Philippine DA and IRRI launch legacy site on 2016-2021 collaborations

To highlight the highly successful partnership between the two organizations, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) recently launched the website DA-IRRI 2016-2021 Collaboration, an online legacy site detailing the various projects, innovations, and milestones achieved during their five-year collaborative activities from 2016 to 2021.

As the host country of the institute’s global headquarters, the Philippines and IRRI have had a close partnership for more than 60 years, dating back to the 1960s when the institute was first founded in Los Baños, Laguna. Over the decades, collaborations between IRRI and the Philippine government, particularly the DA and its various agencies, have significantly advanced rice research and production in the country and around the world. Notable achievements include the development of IR8 and other improved high-yielding and stress-tolerant rice varieties, the establishment of the Philippine Rice Research Institute , the development of innovative technologies and knowledge products like PRISM , and the training of thousands of rice scientists and researchers from the Philippines and abroad, to name just a few.

Under the recent Duterte Administration, joint activities between IRRI and the Philippine government were intensified through a Memorandum of Understanding to work more closely together to improve rice production in the country, build on past successes, and forge new collaborations. These include increasing the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers; improving the quality of rice; enhancing the sustainability of rice production systems; strengthening value chains; and developing the next generation of rice science leaders.

The new legacy site offers a comprehensive look at six key projects completed and launched during 2016-2021, showcasing highlights and impacts as well as providing important information and resources. These projects are:

Water-efficient and risk-mitigation…