By Ankita Tiwari and Bushra Humaira Women in South Asia are transforming the landscape of rice farming. They are not just cultivating rice; they are leading a movement, embracing improved varieties, pioneering seed enterprises, and empowering their communities in the face of climate challenges. With the support of IRRI and local partners, they blend traditional wisdom with modern innovations, paving
India, the world’s top rice exporter, declared an export ban on non-basmati non-parboiled white rice in July 2023, causing concerns on food security across the globe. As many African countries import more than 100,000 MT of non-basmati white rice from India, the continent became vulnerable to India’s trade restrictions. Researchers at the International Rice Research Institute and their collaborators
by Bushra Humaira Sadaf, Ahmad Salahuddin, Gio Karlo Evangelista, Manoranjan Mondal On World Water Day 2025, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) highlights the critical need for research-driven solutions in rice farming to optimize water use. As the global population rises and freshwater resources become increasingly scarce, investing in water-efficient technologies is one of the most essential interventions for sustaining
by Rhowell Jr. Tiozon, Erstelle Pasion-Uy, Shem Gempesaw, Joel Tolentino, Alisdair R. Fernie and Nese Sreenivasulu IRRI researchers have discovered that pigmented rice sprouts (PRS) with superior haplotypes are rich in antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids that have enriched antioxidant and anticancer properties. This research opens up possibilities for developing nutrient-rich rice varieties with improved health benefits by identifying the
28 February 2025, Bangkok, Thailand – Rice represents the essence of Asia’s food system, and feeds over half of the global population. In Thailand, rice cultivation accounts for about half the agricultural landscape, employing 18 million smallholder farmers. Yet, as climate change intensifies, Thailand’s staple crop faces pressures from prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, flash floods, and extreme weather events in
Dhaka, Bangladesh (March 19, 2025) — The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in research and innovation, technology transfer, extension services, and capacity development in the rice-based agrifood systems in Bangladesh. The MoU signing ceremony, which took place
With the high costs of agricultural inputs and issues with flooding, lodging, and rice straw burning, the Fertilize Right project is transforming Vietnam’s rice farming by promoting efficient and effective fertilizer use. This collaboration between USDA, MARD, and IRRI continues to yield promising results, reducing input costs, labor demands, and environmental impacts while increasing farmers’ income. Fertilizer plays a critical
Bangkok, Thailand (5-7 March 2025) – Bringing together government officials and representatives from nearly 20 countries, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and IRRI hosted a workshop on “Advancing Climate Ambition in the Agrifood Sector: Workshop on NDC 3.0 and COP30 Preparation in Asia-Pacific”. The event provided a platform for countries to exchange knowledge, refine strategies,