IRRI showcases its Native Trait Deployment efforts at the DA-BAR’s agri and fisheries exhibition

IRRI collaborations with the DA-BAR are among the highlights of the 2nd NAFTE event, which showcases and promotes available agriculture and fisheries technologies. Over 50 major genes were deployed under the Native Trait Deployment initiative under the IRRI-BII unit, and they are ready for use in mainstream breeding programs. In partnership with IRRI, DA-BAR sought to bring the event and its technologies closer to farmers and fisherfolk in the regions.

Cagayan de Oro City (4-6 June 2024) – OneRicePH and other partnership initiatives of IRRI with the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) were among the highlights of the recently held 2nd National Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Exhibition (NAFTE).

From left to right: 1. DA-BAR Director Dr. Junel B. Soriano, 2. DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, 3. Ms. Everlyn Amparado, 4. Ms. Katreena Titong Navea, 5. DA-BAR Assistant Director Joell H. Lales, and 6. Bauertek Farmaceutical Technologies General Manager, Richard Nixon Gomez

The IRRI exhibit, presented by Ms. Katreena Titong-Navea and Ms. Everlyn Amparado of the Rice Breeding Innovations (RBI) Department’s Breeding Innovations and Informatics Unit, showcased the Native Trait Deployment work.

Over 50 genes are deployed , many of which are major loci for disease resistance and climate change-related stress tolerance traits. These are ready for use in mainstream breeding programs. Deployment products are in significant demand for two major areas: 1) Introducing new genes to elite breeding programs and 2) Testing the effectiveness of major genes across locations and in elite backgrounds. A group of rice farmers and personnel from various regional offices showed keen interest in the Native Trait deployment products, specifically on lines with tungrovirus…