| Media Hotline: April - June 2006 |
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| Friday, 30 June 2006 | |
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The Media Hotline is n information summary for supporters of international rice research In this issue: NEWS & PRESS RELEASES
PEOPLE
IRRI VISITORS
EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
TRAINING
NEWS & PRESS RELEASES Strategic Plan endorsed, new mission statement unveiled, Bob Havener and T.T. Chang remembered, and outstanding NRS recognized During a busy first week of April, IRRI’s Board of Trustees (BOT) held its annual meetings at headquarters. On 6 April, the BOT Program Committee endorsed the draft IRRI Strategic Plan and the outline for the Business Plan. Program Committee Chair Ron Phillips conveyed special appreciation to IRRI staff members for their tremendous efforts and contributions toward charting IRRI’s future directions. In line with the new Strategic Plan, the BOT unveiled the Institute’s new mission statement, which now reads: “To reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships, and strengthening of national agricultural research and extension systems.” On 7 April, two important events provided bookends for BOT chair Kei Otsuka’s annual address to IRRI staff. Before his address, the auditorium in Chandler Hall was formally dedicated as the Robert D. Havener Auditorium “with gratitude to a true visionary, humanitarian, and friend.” Following Dr. Otsuka's address, in a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) Awards Ceremony, Florencia “Flor” Palis, postdoctoral fellow in EPPD, and the IRRI Emergency Brigade (EB) were presented with, respectively, the Director General’s Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement and the IRRI Award for Outstanding Support of IRRI’s Mission. Dr. Palis, an anthropologist and a widely published author of research publications, was chosen for her independent ethnographic research that encompassed many community settings and IRRI projects, including her research for the advancement of knowledge. The IRRI Emergency Brigade (EB), a group of 63 volunteer firefighters from various organizational units, was chosen for unselfish devotion of their personal time toward protecting the interests and property of the Institute. The IRRI EB is headed by Glenn Enriquez, senior manager in the Safety and Security Services (SSS), and Mac Punzalan, fire marshal and SSS core guard, who received the award on behalf of the group. The awardees and their spouses were honored during a dinner at the Harrar Hall Seminar Room by members of the BOT and the IRRI Management. The NRS Awards Program was created in November 2004 by former DG Ronald Cantrell to acknowledge the contributions of outstanding performers and role models and to recognize employees who have shown extraordinary involvement in activities that contribute to the overall improvement in effectiveness and efficiency of the Institute. During his address, Dr. Otsuka announced that the BOT has authorized the naming of IRRI’s Genetic Resources Center as the Te-Tzu Chang Genetic Resources Center, in memory of Dr. Chang who passed away in Taiwan on 24 March. Dr. Otsuka recognized new BOT members Domingo F. Panganiban, secretary of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, and Mangala Rai, director general of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, and departing BOT member Fazel Hasan Abed, founder and chair of the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee. The BOT chair also stated that, even though there was a budget deficit of $1.2 million in 2005, there are no plans for staff retrenchment and that the BOT is optimistic about IRRI’s future financial situation because of the Institute’s exciting new Strategic Plan. ( Back to top )
Examining a tricky issue and inspiring the future of rice in Asia Los Baños, Philippines--In Asia, the question of whether or not to liberalize rice trade is a vexing one. If liberalization is to occur at all, it needs to happen gradually and with an understanding of how people—especially the poor—will be affected. Read about this contentious issue, including an interview with renowned agricultural economist David Dawe, in the latest issue of Rice Today. Coupled with our trade feature, the second of the new series of stunning photo centerfolds shows a different type of landscape: hills and valleys of rice sacks being unloaded from a ship docked at Manila, Philippines. The July-September issue of Rice Today also documents a unique event at IRRI headquarters. In April, Thai and Filipino high school students—all from rice-farming families—came to Los Baños for the first-ever rice camp. The camp, which aimed to boost the promising students’ interest in both rice and science, gave the teenagers an opportunity to try for themselves the latest research and production techniques. Along the way, new friendships and friendly rivalries blossomed. Go to www.irri.org/ricetoday. A cleaner, greener rice industry Hanoi, Vietnam--In a new partnership, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is