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Climate, Collaborations, Environment, Institutions, R&D, Soil Health, Sustainability

The initiative seeks to provide farmers with reliable seed access, attract a new generation to the agricultural sector, and offer comprehensive training opportunities to ensure sustainable and efficient rice cultivation

Leaders from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) met with Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat of the Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) to discuss advancing collaborative efforts in rice research and development. The IRRI delegation, led by Director General Dr. Yvonne Pinto, Asia Director Dr. Jongsoo Shin, and Country Representative Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander, focused on enhancing human resource development and knowledge transfer to farmers, as well as preparing the grounds for a Host Country Agreement between Thailand and IRRI.

The discussions underlined the importance of advancing sustainability and enhancing food security in Thailand and the broader Southeast Asia region. As rice consumption continues to rise, Thailand’s rice production faces growing challenges. To address these, the country aims to strengthen support for rice farmers by improving access to high-quality rice seeds. With a large network of community seed centers already established, efforts are underway to expand the capacity of these centers further. The initiative seeks to provide farmers with reliable seed access, attract a new generation to the agricultural sector, and offer comprehensive training opportunities to ensure sustainable and efficient rice cultivation.

IRRI has been a longstanding partner to Thailand for over 50 years, working on initiatives to assist the country’s rice sector through innovative solutions and capacity-building programs. Thailand’s transformation from food insufficiency to becoming a leading premium rice exporting country, producing approximately 25 million tons of rice by 2022, is a testament to its strong agricultural partnership and development efforts.

“Thailand has participated in planning, policy-making, and knowledge from IRRI and other partners to further develop Thailand’s rice research and development, and can be transferred to farmers, government officials, and the private sector, increasing the competitiveness of Thai rice, creating direct economic value from rice exports, and providing opportunities for Thai academics to disseminate their rice research to be known and recognized internationally,” said Minister Pinyosinwat.

IRRI’s representatives highlighted the institute’s readiness to assist the MOAC in enhancing its technical capabilities and to offer tailored training programs for leadership in sustainable agriculture to national departments in agriculture and rice production.

It was noted by the convening parties that Thailand could serve as a regional training hub for rice research and production by taking advantage of its robust agricultural infrastructure and geographic positioning in Southeast Asia, supported by the expertise and outreach of IRRI’s global network for innovation and knowledge exchange, particularly in neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

The discussion extended into providing support to Thailand on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions as defined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) by 2030 and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

To realize a closer collaboration between IRRI and Thailand, it was acknowledged by both parties that establishing a Host Country Agreement will be crucial as a formal operational framework that provides guidance for mutual benefits and direction.

The initiative seeks to provide farmers with

Climate, Environment, R&D, Soil Health, Sustainability

At the multi stakeholder COP29 panel discussion , ADB’s $14 billion food security commitment and the emerging partnerships reflecting the urgency of fostering sustainable and inclusive agricultural systems were highlighted, paving the way for bold and transformative innovations across sustainable agricultural practices, nutrition-focused interventions, and global resilience in Asia Pacific

During the first week of COP29, the urgency to address agriculture’s role in climate resilience and food security has never been clearer. The Asia-Pacific region, home to some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable populations, is at the forefront of this challenge. Climate change, water scarcity, and political conflicts threaten food security, disrupt livelihoods, and exacerbate nutritional deficiencies across the region.

ADB Senior Director for Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Dr. Qingfeng Zhang pointed to the centrality of International Financial institutions (IFIs) in Asia-Pacific’s food systems and climate goals. “Moving forward, our focus is on three key priorities. First, we will shift from a production-based approach to demand-side interventions, with a strong emphasis on nutrition security. Second, we aim to advance smart agriculture, restore natural capital, and strengthen fisheries and agricultural systems while supporting food productivity, reducing food loss and waste, and promoting open trade. Finally, we will harness digital technology and champion inclusive agricultural policies to drive equitable and sustainable development.”

