Rice research featured in ASEAN ministers meeting

IRRI showcased its rice research during the Special Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the 36th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) meeting and the 14th AMAF Plus Three meeting in Horizon Lake View Resort, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on 12–14 August 2015.

In his opening speech, Agriculture and Irrigation Minister U Myint Hlaing thanked IRRI for training future rice scientists.

The exhibit featured the various projects and products of the Institute in the country as well as a live display of IRRI-improved varieties tolerant of flooding, drought, and saltwater intrusion released through a close collaboration with the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI), particularly the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR). This has been the second straight year that IRRI was invited by the government of Myanmar, as host of the SOM- AMAF meetings, to participate in an exhibit featuring agricultural research in the country. 

Several high-profile guests visited the exhibit and found the live plant display very interesting. The booth was organized by Dr. Romeo Labios, IRRI scientist and acting IRRI Representative to Myanmar, and were manned by local project staff.

Asian Youth Forum delegates want to improve conditions of young agriculture workers

Dr. Bruce Tolentino talks with participants of the 3rd Asian Youth Forum during their visit to IRRI on 14 August 2015.

Around 120 young people from around the world visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) as part of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 3rd Asian Youth Forum (AYF3) to get an overview of agriculture and IRRI’s contribution to the sector. This year’s AYF3 called on stakeholders “to harness the demographic dividend in Asia through youth participation and engagement in generating and up-scaling of solutions for youth employment” through the theme, Investing in Youth: Engagement, Education, Employment, and Entrepreneurship.

“Looking at youth employment, most young people working in the agriculture sector earn less than USD 1.25,” said Ponce Samaniego, lead youth coordinator for ADB.  “We wanted to look at that dimension of youth in agriculture and how we can improve their conditions.”

IRRI’s Deputy Director General for Communication and Partnerships, Dr. Bruce Tolentino, welcomed the participants, presented some of IRRI’s work, and led an open discussion. The participants, whose ages ranged between 15 and 30, also toured the Riceworld Museum to learn more about rice, its history, culture, and products.

The AYF3 participants were generally impressed with what IRRI does and now have a better understanding of its efforts for food security.

“I was really impressed by the technology input that IRRI is actually giving farmers,” said 19-year-old Anand from Bangalore, India.

Ms. Ham Sae Rom from South Korea was equally impressed. “I’d like to give my warmest thanks to the scientists at IRRI who participate in creating solutions for food security and the food crisis in the world.”

As for what the youth can contribute to the rice sector strategy, Anand phrased it rather well. “A huge way that we can influence the rice output and food security in our country is by creating awareness that agriculture is a vital field for the survival of our planet,” he said. “Everyone relies on farmers. By raising awareness about the issues that we have with food security, I think we would take the first step toward actually obtaining food security.”

ADB’s 3rd AsianYouth Forum was held on 12-13 August in celebration of the 2015 UN International Youth Day. They visited IRRI on 14 August. ADB is partnering with IRRI to develop and disseminate climate-resilient rice varieties and promote water-saving technologies in rice cultivation for drought-prone areas in Asia.

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Next phase of GRiSP is focus of 2015 meeting of Asia rice research body

Dr. Mat Syukur, assistant to the Minister of Agriculture for Innovation and Technology, strikes the gong to ceremonially open the CORRA event as IRRI DDG-R Dr. Matthew Morell and IAARD Executive Secretary Dr. Agung Hendriadi look on. 

Bekasi, Indonesia – Leaders and representatives of national agricultural research institutions from 18 Asian countries gathered for the 19th annual meeting of the Council for Partnerships on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) to discuss the second phase of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP). Participants also examined the relevance of GRiSP to the national rice research and development priorities of member countries and the national rice programs of member countries Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The event concluded with a formal declaration of CORRA’s support for GRiSP Phase 2. The declaration also included a pledge to promote the development of the next generation of rice scientists by encouraging national governments through the ministries of agriculture to fund relevant international programs.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Agung Hendriadi, executive secretary of Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD). IRRI was represented by Dr. Matthew Morell, deputy director general for research, who also co-chaired the meeting.