working with the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to develop a series of environmental indicators for rice production in the region. When implemented, the indicators will allow each country to monitor and compare the environmental impact of its rice production with that of its neighbors, and either correct any problems or improve on existing practices. It’s the first time anywhere in the world that a series of environmental indicators is being developed to monitor the impact of agricultural production on such a large regional basis. The five indicators being developed focus on the following environmental factors: production, biodiversity, pollution, land degradation, and water. Announcing the initiative at a special World Environment Day event (held on 2 June) in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, IRRI Director General Robert S. Zeigler said: “The aim of such indicators is to provide the members of ASEAN with a set of standards to assess the environmental impact and health and sustainability of their rice production. Go to http://www.irri.org/media/press/press.asp?id=135 ( Back to top ) Los Baños, Philippines, and Bangkok, Thailand--The young people of Asia are being encouraged to consider a future in rice. Whether it’s rice farming or rice research, very few of Asia’s best and brightest young people are interested in a career in an industry that has been a foundation of the Asian way of life for generations. Few rice farmers want their children to be rice farmers, and even fewer young Asians are choosing careers in rice science, despite its vital importance to the region. However, an innovative project launched in Thailand and the Philippines marked the start of a major new effort to encourage young Asians to consider a future in rice. “It’s a sad fact of life in modern Asia that many young people in the region don’t think of rice as offering an exciting or promising career, so they focus on other industries and other careers,” says Robert S. Zeigler, director general of the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). IRRI, together with the Thai Rice Foundation under Royal Patronage (TRF) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), hosted 10 Thai teenagers and nine young Filipinos for a week of activities designed to boost their interest in rice and science. Dr. Zeigler says it’s vital for Asia’s future development that the rice industry attracts the region’s best and brightest young people. “Rice and agriculture are still fundamental to the economic development of most Asian nations, not to mention their cultural and social identities,” he added. Working together with the TRF and PhilRice, IRRI hosted a 5-day rice camp (24-28 April 2006) at its headquarters in Los Baños for the Thai and Filipino students who are aged 16–18. The students─all of whom have been selected because of their interest in, or knowledge of, rice─learned the very latest scientific techniques in rice research and, more specifically, be convinced of how rice research can provide a brighter future for rice in the region. The rice camp was featured on BBC World's Asia Today. Among the many high points during the event was a TV report on the rice camp produced by Reuters Television. This report was sent all over Asia and especially to Thailand. Go to http://www.irri.org/media/press/press.asp?id=134 Vietnam adopts “Three Reductions, Three Gains” as national policy The Vietnamese government has endorsed the “Three Reductions, Three Gains” (locally called “Ba Giam, Ba Tang”), initiated as an IRRI project in 2002, as a national agricultural policy. This was communicated in a letter from the minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr. Cao Duc Phat, instructing the agricultural sector to disseminate the system of technology and knowledge throughout the country. A national lead committee and provincial- and district-level implementation committees are being established to oversee the implementation. To further promote the program, training and field visits will be organized for extension workers and farmers. Each province will continue to research and refine the techniques, adapting them to local needs. The minister urged the use of mass media such as radio and TV to communicate Ba Giam, Ba Tang principles to farmers. In January 2006, a budget of about US$230,000 was allocated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to 64 provinces, specifically for Ba Giam, Ba Tang implementation. Annual meetings will be organized at provincial and national levels to review progress and yearly budgets. “The introduction of Ba Giam, Ba Tang is very timely especially to help raise farmers’ incomes in these days of rising oil prices,” said Dr. Phat. “In addition, the practices are environment-friendly.” According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Huan, chairman of the national committee, Ba Giam, Ba Tang is now practiced by more than 1 million farmers. “In the recent brown planthopper outbreaks in the Mekong Delta, most farmers practicing Ba Giam, Ba Tang escaped heavy pest attacks.”