IFIs play a vital role in shaping global agricultural transformation. Their contributions span multiple areas, including policy dialogue, where they align incentives for farmers and private investors to prioritize climate resilience. In parallel, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Director for Agricultural Development Martien van Nieuwkoop highlighted context-specific and innovations-driven initiatives as natural spaces “where science meets finance” and where IFIs can address market failures and build systems that truly benefit farmers.

“When it comes to technological innovation, there is no universal solution or “Tesla car” that works in all conditions. Instead, solutions must be adapted to local contexts, which highlights the importance of bundling technologies into tailored packages. This is where initiatives like the new ADB-CGIAR Clearinghouse play a critical role,” noted van Nieuwkoop, adding that platforms that can integrate these bundled solutions and address multiple constraints simultaneously will be crucial in ensuring that they are practical, scalable, and impactful.

Amidst all these, innovation and technology play a key role in reshaping farming practices. AI-driven weather forecasting is providing real-time, actionable insights for farmers, optimizing planting schedules and resource use. “AI tools are revolutionizing agriculture, enabling small-scale farmers to make data-driven decisions,” noted Michael Kremer, Director, Development Innovation Lab, University of Chicago.

Nutrition programming was also cited as an invaluable element of this transformation, addressing the broader health and resilience challenges linked to food security. Sarah LaHaye, Lead for Climate Action and Nutrition at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) underscored, “Nutrition is often an afterthought in climate and food security programming. It’s vital to intentionally integrate nutrition to ensure that crop diversification and resilience efforts also improve nutritional outcomes.” LaHaye cited GAIN programs in Indonesia, which tackled food loss and waste while addressing emissions and nutritional benefits, as a key example of how climate and nutrition goals can align effectively.

ADB Director General – Chief Compliance Officer for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department Bruno Carrasco closed the session with a resounding call to action, “We must invest in science, innovation, and partnerships to address today’s challenges while building a food-secure future.”

At the multi stakeholder COP29 panel discussion

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, R&D

Dr Jung-Pil Suh from South Korea’s Crop Breeding Division introduced the “Suweon542” rice variety, a flour-like rice developed to support the country’s processing industry in the 28th annual meeting

The Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) held its 28th annual meeting this 30-31 October 2024, bringing together agricultural leaders from across the Asian region to align research strategies and highlight new innovations in sustainable production, low-carbon emissions, and value addition for rice markets.

Convened by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and composed of national agricultural research and extension services (NARES) from 17 member countries, CORRA was established to strengthen partnerships between members and the institute, and to provide a platform for sharing research and development efforts that will shape the future of rice cultivation across Asia.

This year’s meeting was hosted by South Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA) and held in Seoul, South Korea. The two-day event emphasized discussions on rice sector challenges, innovative solutions, and regional policies designed to bolster food security and climate resilience.

Strategies for low-carbon rice production
Sustainability was at the forefront of discussions. Innovative approaches for mitigating emissions were shared by presenters, including direct seeding, biochar application, and other practical methodologies. IRRI scientist Dr. Van Hung Nguyen noted that incentives for carbon reductions vary from country to country, which can affect the adoption of low-emission practices, while Dr. Ando Radanielson pointed out that emissions stem more from field practices than the rice plant itself.

Countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Malaysia also presented their own low-carbon initiatives, with Cambodia particularly emphasizing biochar’s benefits for organic soil quality.

Innovations in rice value addition
Dr. Jung-Pil Suh from South Korea’s Crop Breeding Division introduced the “Suweon542” rice variety, a flour-like rice developed to support the country’s processing industry. As direct rice consumption declines in Korea, this floury rice aligns with shifting dietary patterns and the growing demand for processed rice items.

Dr. Yejin Oh from CJ Cheiljedang, a South Korean food company, shared insights on the company’s popular Hetbahn line, which uses aseptic technology to prevent bacterial contamination in room-temperature storage. Innovations in low-calorie and low-protein rice products were also discussed, highlighting the different ways to meet the market’s needs and preferences.

Representatives from Indonesia and Pakistan also discussed how breeding and processing technologies could respond to evolving texture and quality demands globally.

Standardizing rice for global markets
IRRI scientist Mary Claire Custodio highlighted the need for global rice quality standards. She presented a case study from Bangladesh, highlighting gaps in the value chain and advocating for better alignment between rice production and consumer preferences. She also showed how universal processes for grading, monitoring, and traceability can help ensure quality along the rice value chain.

CORRA members explored DNA testing as a potential method for quality control, which could help meet consumer preferences and prevent variety mixing in the global market. There was also a discussion on the critical need for suitable rice varieties for dry milling, which offers benefits such as lower production costs and improved product quality.

Future collaboration
The meeting concluded with the approval of the CORRA Declaration, affirming members’ dedication to shared goals, such as germplasm exchange and continuous innovation in low-glycemic rice varieties. Uzbekistan, the newest country member of CORRA and the first from Central Asia, proposed to host the 29th Annual Meeting in 2025.

Dr Jung-Pil Suh from South Korea’s Crop

Agro Universities, R&D

The findings highlight substantial yield gaps in regions like Bihar, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, where the difference between average current yields and attainable yields ranges from 1.7 to 2.4 tons per hectare.

 As the world’s largest rice exporter and a crucial player in global food security, India has made impressive strides in agricultural productivity since the Green Revolution. However, a significant gap remains between the rice yields that farmers currently achieve and what they could potentially produce. A recent study published in Nature Communications titled “Context-dependent agricultural intensification pathways to increase rice production in India” reveals innovative strategies to narrow these gaps using data-driven methods, with a special focus on Eastern India.

The study, conducted by researchers from Cornell University, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), aimed to identify the barriers holding back rice production in seven key rice-producing states. Analysing data from over 15,800 fields, the researchers discovered that rice yields vary significantly across regions, with average yields ranging from 3.3 to 5.5 tons per hectare.

These findings highlight substantial yield gaps in regions like Bihar, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, where the difference between average current yields and attainable yields ranges from 1.7 to 2.4 tons per hectare. This gap presents a significant opportunity to boost rice production through improved management techniques and sustainable farming practices.

The study pinpointed two critical factors affecting rice yields: nitrogen (N) fertilizer uses and irrigation practices. These elements were found to be the main constraints in several states, including Bihar, Odisha, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. In other areas, issues such as potassium (K) fertilizer application in West Bengal and rice variety selection in Jharkhand also played significant roles in limiting yields.

“Contrary to the common belief that Indian farmers overuse fertilizers, our findings suggest that in many regions, they are not using enough nitrogen to reach their full potential,” explained Dr. Hari Sankar Nayak from the Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science, Soil and Crop Sciences Section, and the study’s lead author. “Optimizing nitrogen and irrigation could significantly elevate productivity, especially in the most responsive fields.”

The study leveraged advanced machine learning techniques to analyse the impact of various agronomic factors on individual field yield prediction. Using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values, researchers were able to assess how each variable influenced rice yields prediction, allowing for more precise recommendations tailored to local conditions.

These analytical models indicated that targeting nitrogen and irrigation improvements in specific fields could yield productivity increases up to three times greater than those achieved by applying general recommendations uniformly across all fields. This precision approach marks a shift from traditional blanket strategies to more nuanced, data-driven interventions. The study’s findings suggest a need for a fundamental shift in agricultural policy towards

The findings highlight substantial yield gaps in

Agro Universities, Agrotech, R&D, Seeds

It aims to increase the awareness and utilisation of plant types and genotypes of improved rice varieties grown by rice farmers.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has unveiled a new resource, the Released Variety Panel (RVP). This panel includes over 130 sequenced rice varieties. The seed is available upon request by scientists and breeders through the International Rice Genebank (IRG), and the sequences are available on the SNP-Seek Database.

The release of this new set, facilitated by IRRI’s Rice Breeding Innovations department, aims to increase the awareness and utilisation of plant types and genotypes of improved rice varieties grown by rice farmers. These include types of rice that are popular in certain rice-growing countries or are more resilient to climate change effects.

