Odisha Government and IRRI to promote climate-resilient rice varieties to reduce losses from natural calamities

In the Indian state of Odisha, rice is synonymous with food. Unfortunately, the state is also vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Odisha’s agriculture sector is already experiencing delayed monsoon and prolonged dry season, increased frequency of heavy rainfall and strong cyclones, and higher average temperatures. All of these contribute to lower rice productivity.

To help mitigate the impact of climate change, representatives of the state government and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) signed a memorandum of understanding to promote high-yielding, stress-tolerant, and climate-resilient rice varieties in the rainfed areas of Odisha. The partnership will also focus on developing modern and appropriate management practices for both rainfed and irrigated systems.

 “With frequent natural calamities causing huge loss in the agriculture sector, the government hopes IRRI would come up with new technology to produce more stress-tolerant paddy that would be helpful for farmers,”said Mr. Rajesh Verma, Odisha’s principal secretary Agriculture. “Besides, more efficient and cost effective nutrient management technologies would be available to the farmers.” This collaboration would further explore science-based crop insurance system at a reasonable cost, Verma added.

Naveen Patnaik, chief minister of Odisha agreed. "This would help in developing high-yielding varieties that can cope with adverse climatic conditions and paddy seeds that can be grown even under drought and flood conditions,” he said.

In addition, the collaboration also strengthens cooperation in the field of research, development, training, improvement of production technology of rice and extension.
"We will provide better flood and drought-resistant seeds, manage post-harvest activities, increase capacity building of rice scientists, progressive farmers and agriculture officials and dissemination of other technical know-how," said Matthew Morell, IRRI deputy director general for research

Commissioner of Agriculture Pramod Meherda and Morell signed agreement on 3 October in the presence of Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik, Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy, Chief Secretary Gopal Chand Pati, and other senior officials.  IRRI scientists Dr. A. M. Ismail, Dr. U. S. Singh, and Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, were also present during the event.


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IRRI rice genomics scientist wins Yunnan Friendship Award

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) rice genomics senior scientist Kenneth McNally recently
received the 2015 Yunnan Friendship Award. The award covers development in all sectors, including agriculture, industry, technology, medical care, culture, and education. Set up in 1997, it is given annually to foreign experts for their contributions to the social and economic development of the Yunnan Province in China.

The Yunnan Friendship Award is the highest honor given to foreigners in Yunnan.

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Japan and IRRI launch project to aid climate forecasting for farmers

A new project that aims to maximize rainfed rice production through efficient natural resource management based on seasonal climate prediction was launched under the IRRI-Japan Collaborative Research Project (IJRCP) on 1 October.

Climate Change Adaptation through Development of a Decision Support tool to guide Rainfed Rice production (CCADS-RR) will address existing constraints in local rice production in Southeast Asia through the Weather-Rice-Nutrient integrated Decision Support System (WeRise).

CCADS-RR is the succeeding project of  the Climate Change Adaptation in Rainfed Areas (CCARA),  which ended on 30 September. CCARA developed the WeRise, a seasonal climate forecast-based app that provides farmers crucial weather information such as start and end of the rainy season during the cropping season and the distribution of rainfall.

“Throughout human history, predicting, understanding and responding to weather have been farmers’ biggest challenges,” said Dr. Sarah Beebout, deputy division head of the Crop and Environmental Sciences Division. “Now, we have the technology to significantly help.”

The app that also gives farmers options on the optimum planting times, which variety to plant, and the timing of fertilizer application under current and future climate conditions. One hundred fourteen trainers in Indonesia and Laos have attended training on using WeRise to facilitate technology dissemination.

During the final workshop of CCARA on 4 September at IRRI headquarters Dr. Akinori Oshibe, program director of the environment and natural resource management of the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), recognized the development of adaptation technology as one of the most relevant agricultural research areas.

At the same event, Keiichi Hayashi, CCARA project coordinator, presented the project concept, planning implementation, and local coordination for CCADS-RR. Dr. Hayashi continues his role as the coordinator of CCADS-RR project.

CCADS-RR collaborators Dr. Zulkifli Zaini, representative and liaison scientist in Indonesia, and Dr. Ali Jamil, director of the Indonesian Center for Rice Research (ICRR), presented the national strategy and on-going researches in Indonesia. They also identified the steps and various stakeholders that could help facilitate the mainstreaming of the research outputs of CCADS-RR in Indonesia’s national agricultural programs.

Dr. Maria Excelsis Orden, professor and division chief of the socio-economic research and development communication division of Central Luzon State University and CCADS-RR Theme 3 leader, discussed the importance of impact pathway for WeRise, its various adoption pathways, and what needs to be done to create outcomes, impacts, and benefits.