The vice minister of agriculture, Dr. Bui Ba Bong, expects that 50% of rice farmers in the country will be using Ba Giam, Ba Tang within the next 3 years. ( Back to top ) IRRI launches environmental radio project for Vietnam and announces initiative on the environment for the ASEAN region IRRI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Vietnam and the World Bank, has formally launched the Environmental Radio Soap Opera for Rural Vietnam and announced an environmental initiative in conjunction with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). IRRI DG Robert Zeigler revealed both of these projects on 2 June, which was World Environment Day, at MARD’s headquarters in Hanoi. The new radio soap opera, Quê Mình Xanh Mãi (Forever Green Homeland), began airing episodes over the Voice of Ho Chi Minh on 12 June and over the Voice of Can Tho on 19 June. The 105 episodes based in rural settings feature the daily struggles, joys, and loves in rural life, with environmental issues carefully woven into the conversations among the characters. Education-entertainment principles have been adopted in drama development involving technical specialists and creative writers. Dr. Zeigler said, "None of this would have been possible without the strong support and wonderful cooperation of IRRI's partners in Vietnam.” In addition, he saluted and congratulated the Vietnamese MARD for the extraordinary progress it has made in rice production over the past decade or more and the positive impact this has had on the lives of Vietnamese farmers. Dr. Zeigler also announced another major environmental project that is expected to affect the lives of millions of rice farmers in the region--the start of development work with ASEAN on environmental indicators for rice production in the region. With support from Vietnam, IRRI is partnering with ASEAN to initiate a project that will focus on two areas: capacity building and the environment. RDA and IRRI develop 2006-07 work plan On 26 April, at the 20th Rural Development Administration (RDA)-IRRI work-plan meeting at RDA, Korea, scientists from RDA and IRRI, led by IRRI Deputy Director General for Research Ren Wang, assessed progress made during 2004-05 collaboration and developed the 2006-07 RDA-IRRI work plan. The work plan included the approval of five new project proposals, the continuation of the IRRI-Korea Office (IKO), research projects, the exchange of germplasm, International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER), Korean Seed Multiplication Project (KSMP), and Germplasm Utilization for Value Added (GUVA). RDA and IRRI agreed to organize a planning meeting in 2007 for the Temperate Rice Research Consortium (TRRC) initiated by both organizations during the meeting. The meeting also highlighted the achievements of more than 42 years of Korea-IRRI partnership on rice research and development. RDA Administrator Kim In-Sik, in his welcome remarks, acknowledged the close partnership between IRRI and RDA. He emphasized the invaluable support given by IRRI toward making Korea self-sufficient in rice production. Dr. Wang mentioned that the partnership would increasingly be used as a working model for other NARES to emulate. Dr. Wang also acknowledged the increasing financial support of Korea (RDA) to IRRI and continuous support toward research carried out by the IKO. He also delivered a special lecture on “IRRI’s new strategic plan and research projects.” Dr. Lee Young-Tae, director, Genetics and Breeding Division, National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), gave a presentation on “Rice variety improvement in Korea─current status and prospects.” ( Back to top ) RDA ships 25 tons of quality rice seed multiplied at IRRI As part of the "New Rice Revolution" campaign of the Rural Development Administration (RDA) in the Republic of Korea, 25 tons of high-quality rice seed were harvested at IRRI headquarters and then transported in a fleet of trucks to the Manila airport on 31 March. The precious cargo has since made its way to the National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), RDA in Korea, via Asiana Aircargo Flight OZ 384 on 2 April. The “New Rice Revolution," launched in 2005, is aimed at developing and popularizing high-quality rice in Korea. For this purpose, RDA and IRRI entered into a memorandum of agreement that called for a large-scale Korean Seed Multiplication Project (KSMP) during 2005-06. Through this project, newly developed quality varieties (namely, Gopumbyeo and Unkwangbyeo) are being multiplied at IRRI using the Institute's standard cultural practices for seed multiplication. The multiplied seed is now on its way to Korean farmers and ultimately consumers. Korea’s achievement in rice self-sufficiency through the “Green Revolution" of the 1970s was made possible through similar past MOAs between IRRI and RDA. The first KSMP for rapid dissemination of the popular Tongil variety was accomplished more than 36 years ago during the 1969-70 dry season. Under the supervision of Hung Goo Hwang, senior scientist in PBGB and IRS seconded from RDA, the seed multiplication was done at IRRI's 14-hectare upland field where the seed was harvested over the 22 Feb-24 March period. "I am very happy that we reached our target production and we finished our project successfully," said Dr. Hwang. "I want to thank the staff members of the Experiment Station, Seed Health Unit, the Shipping Office, and the Philippine Plant Quarantine Office for a job well done. IRRI-PhilRice book launched at national conference The book “Why does the Philippines import rice? Meeting the challenge of trade liberalization” was launched during the 19th National Rice Research and Development Conference held at