Through the High-Density Rice Array (HDRA) and the 3,000 Rice Genomes Project (3k RGP), many upstream scientists have become more familiar with IRG’s collection of germplasm/landraces, having identified many valuable traits/genes/QTLs/donor accessions. However, the plant traits and alleles of modern/improved varieties that breeders have developed may differ from the diversity panels.

In addition, the RVP can facilitate linking upstream rice research with impact pathways. This can help provide benchmarks for varieties with several beneficial traits. Since many of the accessions in the RVP are currently grown by rice farmers, using these lines as benchmarks could increase the likelihood of upstream research results reaching farmers’ fields.

Funding and support for developing the RVPs and the sequencing efforts include various partners and donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Zegar Family Foundation (New York University), the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), and the Government of Shenzhen, China. Crop Trust provided support for maintaining the Gene bank seed collections.

How to access RVP and request seeds

This link provides access to the RVP list and descriptions of accessions in the Genesys platform. You can initiate a seed request by clicking ‘Add to my list’ and ‘Request for material’ and entering your details.

An alternative way will soon be available through the GRIN-Global platform. Seeds can be requested by creating a profile, selecting ‘list search,’ listing the RVP set of accessions (IRGC numbers 141079-141216), and sorting your preferred seeds.

To process the seed request, an authorized person at your organization is required to agree to the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA), an import permit, and a phytosanitary certificate. Depending on your country/organization, you may be asked for a payment to help cover Genebank-related costs. Once all requirements are fulfilled, the seed request will be processed, which may take around six weeks from ordering to shipping.

The SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) sets can be found in the International Rice Informatics SNP-Seek Database. SNP sets for each released variety are currently distributed among different variety sets or download files but will be merged into one common dataset upon the release of SNP-Seek version 3.

It aims to increase the awareness and

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, Sustainability

The new hub will enable and scale carbon market access in Vietnam and extends the intended impacts of this partnership to other countries that are operating in similar environments.

Gold Standard and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have released a new resource hub designed to encourage and support the development of sustainable rice production activities in Vietnam, by simplifying rice producers’ access to new income streams from carbon finance.

In 2022, Gold Standard entered into a partnership with IRRI and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) with the aim of scaling carbon market access for sustainable rice producers in Vietnam. The Rice Sustainability Hub developed through the partnership is the first of its kind for the rice sector in Vietnam, and the resources and tools provided will help sustainable rice project developers across the world.

Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard, said, “In launching the Rice Sustainability Hub, we hope to facilitate not just a significant reduction in methane emissions — a potent greenhouse gas – but also to open new opportunities for income for smallholder farmers, moving us closer to our dual goals of environmental sustainability and economic resilience.”

IRRI Climate Change Specialist, Dr. Katie Nelson said, “This new resource hub takes us a step closer to enabling and scaling carbon market access in Vietnam and extends the intended impacts of this partnership to other countries that are operating in similar environments.”

Rice production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to around 8% of global agricultural emissions. Rice is the world’s most important staple food crop, helping to feed over four billion people and providing a livelihood for about 150 million smallholder farmers. Moving towards sustainable production practices will have a positive impact on the climate and on the livelihoods of millions of farmers.

As the third largest exporter of rice in the world, rice production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam. The Government of Vietnam has pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and transitioning to sustainable rice production practices will be important to meet this objective. 

Sustainable rice farming can only be achieved by working closely with farmers, by giving them access to information, training, and financial support. Carbon finance offers one route to support these activities. The Rice Sustainability Hub is designed to provide the resources and tools project developers and other stakeholders need to effectively support the development of sustainable rice projects under the Gold Standard “Methane Emission Reduction by Adjusted Water Management Practice in Rice Cultivation” methodology.

While the hub aims to promote project activities in Vietnam, most of the resources and tools are also relevant for sustainable rice projects located in other countries. 

