News Overview

Thailand (14 November 2024) – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has launched an ambitious project aimed at transforming the environmental footprint of rice farming in Southeast Asia. The Methane Accelerator for Southeast Asia (MASEA), supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), targets significant reductions in methane emissions from rice cultivation. Southeast Asia, the global hub for

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 18, 2024 – During the first week of COP29, the urgency to address agriculture’s role in climate resilience and food security has never been clearer. The Asia-Pacific region, home to some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable populations, is at the forefront of this challenge. Climate change, water scarcity, and political conflicts threaten food security, disrupt livelihoods, and

LOS BANOS, Philippines (7 November 2024) ~ The Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) held its 28th annual meeting this 30-31 October 2024, bringing together agricultural leaders from across the Asian region to align research strategies and highlight new innovations in sustainable production, low-carbon emissions, and value addition for rice markets. Convened by the International Rice Research

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines (6 November 2024) —The importance of roots in plant growth is often overlooked or misunderstood. However, rice roots have a distinct anatomy and architecture, making them fascinating to study. Dr. Amelia Henry, Senior Scientist II at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and her team are helping shed light on the understudied science of roots, particularly in

KLUANG, Malaysia (25-26 October 2024) – Experts from governments, non-government organizations, academia, and industry convened to share challenges on rice straw management, their initiatives, and policies; and identify research gaps, necessary policy interventions, and best practices for knowledge sharing across countries. They also explored the potential of rice straw, often seen as a waste, into valuable resources like bio-pellets at

The CGIAR Gender Equality Initiative aims to bundle socio-technical innovations with women at the center to empower and build their resilience against climate-change challenges. The Theory of Change framework highlights the pathways and the most relevant stakeholders to engage to reach shared goals. For some time now, development practitioners and researchers have been designing and implementing bundles of interventions in

by Sharif Ahmed, Manik Debnath, Bushra Humaira Sadaf, and Humnath Bhandari In the face of rising sea levels, increased salinity, and unpredictable rainfall, coastal farmers in Bangladesh are experiencing some of the harshest impacts of climate change. Traditional farming methods struggle to cope with these changing environmental conditions, leaving many farmers vulnerable to poor yields and food insecurity. However, sorjan

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, (October 16, 2024) – The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India is pleased to announce the 13th edition of the National Seed Congress (NSC) to be held in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh from November 28-30, 2024. The event will be organized jointly by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional