Pres. Marcos makes historic trip to IRRI to discuss how IRRI innovations and technologies can help transform Philippine agriculture

On 29 November 2022, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna to talk about how innovations and technologies could transform the Philippine agriculture sector and improve the lives of Filipino farmers.

Marcos was welcomed by IRRI Director General Jean Balié followed by a tour inside the International Rice Genebank, a facility which contains the biggest collection of rice gene diversity in the world.

During the visit, Marcos also met with several IRRI scientists, and attended the IRRI Board of Trustees Meeting. Among the topics discussed are how to address challenges in agriculture in the midst of climate change, and ensure a food- and nutrition-secure nation in the years to come. Marcos, who is currently the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, sits as an Ex-Officio Member of the IRRI Board of Trustees.