The new hub will enable and scale

Agri Genomics, Agro Universities, Agrotech, R&D

This joint effort marks a step toward advancing scientific knowledge and sustaining the resilience of rice cultivation through state-of-the-art genomic analysis.

In the past six years, the Plant Pathology and Host Resistance Group has been outsourcing its genomic sequencing to explore the complexities of rice pathogens as part of its work, notably on Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae pathogen, responsible for rice bacterial leaf blight. The pathogen’s diversity and complex genomes necessitate complete sequencing for comprehensive understanding. The group also focuses on false smut, neck/leaf blast, brown spot, and tungro diseases requiring the need for new genomic information for understanding rice-pathogen interactions.

The Integration of the MinION™ sequencing technology from Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd. in its laboratory enables IRRI researchers to establish important genomic information on common rice diseases at a faster rate. Ultimately, it will further advance the institute’s effort in developing DNA-based tools for accurate disease identification, uncovering genetically based resistance in specific rice varieties, and improving effective strategies for deploying disease-resistant rice varieties.  

To maximise the application of nanopore sequencing, the Plant Pathology and Host Resistance Group conducted a comprehensive internal end-user training and an initial sequencing run on 05-06 March 2024. Dr Van ScheplerLuu, head of the IRRI Plant Pathology Laboratory; assistant scientists Genelou Grande and Dale Pinili, and MS student Michael Urzo were trained by Prof. Andrew Montecillo from the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

This joint effort marks a step toward advancing scientific knowledge and sustaining the resilience of rice cultivation through state-of-the-art genomic analysis.

This joint effort marks a step toward

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Foodgrains, R&D

Partnership aims to encourage stronger relationships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in rice research and development.

A delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the IRRI Headquarters to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) fostering collaboration between the two parties. The MOU, titled “Scientific and Technical Collaboration for Promoting and Disseminating High-Yielding, Climate-Smart, and Healthier Rice Varieties” aims to encourage stronger relationships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in rice research and development. The goal is to advance food and nutrition security while enhancing climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Dr Abdullo Mansurov, Head of the Department of Cereals and Legumes of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Agriculture, led the visiting delegation and represented the ministry in the signing. Dr Ajay Kohli, Interim Director-General of IRRI, represented the institute.

This signing follows the recent induction of the Republic of Uzbekistan, through its Rice Research Institute – National Center for Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture (RRI-NCKIA), into the Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA). CORRA, an IRRI-convened partnership of National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NARES) agencies across Asia, facilitates information sharing and initiatives to address common issues and challenges in the rice sector.

Rice in Uzbekistan is grown in approximately 149,000 hectares, with an average yield of 4.8 tons per hectare. Most farmers use direct seeding through broadcast methods based on seasons and timelines. The achievements of the country’s Rice Research Institute include the development of over 17 new rice varieties and patented technologies for addressing weeds, diseases, and pests in rice crops. Priorities for the ministry include germplasm exchange, varietal development and testing, and high-yielding varieties for cost-effective production.

IRRI leaders and scientists presented various technologies and initiatives of interest to the ministry, including hybrid rice and direct seeding technologies, online education and capacity building, and nutrient management and postharvest mechanization. The ministry welcomed the proposal for membership in groups such as the Temperate Rice Research Consortium and Seeds Without Borders.

Dr Kohli expressed appreciation for the established collaborative partnership with Uzbekistan, emphasizing the exchange of germplasms and the development of a partnership in Central Asia. Future plans include collaborations with IRRI Education, focusing on scientist exchange and participation in IRRI Education programs, fostering a two-way transfer of knowledge and expertise.

Dr Mansurov expressed gratitude for the collaborative partnership and highlighted the potential for greater engagement and collaboration with neighboring countries in Central Asia, given the similar climatic conditions. He also acknowledged the possibility of additional MOUs with other ministries.

After the meeting, the Uzbekistani delegation toured IRRI facilities, witnessing various IRRI technologies and initiatives, including the Plant Growth Facility, the DSR field, and the International Rice Genebank.