PhilRice, 3-5 April. Published by IRRI, together with PhilRice, and edited by IRRI scientists David C. Dawe and Piedad F. Moya, and Cheryll Casiwan of PhilRice, the book was introduced by Ms. Moya, senior associate scientist in IRRI’s Social Sciences Division. She discussed the major contents of the book and stressed that the book attempts to analyze the likely effects of certain policies like trade liberalization that are being widely discussed among Filipinos. However, she also pointed out that it does not provide any specific recommendation but gives facts based on solid data and analysis that often do not find their way into public discussion. ( Back to top ) IRRI and CIP establish the first CGIAR Access Grid Link On 7 April, after a successful test the previous day, IRRI and the International Potato Center (CIP) made a little CGIAR history by becoming the first two CG centers to have a video conference using the Access Grid (AG). They were joined in the conference by the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, IRRI's partner in using Access Grid technology (ASTI and IRRI are the only Access Grid nodes in the country). The Access Grid is a technology for enabling multiple locations, even dozens, to participate simultaneously in a video conference. CIP obtained advanced research network connectivity last September when it established a link to the local Agrarian University, already connected to Internet2. IRRI and CIP staff have tried on and off since that date to establish a link but there were invariably problems at CIP's end and it took months to iron out all the difficulties. Thanks to perseverance, Rolando Navarro Jarra of CIP and Lino (Roy) Suarez of IRRI’s IT Services finally succeeded in establishing a working connection and the CGIAR entered a new era. ITS staff was joined by colleagues Graham McLaren and Thomas Metz from the IRRI-CIMMYT Crop Research Informatics Laboratory (CRIL) who have been keenly waiting for this moment. IRRI named CIO 100 Honoree for 2006 CIO Asia, the Magazine for Information Executives, has officially recognized IRRI as one of Asia’s top strategic users of IT over the past year. For having achieved excellence in strategic IT deployment, IRRI has been named a CIO 100 Honoree for 2006 and has been placed on CIO Asia’s annual index of Asia’s top-performing enterprise users of IT. A certificate signifying this was recently presented to Paul O’Nolan, ITS head. In a letter to Mr. O’Nolan, Mr. Gerald Wee, executive editor of CIO Asia, stated, “The CIO 100 are the crème de la crème of organizations across the region that have used IT strategically to deliver innovations, strategic value, and high dollar returns to their businesses, industries, sectors, and societies. They are exemplars of IT deployment excellence, and role models for their counterparts and competitors in the region.” On the CIO Web site, it is stated that "In an effort to stamp out complexity in its IT infrastructure and business processes, IRRI implemented a technology lifecycle management system on and strategically outsourced the acquisition and support processes for its desktop systems." ( Back to top ) PEOPLE IRRI adviser receives honorary doctorate degree National Scientist, eminent sociologist, and IRRI consultant Gelia T. Castillo was conferred with a Doctor of Science (Rural Sociology), honoris causa, by the De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila on 17 June. The DLSU recognized Dr. Castillo’s “outstanding contributions as a rural sociologist, and of her being the first social scientist to raise the level of research as a tool for development studies.”
In
her acceptance and commencement address, Dr. Castillo urged the
graduates to look at the countryside as a wide arena for innovators and
entrepreneurs. “This message to look at the countryside goes for entrepreneurs and innovators in health, science, social development, education, humanities, environment, engineering, and information technology,” she said.
Gold award for writing goes to Rice Today editor Mr. Barclay's article explored how drought in Asia delivers heartbreak and rips communities apart among the rural poor, but also how promising new research is helping rice farmers avoid devastation. ACE is an international organization of communicators and information technologists that develops the professional skills of its members to extend knowledge about agriculture, natural resources and life and human sciences to people worldwide. ( Back to top ) IRRI scientists win PSSST awards IRRI scientists Roland Buresh and Mirasol Pampolino of the Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) received awards at the 9th Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium of the Philippine Society of Soil Science and Technology (PSSST) on 1-2 June at Central Luzon State University. Dr. Buresh received an Achievement Award in recognition of his notable achievements in research on soil and nutrient management and in actively collaborating with soil scientists from Asian and African countries, particularly the Philippines; for providing scientific leadership in the area of sustainable soil fertility management for intensive rice-based systems and tropical agroforestry; for leading activities toward improving practices of site-specific nutrient management; and for duly recognizing the significance of continuing IRRI’s long-term fertilizer experiments. Dr. Pampolino received the Best Paper Award for “Long-term dynamics of soil carbon and nitrogen in lowland rice cropping systems," which reported C and N balances in long-term experiments at IRRI and PhilRice, and stated that balanced fertilization resulting in high rice yields can provide an ecosystem benefit of higher soil organic