai rice through the Thai Rice Knowledge Bank and training and demonstration on laser land leveling.

“Additional good news is that the Royal Thai Government has provided initial funding for collaborative research,” said Tolentino, “Priorities are being decided on,and financing mechanisms are being ironed out.”

To establish IRRI’s long-term presence and research program in Thailand, discussions are now moving toward the signing of a Host Country Agreement between Thailand and IRRI. The collaboration between Thailand and IRRI started in 1960 when IRRI was established. Thailand has been a constant supporter of IRRI’s research agenda.

Read more about the 56-year Thailand-IRRI partnership.

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