International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Established: 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations with support from the Philippine government. – Headquarters: Los Baños, Philippines. – Mission: To reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure environmental sustainability of rice farming. – Operations: Active in 17 rice-growing countries across Asia and Africa. |
| Objectives | – Poverty Reduction: Enhance agricultural productivity to alleviate poverty. – Food Security: Develop sustainable rice-based systems ensuring a stable food supply. – Health Improvement: Promote nutritious rice varieties for better public health. – Environmental Sustainability: Foster practices to protect natural resources and mitigate climate change impacts. |
| Members (Dec 2024) | – Collaborators: Includes national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), advanced research institutes, and private sector entities. – Part of CGIAR: IRRI is a key member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) consortium, contributing to global agricultural research. – Countries with IRRI Offices: Includes Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and other rice-growing nations. |
| Reports/Indices | – Annual Reports: Highlights yearly achievements, research impact, and financial data. – Research Publications: Includes scientific papers, policy briefs, and technical bulletins on rice science. – Rice Today Magazine: Regular updates on global rice research and innovations. – Impact Assessment Reports: Evaluates the effectiveness and outcomes of IRRI’s initiatives. |
| Instruments | – Strategic Plan 2017–2025: Sets the institute’s mission, goals, and objectives. – Partnership Agreements: Formalizes collaborations with governments, research institutions, and private sector entities. – Intellectual Property Policies: Governs the dissemination and management of research outputs and innovations. |
| Structure | – Board of Trustees: Oversees governance and strategic direction. – Management Team: Manages daily operations and implementation of strategic plans. – Research Divisions: Focuses on crop improvement, natural resource management, and social sciences. – Country Offices: Facilitates localized research and partnerships in 17 countries. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – IRRI Education: Provides training and capacity-building programs for researchers, extension workers, and farmers. – Genebank: Maintains a comprehensive collection of rice genetic resources for conservation and research. |
| Committees | – Scientific Advisory Committee: Advises on research priorities and scientific quality. – Audit Committee: Ensures financial accountability and transparency. – Nominations Committee: Manages the selection process for board members and key leadership positions. |
| Initiatives | – Green Revolution: Pioneered the development of high-yielding rice varieties like IR8, transforming rice production in Asia during the 1960s and 1970s. – Golden Rice Project: Bioengineered rice to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. – Climate-Resilient Rice Varieties: Develops rice capable of withstanding drought, flooding, and salinity. – Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP): Promotes sustainable rice farming globally. – Perennial Rice Development: Researches varieties that allow multiple harvests without replanting, reducing costs and labor. |