Dr. Satoshi Uchida, head of JIRCAS’ social science division, explained the importance of a dynamic rice production potential area map and the methodology for the development of the map. Dr. Toshichika Iizumi, researcher of the agro-meteorology division of the National Institute of Agro-Environmental Sciences, presented evaluating weather indices during key phase of rice production derived from seasonal climate forecast.

Apart from WeRise, CCARA developed seven rice lines with high-yield potential and seven lines with the early-morning flowering trait as part of its breeding component. Rice is most susceptible to heat stress at the flowering stage. Shifting the time of flowering to early morning, when the temperature is cooler, can mitigate the effect of heat stress.

Organized by IRRI and JIRCAS, 35 collaborators and observers from Indonesia, Japan, Laos, and the Philippines attended the workshop. A stakeholders meeting was also held on 10 September in ICRR, Sukamandi, Indonesia.

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Ernie Nunn, former IRRI Director of Operations —the “Gentle Bear”—passes away

Ernest Wesley Nunn passed away on 28 September 2015, just a few weeks short of his 83rd birthday, in LaFayette, Alabama.

A native of Rome, Georgia, USA, Dr. Nunn spent 12 years working for the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in various capacities, the longest as Director of Operations at headquarters (1989-95). During this period, “Ernie”, as he was known by all, oversaw the largest renovation of IRRI’s facilities since its creation in 1960.

He also represented IRRI as part of the All-India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (1971-73) and as a research development specialist in Cambodia for IRRI’s then Training and Technology Transfer Department (1988). In 1996, he was a consultant for IRRI’s Central Research Farm. In 1997, he was a consultant in Cambodia for IRRI’s International Programs and Management Office.

After 13 years in India, including his time representing IRRI, the agricultural engineer continued work with international crop research stations and lived in Zimbabwe and Indonesia before rejoining IRRI in 1988.

 One of Ernie’s greatest achievements was overseeing the design and construction of the sprawling campus of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Patancheru, Telangana, India. Ernie was fond of telling stories of the discovery of ancient Hindu idols during routine road building operations on the site in 1973. He joined an ecstatic crew of workers who retrieved an enormous 5-ton, 1,000-year-old statue of Ganesha, one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu Pantheon. It was seen as the greatest possible blessing of the new institute. That statue still graces the ICRISAT campus and is an inspiration to all who pass it.

Ernie was preceded in death earlier this year (3 January) by his wife of 60 years, Edna Eugenia ‘Jean’ Spence Nunn. He is survived by son Ronald W. Nunn, daughter Anne E. Nunn Bredeck, two brothers, and four grandchildren. Ernie is a first cousin of Sam Nunn who served for 24 years as a United States Senator from Georgia (1972-97).

Upon retirement, Ernie and Jean returned to her home in LaFayette, Alabama. One of their major undertakings was the grafting of pecan trees, harvesting, cracking, and shelling. In 2014, they co-authored a book, Our Families, Farms and Stories: From Alabama to India, International Agricultural Research and Back Home.

Ernie was admired and loved by all he came in contact with. His gentle demeanor and very broad technical skill set helped make him the excellent leader he became.

In lieu of flowers, friends and colleagues may make donations to the Five Points Fire Stations (c/o Jeff Williams, 1341 County Road 224, Lafayette, AL 36862) or to the Lebanon Presbyterian Trust Fund, (c/o Linda Hodge, P.O. Box 63, Five Points, AL 36855).

Ernie was a founding patron of the Asia Rice Foundation USA (ARFUSA). Memorial donations in his honor can be made to ARFUSA by sending a check to Asia Rice Foundation USA, Inc., P.O. Box 347, Hartland, VT 05048.

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IRRI DG: Safety is central to our mission

During the Safety Awareness Summit at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the importance of an overall culture of safety was highlighted by IRRI Director General Bob Zeigler, who is also chief of the Risk Management and Quality Assurance (RMQA) team of the institute.

In his welcome address, Zeigler emphasized that safety is central to the entire mission of IRRI. He explained that the future of the institute's ability to deliver promises and contributions to alleviate poverty and hunger around the world depends on people who must be working in a safe and comfortable environment.

Around 400 staff members who attended the Summit learned much from information sessions given by various experts—Mariza San Jose, a medical doctor and supervising health officer at the Occupational Health and Safety Center of the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment, gave a talk on ergonomics; Glenn Enriquez, head of IRRI’s Safety and Security Services (SSS), discussed about emergency and disaster preparedness and gave a demonstration on using an automated external defibrillator (AED); and James Quilty, head of the IRRI Experiment Station, expounded on the importance of  waste management in the institute. Quilty encouraged everyone to maintain a safe, healthy, and sustainable working environment. He also presented a review of the IRRIcycle, a campaign launched early in 2014 which aimed at reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill.

The rest of the topics discussed were fire safety, transport safety, and safety in the field and in the laboratory.