matter than when rice production is lower as a result of low or inappropriate use of fertilizers. The paper was coauthored by Efren Laureles and Roland Buresh from IRRI and H.C. Gines from PhilRice. IRRI staff recognized during CSSP conference During the recent 36th Crop Science Society of the Philippines Scientific (CSSP) Conference held at the Legend Hotel in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, IRRI scientists received awards for a poster and a paper and David Mackill, PBGB head, was named a CSSP honorary fellow. Also during the event, K.L. Heong, senior scientist, entomology, presented IRRI’s Environmental Agenda Toward Sustainable Development. IRRI’s Genetic Resources Center’s poster, Management of the world’s largest rice collection through information technology, by Adelaida A. Alcantara, Roniela H. Prantilla, Ma. Corina Habito, Flora de Guzman, Thomas Metz, and Nigel Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton, won in the Best Poster Extension/Education Category. A collaborative research paper, Development of bacterial blight-resistant hybrid rice parental lines through bidirectional marker-aided selection, presented by Joan Agarcio of PhilRice won the Best Paper Award (Upstream Category). The paper was coauthored by L.M. Borines (Leyte State University), S.A. Ordoñez (PhilRice), M.P. Natural (UPLB), B.W. Porter (Kansas State University), F. White (KSU), C.M. Vera Cruz (IRRI), H. Leung (IRRI), and E.D. Redoña (PhilRice). David Mackill was named CSSP 2006 Honorary Fellow for his contributions to the rice varietal improvement programs in the Philippines and other rice-growing countries. As PBGB head, he has led the breeding team in the development of several released varieties through the National Seed Industry Council. He has also made valuable contributions as a visiting professor at UPLB. PhilRice executive director, Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, also received an honorary CSSP fellowship. ( Back to top ) IRRI poster wins at international workshop The poster, Are architectural traits at flowering stage relevant to account for yield advantage in hybrid rice?, authored by IRRI scientists Tanguy Lafarge, Crisanta S. Bueno, and Estela Pasuquin won the Best Poster Award in the Plant Traits and Physiology of Crop Adaptation Session of the International Workshop on Gene-Plant-Crop Relations, Scale, and Complexity in Plant Systems Research at Wageningen University, The Netherlands, 23-26 April. The poster reports similar development of inbreds and hybrids at the early stage of crop growth and emphasizes that differences in morphological and architectural strategies of hybrids compared with inbreds after panicle initiation would explain most of the hybrid rice superiority. IRRI VISITORS His Excellency W.M. Senevirathna, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Philippines, visited IRRI on 6 June. Welcomed by Director General Robert Zeigler, H.E. Senevirathna watched the IRRI video. DDG-R Dr. Ren Wang gave an overview of IRRI’s research agenda. The ambassador toured the Riceworld Museum and visited the International Rice Genebank. His Excellency Muhammad Naeem Khan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, visited IRRI on 9 May. He was welcomed by Director General Robert Zeigler and DDG-R Dr. Ren Wang. Open discussions were held after Dr. Wang's presentation. After lunch with Drs. Zeigler and Wang, IRRI senior scientists John Bennett and Abdelbagi Ismail discussed IRRI’s contribution and role in Pakistan. The ambassador also visited the International Rice Genebank. ( Back to top ) His Excellency Muhammad Abul Quashem, Ambassador to the Philippines from the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, visited IRRI on 31 March. He watched the IRRI video, met with selected staff members, and visited the Riceworld Museum, Institute laboratories, and International Rice Genebank. Former tourism secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta
Together with the RJTV crew, Gemma Cruz-Araneta, former secretary of
the Philippine Department of Tourism and Miss International 1964,
visited the Institute on 27 April to conduct interviews and feature
IRRI in her "Only Gemma" TV program. “I want to tell the public that IRRI is guarding the traditional rice varieties of the Philippines and other countries,” explains Ms. Araneta. “I also want to clear up the misconceptions about IRRI that have occurred over the years,” she added. The feature on IRRI was aired on 1 May on Sky Cable 19 and Destiny 79. Members of the National Rural Women Coalition Seventeen rural women leaders and advocates of the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) or National Rural Women Coalition visited IRRI on 15 June. PKKK is a coalition of associations of women peasant, fisherfolk, farm workers, and indigenous people, including rural women in the sectors of informal labor, elderly, youth, and persons with disabilities; and NGOs and individuals who work for the interest of the above sectors. The group visited the International Rice Genebank and the Seed Health Unit before participating in a dialogue led by Dr. Thelma R. Paris, socioeconomist-gender specialist, and Dr. Gelia T. Castillo, National Scientist. The participating rural women leaders—members of the National Council of Leaders of the PKKK—represented the provinces of Cagayan Valley, Compostela Valley, Davao, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Negros Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Zambales, and the Zamboanga Peninsula. Dr. Helen Dayo, social scientist of the Farming Systems Research Institute of UPLB, also participated in the dialogue. Dr. Paris started the dialogue with a question concerning the real situation