Partnership aims to encourage stronger relationships, knowledge

AgroPolicy, India, R&D, Sustainability, World

The aim of this conference is to facilitate the development of a global ecosystem of partners from academia, industry, government, and multilateral and bilateral organisations

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and the World Bank have come together to announce the first International Conference on ‘Blended Learning Ecosystem for Higher Education in Agriculture’ in India under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP). The three-day event to be held from March 21-23 in New Delhi will be hosted by ICAR – IASRI (Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute), which is a multi-partner global forum to support collaboration for the development of a state-of-the-art blended education system for higher agricultural education.
 

The aim of this conference is to facilitate the development of a global ecosystem of partners from academia, industry, government, and multilateral and bilateral organisations who would provide critical insights towards the design and full-scale implementation of all aspects of the Resilient Agricultural Education System (RAES) under National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), that is, learning management system, content repository, and system-wide capacity building. Apart from the engaging discussions the three-day event will also showcase an exhibition on the diverse range of services and offerings in the field of agriculture and blended learning.
 

The conference and exhibition will be inaugurated by Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Various other ministries will also be participating along with other global leading institutions like AICTE, IIT and IRRI among others. Eminent speakers addressing the conference include Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (DG), ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Dr R.C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and Dr Auguste Tano Kouame, Country Director, The World Bank among others.
 

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (DG), ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, said, “According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the agriculture sector in India contributes 17-18 per cent of the Gross Value (GVA) added of the economy and employs more than 40 per cent of the workforce. Farmers are adopting new technologies to improve and monitor crop health and production. The true adoption of blended learning has immense potential and can unlock the agriculture economy to new heights.’’

The aim of this conference is to

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Environment, Foodgrains, R&D, Sustainability

ACB and IRRI are exploring conducting joint seminars between and among their experts and scientists to discuss and identify joint activities in the areas of rice landscapes and biodiversity

IRRI’s Director Jean Balié and Deputy Director General for Strategy, Engagement and Impact, Joanna Kane-Potaka recently met with ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Executive Director Dr Theresa Mundita S. Lim to lay the groundwork for more active partnerships with the promotion of agrobiodiversity in the region.

Most recently, ACB has contributed significantly to two CGIAR-IRRI Innovate for Food Program intervention packages that are focused on enhancing ASEAN agrobiodiversity use and landscape biodiversity as well as climate neutrality and circular agriculture.

Agriculture, fisheries, and forests agrobiodiversity, including the genetic diversity, of animals, plants, and microorganisms used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture is critical to nutrition security, ecosystem service provision, and the resilience of agroecosystems. Yet, the ASEAN region continues to lose agrobiodiversity and associated traditional knowledge at an alarming rate.

“Indeed, there is poor understanding at all levels of society of what agrobiodiversity actually is and its critical role in initiatives that promote food security and nutrition, nature-positive solutions, sustainable and circular agriculture, reduction of agrochemicals use, and carbon neutrality. We acknowledge and value the knowledge and critical roles organizations like ACB have toward addressing this issue,” Balié said.

To this end, ACB and IRRI are exploring conducting joint seminars between and among their experts and scientists to discuss and identify joint activities in the areas of rice landscapes and biodiversity.

Beyond the regional program and cooperation between the two institutions, the meeting was also intended to explore ways to increase synergies with the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the University of the Philippines – Los Baños. ACB also expressed openness to co-chair a scientific session with IRRI on agrobiodiversity in rice landscapes in the upcoming 6th International Rice Congress happening in Manila, Philippines on 16-19 October.

“It is so important we do not work only in our expert silos. We talked about solutions that are a win for biodiversity and a win for agriculture, specifically, rice systems. There are often trade-offs but this is the role of science and our own commitment to ensure we find a win-win,” Kane-Potaka said.

ACB and IRRI are exploring conducting joint

Agri Genomics, Agro Universities, India, Seeds

Advanta interested to further work closely with IRRI to leverage knowledge and experience in rice science to create market-differentiating breeding products

A delegation from Advanta Seeds from India and the Philippines visited IRRI Headquarters to explore potential areas of collaboration between the two organisations.

