Odisha and IRRI promote sustainable rice production using dhaincha and organic fertilizer

• IRRI promotes enhanced crop and soil productivity through the balanced use of chemical and organic fertilizers.
• IRRI and the Odisha Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment trained department-selected staff on dhaincha seed production and green manuring.
• The staff will share the benefits of dhaincha and organic fertilizer in rice-based cropping systems with farmers.

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The Odisha Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE) promotes cultivating dhaincha and organic fertilizer to improve farmers' productivity and ensure the sustainability of the state’s agriculture sector.

Mekong Delta seeks sustainable future for rice industry with circular economy workshop

• Global experts addressed the challenges of rice production in the Mekong River Delta. 
• The primary issue is the vast amount of straw rice farming produces.
• Experts explored a circular economy approach involving innovative uses for rice straw and reducing environmental impact.

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Can Tho City, Vietnam (7 June 2024)—Experts from international organizations and the public and private sectors discussed developing a circular economy based on rice production and processing to ensure the sustainability of the rice industry in the Mekong River Delta (MRD).

IRRI Diary: A vibrant spring wrap-up from Vietnam

Entry by Amber Sharick (IRRI Vietnam)

The IRRI Vietnam team has had an exciting few weeks supporting evidence-based decision-making through stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue.

Sea6 Energy visits IRRI HQ for possible BIC partnership

A delegation from Sea6 Energy visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Headquarters in Laguna, Philippines to explore possible research collaboration and membership through IRRI’s Bio-Innovation Center (BIC) program.

IRRI scientists provide CLRRI researchers with advanced training on experimental designs and data analysis

CUU LONG DELTA RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (CLRRI), 15 April 2024—In response to the need for capacity-building efforts, particularly in data analysis using modern tools and breeding approaches, researchers from CLRRI underwent a workshop on “Experimental designs and modern statistical data analysis”. It was conducted by IRRI scientists, as part of the project "Securing the Food Systems of Asian Mega-Deltas through Identification of Salinity Tolerant Genotypes in Vietnam".

IRRI’s commitment to science and partnerships

IRRI works closely with national research partners in the rice value chain to understand their priorities and needs. Using an extensive portfolio of rice breeding innovations coupled with improved agronomic practices and advice, IRRI addresses the constraints they face.

Conventional rice breeding makes up the bulk of IRRI’s rice breeding research. This approach takes advantage of existing genetic variation to introduce desirable traits into cultivated crop varieties. 

IRRI also uses new breeding approaches to address producing food. New approaches produce crops that help supply the food requirements for an ever-increasing population, within a context of uncertainty from climate change, decreasing natural resource pools, and malnutrition. 

Biometrical genetics workflow app demonstration at IRRI Headquarters

Dr. Giovanny Eduardo Covarrubias, head of the RBI’s Breeding Analytics and Data Management unit, welcomed participants from different research units across IRRI to highlight the importance of enabling scientists to do their own analysis to accelerate decision-making.

The Breeding Analytics and Data Management team within IRRI’s Rice Breeding Innovations department demonstrated firsthand their biometrical genetics workflow application (bioflow) at IRRI Headquarters.