of women farmers in the rice sector in their respective environments. Several gender issues in their respective provinces were raised by the women. Among these issues are unequal wages between male and female workers and limited access to support services and information on new technologies, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao. Thirty members of the Laguna Association of Media Professionals Society (LAMPS) visited IRRI on 18 April. The group led by their president, Mr. Momoy Cardenas of the Manila Bulletin, had lunch with DDG-OSS Willy Padolina and Community Relations Office staff Chat Ocampo, Johnny Goloyugo, and Lito Platon. After a post-lunch open discussion with Dr. Padolina in the Havener Auditorium in Chandler Hall, Society members toured the Riceworld Museum and Learning Center, the Communication and Publications Services, and the Genetic Resources Center. ( Back to top ) About 10 members of the Asian Development Bank Spouse Association (ADBSA), led by Ms. Emma Murray, ADBSA president, made a surprise visit to IRRI on 27 April. They were welcomed by Mrs. Crissan Zeigler and Duncan Macintosh. During their brief stay, they watched the IRRI video and toured the Riceworld Museum and the International Rice Genebank. They also visited the Community Relations Office, where they were briefed about IRRI's community projects. The Honorable Ruth Uy Asmund-son, mayor of Davis City, California, USA, visited IRRI on 30 March. She toured the Riceworld Museum, Institute laboratories, and the International Rice Genebank. EVENTS & WORKSHOPS 2006 IRRI Reunion brings together cross-section of pioneers and present staff More than 150 people, including former and present staff and families, attended the 2006 IRRI Reunion on the campus of the University of California Davis in Davis, California, 23-25 June. The program accomplished great fellowship through a barrio fiesta on Friday evening and a Saturday scientific symposium, followed by a tour of rice fields and farms in this region of California, which is the second largest rice-producing state in the U.S. after Arkansas. During the fiesta on Friday, Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson (who had visited IRRI earlier this year and is a Los Baños native) made honorary citizens of all the IRRI alumni in attendance. During the Saturday symposium, IRRI Visitors and Information Services Head Duncan Macintosh brought the group up-to-date on events at IRRI including the unveiling of the Institute’s new strategic plan and preparation for IRRI’s 50th anniversary in 2010, and discussed ways that the large IRRI alumni contingent in the U.S. can keep in better touch with the Institute, perhaps with the USA chapter of the Asia Rice Foundation serving as a secretariat for the group. As part of the IRRI History Project, which is an element of the preparation for the 50th anniversary, IRRI Communication and Publications Services Head Gene Hettel interviewed (on video tape) a number of IRRI pioneers who were in attendance, including former DGs Nyle Brady (1973-81) and Klaus Lampe (1988-95) and other staff: S.K. De Datta (agronomist, 1964-92); Harold Kauffman (plant pathologist, 1967-81); Krishna Alluri (IRPT liaison scientist for Africa and INGER, 1988-96); Russell Freed (plant breeder in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, 1972-80); Robert Herdt (economist, 1973-83); Hugh Murphy (director for administration, 1974-85); Ed Price (economist, 1975-85); Buford Shepard (entomologist, 1984-88); Alan Early (agricultural engineer, 1977-83); Walt Rockwood (CPS editor, 1976-82); Stan Johnson (agricultural economist, 1966-68); Carolyn Wilhelm (spouse of the late James Moomaw, agronomist, 1961-69); and Kay Golden (spouse of William Golden, communicator and rice production specialist, 1963-68). In the interviews, they related experiences and interesting anecdotes from their times at IRRI.
The
organizing committee for this significant event included Jim and Marge
Litsinger, Jim Hill, Rita Seiber, Gurdev and Harwant Khush, George
Patena, Stan and Beth Johnson, Alit Mackill, Kay Golden, Bill
Chancellor, Paul Marcotte, and Usha Ladha. ( Back to top ) Farmers’ Month celebration goes to Congress Improving the lives of rice farmers in the Philippines and around the world through collaborative research and strengthening the national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) of rice-producing countries have always been among IRRI’s primary goals. Speaking during the opening ceremonies of the Farmers’ Month at the Philippine House of Representatives in Quezon City on 29 May, IRRI Deputy Director General for Operations and Support Services William G. Padolina said, "the Institute strongly undertakes to make dramatic advances in rice research and production technology, which it freely shares with Filipino farmers through the NARES in close collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).” During the last 20 years, IRRI and PhilRice have collaborated on more than 50 research projects to solve problems in rice production in the country. These projects include the development of high-yielding and pest- and disease-resistant rice varieties that are suitable to different Philippine rice ecosystems, the development of technologies to address water scarcity, and the conservation of rice biodiversity. “IRRI remains committed to providing technical assistance to any Philippine agency or organization via detailed, up-to-date research on rice self-sufficiency and food security, as well as providing free blueprints or designs of small agricultural machines and relevant information and training in the area of farm mechanization to improve the working conditions of Filipino farmers,” Dr. Padolina said.
