News Overview

NSC 2024 featured a plenary on “Leveraging Market Intelligence for Enhanced Genetic Gains” highlighting the transformative role of data-driven insights in aligning breeding programs with market demands. Experts emphasized public-private partnerships, grassroots feedback, and platforms like GloMIP to drive innovation, enhance genetic gains, and advance sustainable agricultural practices for global food security. ISARC, Varanasi, India, 29 November 29 2024 —

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 1 December 2024 – Decentralized, farmer-led seed systems are vital for improving smallholder farmers’ access to quality seeds. Recognizing this, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), under the CGIAR’s SeedEqual Initiative and ClimatePRO project, is promoting women-led Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to spearhead quality seed production. Despite their critical role in rice systems, women face significant barriers, including

by Sugandha Munshi, Amit Srivastava,R.K.Sohane, Anil Kumar Yadav ,Rajesh Kumar ,Prakashan Veetill, Vikram Patil, Paneerselvam,Sonam Sherpa and Virender Kumar By 2050, feeding a projected population of 9.1 billion will become necessary. This will require an increase in food production by 70% between 2005-2007 and 2050 with developing countries needing to double their production. Achieving this goal demands innovations and collaborative

by Arma Bertuso and Gordon Prain Quezon City, one of the bustling metropolises of the Philippines, is famous for its dynamic urban landscape, thriving businesses, and cultural landmarks. But beneath the surface of this classic city skyline lies a complex, vibrant food system that feeds millions of residents daily. A new and captivating virtual video tour – “Follow the Gulay”

by David Dawe, Valerien Olivier Pede and Ronald Jeremy Antonio Good news: the recent developments in the global rice trading environment and improved weather conditions have lowered world market prices. As these factors lead to lower domestic prices, consumers will find it easier to afford a healthy diet. Improved trade World prices are now back to levels last seen before

BANGKOK, Thailand, 6 December 2024 — Leaders from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) met with Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat of the Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) to discuss advancing collaborative efforts in rice research and development. The IRRI delegation, led by Director General Dr. Yvonne Pinto, Asia Director Dr. Jongsoo Shin, and Country Representative Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander,

LOS BANOS, Philippines (December 3-4, 2024) — IRRI and the Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (DA-FPA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement to train FPA policymakers on the safe and effective use of agricultural drones. This MOA aligns well with the Drones4Rice Program, which aims to establish standard use protocols for agricultural drones for rice production systems in

(04 December 2024) – Under the CGIAR Gender Impact Platform’s Methods Module, the CGIAR Initiative on Gender Equality (HER+) was granted USD100,000 to apply and scale the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) and similar tools and metrics to their climate change research. WEAI was originally developed for Feed the Future, a US government initiative that aims to address global