The Safety Awareness Summit: Promoting Safety in the Workplace was held on 2 October 2015, sponsored and organized by IRRI’s RMQA and SSS.

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Philippines: ICT industry leaders target inclusive development

“The involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) plays a crucial role in inclusive development,” was the key message of Secretary General Houlin Zhao of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at the recently concluded 2015 Digital Strategies for Development Summit. He emphasized the need to include SMEs in global discussions concerning development, saying that they are vital in driving innovation forward.

“We look to stir our respective journeys in information and communication technology (ICT) together,” said Philippine Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo who reinforced the ITU secretary general’s call for partnership.

The event provided a platform for organizations and individuals involved in ICT to forge partnerships to ensure sustainability in development. Participants of the conference discussed how current ICT innovations are being used in industries such as agriculture.

Building partnerships in agriculture through ICT

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was one of the partners at the summit that attracted 60 high-level ICT industry leaders and experts as well as some 300 delegates from the public sector, civil society, multilateral agencies, academia, and youth advocacy groups.

Arnel Rala, senior associate scientist at IRRI’s Social Sciences Division (SSD) discussed some of the institute’s innovative work involving remote-sensing technologies. His presentation focused on PRiSM, which aims to develop a monitoring and information system for rice production in the Philippines; and RIICE, a public-private partnership that uses remote-sensing technologies to map and observe rice growth in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Delegates who attended the plenary on ICT Innovation and Partnerships for Sustainable Agricultural Development—many of whom come from various local government units (LGUs)—showed keen interest in IRRI’s programs. One particular project that garnered interest was the Rice Crop Manager, a decision-making tool designed to provide small-scale rice farmers with crop and nutrient management advice through the use of web browsers and smartphones.

Another panelist, Dilek Altin, director of Grameen-Intel’s International Business Development, lauded IRRI’s ICT solutions to rice farming challenges. “It’s natural to think of ICT as one of the key elements that can leverage and improve agriculture,” he said.

“Notwithstanding the technology—partnership is critical to capacity development, emphasized Ana Herrera, senior program lead for Grameen Foundation’s Mobile Agriculture division. The Grameen Foundation helps the world’s poorest people reach their full potential by connecting their determination and skills with the resources they need. “Human interaction enables an effective feedback mechanism with farmers,” she said.

Kamolrat Intaratat, chair of the Asia Pacific Telecontre Network, echoed this sentiment. “It is important to have an integrated approach to these kinds of endeavor. It’s not just a matter of focusing on one tool. It is understanding what partners can do to leverage all available tools,” she said.

She also stressed that, while access to mobile devices and other ICT solutions has become easier, organizations must focus on how to make these solutions more beneficial to farmers, who are the end-users. “The use of ICT can make agriculture—and farmers in particular—smarter,” Ms. Intaratat added.

Aside from agriculture, the conference also covered other areas such as advancement, unemployment, youth, and community building. The Digital Strategies for Development Summit was held in Cebu City on 22 to 24 September.

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ICT innovations can help make rice farming more productive

Information and communication technology (ICT) can provide rice farmers access to accurate, relevant, and timely information that can help improve their productivity, according to an IRRI scientist.

During the ICT Innovation and Partnerships for Sustainable Agricultural Development session at the 2015 Digital Strategies for Development Summit, Arnel Rala, senior associate scientist at Social Sciences Division, discussed how remote-sensing technology works and how information gathered through it could be utilized by local governments to forecast yields.

IRRI SSD Senior Associate Scientist Arnel Rala (second from left) 

at the Digital Strategies for Development Summit.

“There are three aspects of these kinds of projects: data generation, making that data available, and validation,” he said. “Data is gathered through satellite imagery and are validated on the ground using smartphones. Accuracy of rice maps taken by satellite imagery is between 85 and 89% when verified using data gathered on the ground. The information is then disseminated online through the projects’ respective websites.”

The plenary discussion tackled some of the big picture issues in promoting sustainable agricultural development through innovative ICTs.  Rala gave a presentation on Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM) and Remote Sensing-Based Information and Insurance for Crops in Emerging Economies (RIICE). PRiSM is a rice production monitoring system that uses state-of-the-art approaches to generate rice crop information in the Philippines. RIICE is a public-private partnership that takes advantage of ICT technologies to gather rice growth information in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. He also presented IRRI’s use of remote sensing-based technology, smartphones, yield estimation models, and cloud computing.

Also on the panel were Dilek Altin, director of Grameen-Intel’s International Business Development; Ana Herrera, senior program lead for Grameen Foundation’s Mobile Agriculture division; and Kamolrat Intaratat, chair of the Asia Pacific Telecontre Network. Panelists and attendees praised IRRI for its use of ICT innovations in rice farming.

The 2015 Digital Strategies for Development Summit was in Cebu City on 22 to 24 September. The event was attended by local government unit staff, ICT practitioners, and non-profit organization representatives.

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