Department
of Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban welcomed some 100
farmers from Bulacan, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija during the opening
ceremonies of the “Farmers’ Month celebration goes to Congress,” whose
theme was Makabagong agrikultura tungo sa matatag na ekonomiya (New technology for a strong economy). The Institute, through Visitors and Information Services, in coordination with the Community Relations Office, also mounted a rice exhibit in Congress on 29-31 May in conjunction with the Butil (Grain) Farmers’ Party celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolks’ Month, also focused on the same theme. The exhibit focused on postharvest technology, Rice Knowledge Bank, training, biodiversity conservation, and integrated pest management. The BBC Asia Today coverage of the recent Rice Camp in Los Baños, Laguna, and the audio-visual presentation, Rice Science for a Better World, were also shown during the entire exhibit. The National Food Authority and PhilRice were the other exhibitors. IRRI holds stakeholders’ meeting on knowledge exchange IRRI, in partnership with PhilRice and other national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), is implementing the project “Improving knowledge exchange and decision making among rice stakeholders through ICT-based technology promotion and delivery systems.” The project aims to learn and gain experience in how to use ICT effectively to transfer rice knowledge and production technologies to farmers. With this project, the group of partners will work on farmers’ problems and improve their productivity and profitability. This project is being led by Dr. V. Balasubramanian (project leader), Mr. Julian A. Lapitan (project coordinator), and Engr. Eugenio C. Castro, Jr., and Ms. Gina E. Zarsadias (project co-coordinators). The stakeholders’ meeting was held on 5 May at the IRRI Training Center. It aimed to present the concept of the project partnership, discuss the terms and conditions of the project, and develop action plans and project impact design frameworks. Twenty-seven participants from the pilot municipalities and villages in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon participated in the meeting. Highlights of the meeting were the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between IRRI and the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL) and Infanta Integrated Community Development Assistance, Inc. (ICDAI) for the participatory implementation of the project and the turnover and deployment of the cyber/computer units to the eight pilot villages for Laguna and Quezon. ( Back to top ) International workshop on aerobic rice held at IRRI An international workshop on aerobic rice concluded on 4 April at IRRI Umali A, B, and C. During the workshop, information was exchanged among researchers involved in aerobic and dry-direct-seeded rice production systems. Progress to date, constraints, and research needs were documented in short papers contributed by the invited speakers. On 5 April, a 2-day preliminary planning meeting for the ADB-supported project “Development and Dissemination of Water-saving Rice Technologies for South Asia” was held. At this meeting, planning with teams from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan was conducted in preparation for an inception workshop later this year. TRAINING A Rice Knowledge Bank as a tool for disseminating technology in Laos Training specialists from IRRI met with representatives from the Agriculture and Forestry College, Agricultural College, and the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) at NAFRI in Vientiane, 18-19 May, to organize a training workshop on Improving Technology Promotion through Use of a Rice Knowledge Bank. The IRRI specialists taught teachers and extension workers from agricultural colleges and NAFRI on how to operate computers and use the software required to effectively apply new information, knowledge, and extension methodologies for farmers in the rural areas. The 2-day training workshop marked the beginning of an effort to create a rice knowledge bank (RKB) in Laos. Since the Lao-IRRI Project has been working on developing rice technologies for 16 years throughout Laos, an RKB will be a key tool for disseminating these rice technologies through extension workers to Lao farmers. Quality assurance course held at IRRI An expanded quality assurance (QA) training course was held at IRRI, 22 May-2 June, in IRRI Umali Rooms A, B, and C. Dr. Ed Paski from the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Canada, conducted the course. He is an expert in analytical and environmental chemistry and laboratory quality assurance and accrediting assessment. This year’s training topics covered laboratory sampling, data transfer, and processing procedures, method validation, processes and quality standards for data evaluation, research information, document management and control, and principles and standards tied to ISO 17025. IRRI conducts course on better postharvest management for improved rice quality "Improve your postharvest management and technology to increase the quality and quantity of your grain and reduce postharvest losses, hence increase your income." This was the main message pointed out by Martin Gummert of IRRI’s Agricultural Engineering Unit and Geert (Jef) Claessens of IRRI’s