IRRI and 17-country council convene to advance rice research and innovation in Asia

LOS BANOS, Philippines (7 November 2024) ~ 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…