Advanta Seeds, a subsidiary of Indian multinational UPL Limited, is a global leader in traditional plant breeding for high-quality seeds in various field crops, including rice. As part of its global strategy, IRRI engages with private sector partners around the world to accelerate the scale and reach of the institute’s innovations and technologies to benefit farmers, particularly smallholders.

Advanta is already a trusted partner of IRRI, and a member of various initiatives such as Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC), Network for Accelerated Rice Varieties for Impact (NARVI), and Two Line Rice Hybrid Study Group. Now, they are interested to further work closely with IRRI to leverage knowledge and experience in rice science to create market-differentiating breeding products.

Members of the visiting Advanta delegation included Satyadev Vaddadi, Director – R&D FC & FR – South Asia; Elangovan Mani, India Molecular Breeding Lead (VC & FC); Balaji Suresh Pippalla, Manager for Trait Introgression; and Seraj Ahmad, Business Lead – Philippines & NEA.

The delegation was welcomed by IRRI Tech Transfer Senior Manager – Business Development Linga Reddy Gutha and Deputy Platform Leader for Rice Breeding Innovations Sankalp Bhosale. The delegation participated in various in-depth scientific discussions with Damien Platten, Nese Sreenivasulu, Kenneth McNally and Shalabh Dixit.

The potential collaborations discussed included: 1) how IRRI can play a role in integration of genomic selection in their rice breeding strategy; 2) grain quality profiling of their parental lines for predictive breeding; 3) closer collaboration in rice native traits and informatics; 4) licensing of additional rice hybrids from HRDC for the Philippines; 5) exploration of a collaboration model for exchange of germplasm from Direct Seeded Rice breeding program, and 6) Licensing of IRRI germplasm for Africa.

As a follow up of this meeting, IRRI Tech Transfer and Jauhar Ali will visit Advanta’s facility in Hyderabad, India this December to discuss various opportunities of two-line rice hybrids. 

Advanta interested to further work closely with

Agrotech, India, Sustainability

The orientation programme was organised as a part of collaboration between IRRI & the ‘Jeetega Kisan’ project

IRRI South Asia Regional Center (ISARC), Varanasi conducted a one-day capacity development orientation programme for farmers and extension workers of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh as a part of collaboration between IRRI and the ‘Jeetega Kisan’ project.

The aim of the programme was to help stakeholders adopt best management practices for the rice-wheat based system and introduce them to IRRI’s digital tools that can help escalate the sustainable rice production systems.

This programme, which includes a mix of in-class session, lab tour and field demonstration, gave farmers and extension workers a platform to hone their skills on managing soil health in rice ecosystems, agronomic management for rice-wheat based system under conservation agriculture systems, low-cost insect and pest management options in rice-wheat based cropping systems, and site-specific nutrient management. It also gave them an opportunity to familiarise themselves on how to effectively employ the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) application for getting customised on-farm recommendations.

As part of the program, the participants were encouraged to speak on their on-field concerns, sharing farm insights from the region of Sonbhadra and getting them addressed by subject matter experts. Moreover, the visit to the ISARC lab, farms and fields got the participants interest piqued in rice-value addition, solar bubble dryer, IRRI Super Bag & the cost-effective post – harvest management practices/techniques. To ensure the sustainability of the program, IRRI will continue providing support to these stakeholders through pursuing more capacity development activities that centre around digital tools and sustainable rice production.

The opening ceremony was attended by notable guests including Vikram Patil, Scientist-ISARC, Ajay Kumar Mishra, Associate Scientist -Soil Science, ISARC and Gaurav Jaiswal, Ed Tech Specialist, IRRI Education, ISARC.

The program was implemented by IRRI Education, the capacity development, knowledge dissemination unit of ISARC. It has been playing a pivotal role in bolstering the rice based agri-food systems by developing the capacities of the ecosystem stakeholders through education, capacity development & knowledge dissemination activities. The unit regularly collaborates with institutes seeking interventions in the areas of capacity development on climate resilient practices, climate change mitigation, climate adaption & sustainable agri-practices.