Training Center during two in-country courses on “Postharvest management for improved quality of rice grain and seed” held in Myanmar (24-26 April) and Laos (10-12 May). Mr. Gummert showed 23 participants in Myanmar and 18 in Laos, consisting of extension workers, researchers, manufacturers, and rice millers, the different options for postharvest operations and management by conducting hands-on exercises on operating different drying and milling systems and setting up hermetic storage. He also trained the participants in analyzing rice seed and grain quality by using simple tools like a scale, a thermometer, and a low-cost moisture meter designed by IRRI. For the first time, the theory of the postharvest processes was taught by means of a self explanatory e-learning course. The reactions to this computer-based teaching style were very positive. According to Mr. Claessens, who developed the course, this new way of training opens up new possibilities to have not only cheaper but also more widespread IRRI training. ( Back to top ) IRRI holds workshop on ICT-based technology promotion and delivery systems On 3-4 May, a 2-day training workshop on "Improving knowledge exchange through ICT-based technology promotion and delivery systems" was conducted at the IRRI Training Center. This workshop was led by Dr. Balasubramanian, Mr. Lapitan, and Engr. Castro. The training workshop aimed to train project staff, trainers, and technicians from various project pilot sites in acquiring skills in using and operating computers and the software required for the effective delivery and dissemination of new information, knowledge, and training on rice production technologies and extension methodologies to farmers in rural areas. Seventeen participants from pilot villages in Laguna and Quezon attended the training workshop, in which they learned and gained experience in how to use ICT to transfer new technologies to farmers. Course on plant genetic resources and intellectual property management completed in Myanmar A 5-day course (2-6 May) on “International rules and regulations relating to plant genetic resources and intellectual property management” was conducted in Yangon, Myanmar, by an IRRI team led by Genetic Resources Center Head Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton. The course was instigated by Dr. Myint Thein, vice-president of the Myanmar Academy of Agricultural, Forestry, Livestock and Fishery Sciences, in consultation with IRRI DDG-R Ren Wang. Thirty-six participants from various ministries and offices attended the course, which equipped participants with knowledge on international laws and regulations that will guide Myanmar in its participation in the forthcoming inaugural meeting of the governing body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, of which Myanmar is a founding member. FoSHoL-IRRI shares extension methods with partners The Food Security for Sustainable Household Livelihoods (FoSHoL)-IRRI project, together with its partners ActionAid, the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. (CARE), and ITDG Bangladesh, along with their local NGO partners organized a 2-day workshop on "Extension methods for dissemination of agricultural technology for impact on food-insecure households," 17-18 April at RDRS, Rangpur. During the workshop, the participants learned from the experiences of partners from the Poverty Elimination Through Rice Research Assistance (PETRRA) who have developed extension methods under the PETRRA project that fit their respective organizations and eventually mainstreamed into their programs. These methods were shared with FoSHoL partners who are in the process of developing their own extension methods that would ultimately contribute to the proper dissemination of agricultural technology to FoSHoL beneficiaries. The workshop was designed to listen to the cases and experiences of farmers and farmer leaders and then develop extension methods as perceived by the partners. At the end, FoSHoL partners presented their possible extension method flow charts based on their respective contexts and what they have learned from the PETRRA experience. Rice breeders from 10 countries attend IRRI course Twenty-one rice breeders attended the training-workshop on "Increasing the impact of rice breeding programs," 17-28 April at IRRI. According to IRRI DG Robert Zeigler, "These participants are blessed to be given the opportunity to interact with the best minds in rice plant breeding." The participants come from Bangladesh, Burundi, China, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Interactive lectures with exercises, group discussions, laboratory and field visits, as well as a presentation of action plans were among the activities. The course was coordinated by Gary Atlin, senior scientist in PBGB, and facilitated by Maria Angeli Maghuyop, training specialist, together with the TC Training Team. Rice breeders face increasing pressure to produce varieties that are adopted by farmers, but funds for agricultural research are declining in many countries. Breeders must therefore maximize impact with limited resources. IRRI offered this course to help breeders redesign their programs for increased efficiency and effectiveness. At the end of the course, each participant was asked to describe his/her own program and develop a plan for increasing its effectiveness. ( Back to top ) |
