Abu Dhabi: IRRI takes part in global forum for agriculture

The latest innovations and solutions for sustainable agriculture were showcased at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) held last week in Abu Dhabi.

The forum had the theme, Driving innovation for an agricultural revolution, and was attended by around 1,000 scientists, innovators, investors, suppliers, and policymakers from all over the world, sharing ideas and planning ways to work with one another.

Featured during the event was research on stress-tolerant rice varieties, particularly on flood-tolerant rice, a presentation on which was prepared by Abdelbagi Ismail, IRRI principal scientist and leader of the Stress-Tolerant Rice for Africa and South Asia (STRASA) project. The presentation was delivered by Rona Niña Rojas-Azucena, IRRI communication specialist, on Dr. Ismail’s behalf.

IRRI also showcased its other key products and programs through an exhibit as part of the CGIAR Consortium.

Keynote speakers were Frank Rijsberman, CGIAR CEO; Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Mark Post, the scientist behind the Google-funded lab burger; and Andras Forgacs, pioneer in cultured meat and leather.

“History shows us that the most effective route to keeping global food prices low is to massively increase investment in agricultural innovations,” said Dr. Rijsbermann in his speech, adding that the Arabian Gulf countries should redirect their focus toward agricultural innovations to strengthen food security.

In his video address, Bill Gates, whose foundation supports the STRASA project, said that investments in agriculture are the best weapons against hunger and poverty in a world where most of the poorest are farmers. “In short, if you care about the poorest, you care about agriculture,” said Mr. Gates.

The conference was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the UAE and minister of presidential affairs. Rashid bin Fahad, the minister of environment and water, announced on behalf of Sheikh Mansour the launch of the Sheikh Zayed Prize for Pioneering Innovation in Agriculture.

The forum was held on 3-5 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

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Book-reading sessions held for local schools

IRRI ‘s Partnerships Office held storytelling sessions for fourth-grade students of two elementary schools in Bay, Laguna, on 11 February 2014. The activity aims to increase awareness among young children of the important processes involved in rice production.

The children’s book Gabby Ghas was read during the storytelling sessions. The book tells the story of a tiny grain of palay who wanted to know his place in the world. He goes on a journey during which he encountered seedlings, weeds, predatory insects, and pesticide officers who were tasked to protect rice plants from harm. The interactive and lively storytelling was done by Oscar “Kuya Pong” Garcia.

The activity was held through a partnership among IRRI, the Department of Education, and AsiaRice Foundation. The IRRI spouses’ club (SUHAY) supports the storytelling sessions by providing free snacks for the children.

IRRI donated 10 copies each of Gabby Ghas to the libraries of the two schools.

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IRRI hosts local community leaders

IRRI hosted a get-together with the mayors and other local officials of the municipalities of Los Baños and Bay on 5-6 February 2014 to further strengthen the Institute’s relations with its local community leaders and partners.

Robert Ziegler, IRRI director general, welcomed the guests, noting the talent, dedication, work ethics, expertise, and unique contributions of IRRI’s Filipino staff to rice research and to the Institute’s mission of feeding the world and protecting the environment.

V. Bruce J. Tolentino, deputy director general for communication and partnerships, gave the briefing on IRRI's global research activities, opportunities, and programs that support agriculture. He declared that IRRI will continue keeping good relations with communities such as Los Baños and Bay through partnerships and emergency assistance.

Julian Lapitan, head of IRRI’s Partnerships Office, discussed the roles and importance of IRRI for the Philippines’ Food Staples Sufficiency Program and in rice production.

Mayor Caesar Perez of Los Baños acknowledged IRRI’s contributions to the livelihood and economic programs of both Los Baños and Bay.

The Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) of both municipalities shared during the meeting about their problems on and progress in agriculture.

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Tamil Nadu: Farmers learn about new planting method that saves them labor and water

A field day was held last week on machine-transplanted non-puddled rice (MTNPR), a technology that may soon provide an alternative for rice farmers who face labor and water scarcity.

MTNPR is a crop establishment method that can lower labor and energy needs as well as the amount of water needed for land preparation.

The director of the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI) cited labor and water scarcity as major challenges for rice farmers in the Cauvery Delta and pointed to MTNPR as a probable alternative strategy to overcome these.

The head of the Soil and Water Management Research Institute in Thanjavur, where the field day was held, added that because MTNPR takes less time to do than conventional methods, it would thus make crop establishment possible within the recommended planting window. It also reduces input costs for labor, energy, and water in the range of US$120 per hectare.

The Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project team in Tamil Nadu organized the event, which included a demonstration of the use of MTNPR, together with dry-seeded rice, on more than 50 hectares of farmers’ fields during the 2013-14 wet season. About 100 farmers from the Cauvery Delta witnessed yield comparisons between wet season rice crops established through MTNPR and by mechanical transplanting with conventional puddling.

Farmers who had adopted these methods in their fields and had moved into providing services for crop establishment also shared about their experience with other farmers.

The event was also attended by university scientists, agricultural extension officers, agricultural service providers, and representatives of NGOs and other organizations.

Members of Philippine justice academy visit IRRI

A group from the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) was at IRRI on 7 February to learn about the Institute's work and explore its facilities.

IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler welcomed the twenty-one delegates led by Justice Adolfo Azcuna, PHILJA chancellor and former justice of the Supreme Court. The group was given an overview of IRRI's mission, research activities, and products as well as its strict adherence to national biosafety regulations. Members of the group also had the chance to speak with some scientists on the areas of biotechnology, genetic diversity, grain quality, and nutrition during their tours of the research laboratories.

Photos of the visit  


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Aquaporin scientist joins the Young Researchers' Lunch for February

IRRI's monthly meeting of young researchers hosted Dr. Doan Luu, molecular plant physiologist and senior scientist of the aquaporin group of Biochemistry and Molecular Plant Physiology in Montpellier, France.

Dr. Luu talked about His work on root hydraulic Conductance and aquaporin function, as well as about the research system in France and opportunities available for young scientists.

The February lunch meeting, held on 5 February 2014, was joined by Andrea Lazaro, Julius Ver Sagun, Hedia Tnani, Ronald Tapia, Camil Diaz, Mignon Natividad, and Alexandre Grondin.

The Young researchers Lunch is a monthly meeting of scientists and IRRI who are in the early stages of THEIR career. It provides an opportunity for discussions with senior scientists on a range of topics on science, including career paths.


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Bangladesh: IRRI to lead postharvest loss reduction plan

 The US Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announced Feed the Future’s Innovation Laboratory for the Reduction of Postharvest Loss, an initiative that seeks to promote postharvest solutions across various regions.

The ‘innovation lab’ seeks to help farmers of various crops find the best way to reduce postharvest losses, and specifically targets Ghana, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Bangladesh. IRRI is the lead implementing partner in Bangladesh for rice. It was launched at a meeting hosted by Kansas State University, one of seven US universities involved, on 27-28 January.

“Having IRRI lead the rice postharvest component in Bangladesh under this new multi-crop and multi-country initiative is exciting,” says Alfred Schmidley, IRRI’s business model and value chain specialist. “Using an integrative learning approach with postharvest stakeholders, we can address losses both at the farm and commercial chain levels and thus improve food security and incomes of households and other actors in the postproduction chain.”

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