CORRA is composed of heads of national research institutions from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, plus IRRI. IRRI is also the secretariat of CORRA.

This year’s meeting was held on 3-4 August in Bekasi, Indonesia and hosted by IAARD.

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Role of rice research in feeding half the world’s population in global forum on health

How can rice research help feed 7 billion people? What are the promising innovations for sustainable food production?

The answers to these will be discussed by Robert S. Zeigler, director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), when he addresses delegates to the smarter food production session of the Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health (Forum 2015) on 26 August at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila.

IRRI aims to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure the environmental sustainability of rice farming. As such, IRRI’s research programs directly contribute to providing the world’s growing population with sustainable, nutritious, and high-quality rice varieties while using less land and with lower inputs amidst the challenges of changing climate and limited resources. 

Dr. Zeigler will highlight the role of research and innovation, particularly in rice, which is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population, in achieving food and nutrition safety and security. In particular, IRRI is developing healthier rice varieties that have enriched nutrient-content to help address malnutrition problems in developing countries.

The forum, which will run from 24-27 August, carries the theme People at the Centre of Research and Innovation for Health. Almost 3,000 delegates from 50 countries are expected to participate in more than 70 conference sessions on increasing effectiveness of health research and innovation through social accountability, increasing investments, and country-driven capacity building, and role of research and innovation in improving food and nutrition safety and security, health in mega-cities, and disaster risk reduction. This event is organized by the Council on Health Research for Development, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Health. It will bring together health professionals, policymakers, researchers, academics, and students.

In advance of the global forum, IRRI senior scientist Inez Slamet-Loedin will join a panel of new leaders for health on 23 August , also at the PICC. Dr. Slamet-Loedin will address an audience of young professionals to inspire them to take on careers in science and health.

Other fun and exciting activities including  IT4Health: innovations for global health; a film festival; global health debates, a photo exhibit; and a networking party are also being organized for the participants.

Registration is still ongoing at www.forum2015.org.

For more information, please contact 

Ms. Ladylove May B. Baurile

Tel: (632) 837-7534 

Email: lbbaurile@pchrd.dost.gov.ph

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Outstanding projects on organic vegetable production awarded at SyenSaya 2015

The Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) announced the outstanding agricultural research and development (R&D) projects at SyenSaya 2015.

The winners are projects that focused on improving production of organic vegetables. The University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB) project on variety evaluation, on-farm trials and seed production of organic vegetables in Southern Luzon won in the research category,  and the Bureau of Plant Industry- Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC) project on the development of organic seed production system of lowland vegetables and legumes, and strengthening partnership in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Bicol Region won in the development category.

Recognition was given to Dr. Rodel G. Maghirang and Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan and their respective teams during the awarding and closing ceremony on 14 August at the SEARCA Umali Auditorium in Los Baños.

A highlight of the closing ceremony was the keynote address of Dr. Aimee Lynn B. Dupo, 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology, professor and scientist at the UPLB-Institute of Biological Sciences. Dr. Dupo shared how the Los Baños science community  has served as a nurturing environment in shaping the minds of scientists like her. She emphasized the importance of  the role of the family, school, peers, or a "village" such as the LBSCFI that looks after future thinkers and innovators. "That is what we have done this week in SyenSaya, we sow seeds, and what we reap are our future scientists."

With this year’s theme, Los Baños Science Community: SyenSaya at Kabataan: #WOWTLG! (TLG stands for Technology Leads to Globalization), the 3-day event featured fun programs, a technoforum, and Wonderama exhibit on basic science principles and science appreciation, and application modules on food and agriculture, technology, development, and environment. "One of the major goals of this science community is to inspire the youth to excel in science and technology," said Dr. Casiano S. Abrigo Jr., president of LBSCFI.

LBSCFI celebrates the National Science and Technology week through SyenSaya, the Los Baños Science Festival, which provides a venue for the Los Baños community, especially the youth, to appreciate and understand the role of science in everyday life.