With its strategic position in Varanasi, in close vicinity of institutes like Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), these customised programs provide a nurturing environment where knowledge is shared and participation is encouraged.

DCM Shriram Foundation’s Flagship program “Jeetega Kisaan” focuses on the confluence of Water Conservation and Agri- Skilling.  It was launched to help farming communities get  “More Crop Per crop” from the conserved water. The program is layered on water conservation and aims at an  increase in irrigated area, cultivable area, and adoption of advanced agriculture.This program strives to achieve the targets of SGD2 – Zero Hunger. It aims to help small & marginal farmers increase their productivity and income by providing them training on better packages of practices. A Sustainable Paddy/Wheat Program under Jeetega Kisaan program was launched in 2021 for 2000 farmers in 46 villages of Chopan & Robertsganj block of Sonbhadra District of Uttar Pradesh with International Finance Corporation (IFC) & IRRI as the knowledge partners and Indian Society of agribusiness professionals (ISAP) as the implementation partner.

The orientation programme was organised as a

Agrotech, Allied Industry, Climate, India

The Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society, Government of Assam, has signed extension of collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for transforming the rice-based agrifood systems in Assam under the World Bank funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART).

The project focuses on promoting climate-resilient production and processing of prioritised agriculture and allied commodities, investment promotion, agri-entrepreneurship development, efficient marketing including market- intelligence and credit linkage.

IRRI provides technical support to the Assam Agricultural University and Department of Agriculture for implementing the rice value chain activities under the project. 

The second phase of the IRRI-APART collaboration focuses on  developing the rice value chain of Assam and strengthening technology flow through ICT- and GIS-enabled agro-advisory systems, knowledge dissemination, and catalysing adoption.

It aims to upgrade the rice value chain by supporting Farmer Producer Companies through business models and disseminating and scaling out sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate-smart technologies suited to rice-based systems of Assam.

The Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services

Agri Genomics, Agro Universities, R&D, Seeds

A total of 27 new varieties, were validated as nominated by more than nine Indian National Agricultural Research & Education System (NARES) breeding network partners.

Researchers in India have identified new rice varieties that could adapt to specific requirements of the different environments in the country after a series of on-farm trials (OFT). The results of the rigorous trials were presented in a two-day technical workshop online organized by the India Seed System and Product Management team of the International Rice Research Institute on 5-6 May, 2022.

A total of 27 new varieties, including some pipeline varieties were validated as nominated by more than nine Indian National Agricultural Research & Education System (NARES) breeding network partners. The research also identified promising varieties and how they adapt in the various target environments. During these trials, researchers collected feedback about the varieties from farmers and extension personnel.

“The development and identification of suitable rice varieties for specific environments in Indian farms are the critical first steps in helping the farmers increase their yield and productivity. The identified new varieties when positioned rightly in the seed system, can lead to actual delivery of genetic gain in the farmer field.  In addition, the smallholder farmers of the country need all the support to ensure they have awareness and equitable access to these new varieties and quality seeds” said Dr Swati Nayak, South Asia Lead – Seed Systems & Product Management at IRRI.

Researchers have continuously developed technologies and various interventions that could be adapted to increase the productivity in the country. At the same time, they have also promoted the cultivation of hybrid rice varieties.

The newly-identified rice varieties were a product of the 2021 Kharif (wet season, June-October) OFTs implemented extensively across four states in Eastern India, including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. A total of 559 OFTs were implemented in partnership with government organizations such as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), State Agricultural Universities (SAU), and non-government organizations (NGO) as collaborators in Eastern India.

In the current trials conducted, researchers found specific rice varieties with favorable response for different farm locations and environments. These selected varieties will be further disseminated for extensive promotion through demonstration, and are expected to help increase rice yield and profit against existing varieties. Researchers are also looking into infusing these varieties in the seed chain of respective states for speedy quality seed access to the farmers.

A total of 27 new varieties, were