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APEC visit highlights building inclusive global community through rice science

"It takes a global village to do rice science for a better world," said Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general for communication and partnerships of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), to delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) visiting IRRI on 12 August 2015.

The APEC visit was organized as part of the 6th Meeting of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology, and Innovation (PPSTI) that was recently held in the Philippines through its Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

"I was fascinated to see that my economy, New Zealand, does have a variety of rice; I didn't know that before I came here. But even coming from an economy  that doesn't consume or produce a lot of rice, the statistics from IRRI make the importance of rice so clear:  rice is providing 50% of the world's staple and 70% of the diet of the world's poor," said Alex Rogers, program director of APEC-PPSTI.

Minister Malakai Tabar of Papua New Guinea gave a good analogy: "Over three billion people around the world pay worship to rice because it's eaten three times a day." Tabar heads PNG’s Ministry for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. “IRRI is an institute that has made a major contribution in nourishing many families, especially those who live in the rural areas,” he said further. “And the children of many of these families have become successful in their respective professions, thus, contributing to the development of their respective countries.”

“I was overwhelmed by IRRI's research programs and impressed with its genuine efforts to collaborate with other economies and to maintain this strong commitment to improving rice. Just reflecting on these thoughts makes me feel honored to have been able to come to IRRI,” he adds. “Several years back, I had worked in an agricultural college and heard about IRRI, so I had always wanted to visit it.”

"(I think) the steps that IRRI has been taking over the decades it's been in operation are critical, not only to the social and emotional wellbeing of people, but also to economic progress because nutrition sets the platform for economic progress," explained Mr. Rogers.

He also intimated how pleased he was to see how, at times, IRRI was breaking down barriers to get everyone to work together on rice. "This one which you achieved recently between Bangladesh, Nepal, and India to share new rice varieties that they developed amongst themselves—it's great. Cooperation is something we promote in APEC as well. I think today’s visit has been a fantastic opportunity for these officials, from all around the region that are  working on science and technology issues, to really see firsthand the good work you're doing."

Spend more time in the field - IRRI scientist

Scientists should dialogue with farmers and connect with partners to facilitate technology development and adoption.

“How can we work in the diverse rice farming systems of Southeast Asia, especially in unfavorable environments?” asked Yoichi Kato, rainfed lowland agronomist, during his seminar on 14 August at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Dr. Kato explained that drought, flooding, and salinity are some of the climate-related challenges that the rice production systems in the region need to cope with. To address these problems, Dr. Kato’s group has been conducting research on the regulation of plant elongation, nursery management, rice adaptation to soil-water fluctuation, mechanized direct seeding of rice (DSR), and diversified cropping systems.

Some updates and initial results of their research activities include:

• in collaboration with rice breeders, identified some promising genotypes and/or cultivars with short growth duration to cope with limited irrigation periods in the dry season, and genotypes and/or cultivars for dry-seeded rice culture for labor savings;
• regulation of plant elongation plays a pivotal role in stagnant-flooding tolerance in the field; 
• diversified cropping in rice-based systems is the better strategy for flood-prone areas.

But beyond the realm of research, Dr. Kato stressed other important matters he learned from his experience in field-oriented research for development.

Focus on the process rather than the perfect product. Scientists should pay careful attention to the process of introducing a certain idea or technology to farmers rather than focus on developing a perfect product. Farmers are often given straightforward options that they can either accept or reject. Dr. Kato suggested that a product or idea can be “half baked” (60% complete)—not a “complete solution or technology”—when offered to farmers.

“Any product should be reviewed by farmers in the farmers’ fields,” he said. “As experts themselves, farmers have their own idea and opinion on how they could make their crops adapt to stress-prone environments.”

Networks and partnerships are important. In technology development and outscaling, networks of partners and stakeholders play an important function. “IRRI can capitalize and build on its very strong network and links especially with the NARES," Dr. Kato said. “In fact, through this partnership with NARES, IRRI has successfully developed a series of stress-tolerant varieties and have disseminated them to farmers’ field.” Also, through networks and partnerships, the transfer of information and technology can be facilitated. “Here, IRRI can play an important catalytic function,” he added.

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