LOS BAÑOS, PHILIPPINES (March 12, 2025) – Bacterial panicle blight (BPB), caused by the seed-borne and seed-transmitted pathogen Burkholderia glumae , is an emerging threat to rice production. Aside from yield losses, which can result in up to 70%, BPB also poses significant risks to seed production, international seed trade, and biodiversity. Although its prevalence remained low for many
In this opinion editorial for IRRI’s 65th Anniversary, IRRI Regional Director for Africa Dr. Abdelbagi Ismail and IRRI Country Representative for Uganda and Gender and Livelihoods Research Leader Dr. Jummai Yila explain that sub-Saharan Africa is capable of being rice self-sufficient, but it necessitates continued partnerships with both public and private sectors, a bold and targeted policy reform, and investment
Quezon City, Philippines, (7 April, 2025) – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) signed a Memorandum of Agreement to implement digital innovations for increasing rice yields, optimizing water management, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Philippine rice sector. Agriculture accounts for 26% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with rice production contributing
by John Damien Platten, Amelia Henry, Myrtel Valenzuela In a recent Marschner Review in the journal Plant and Soil, IRRI scientists introduced the Trait Development Pipeline and highlighted examples from root biology in developing next-generation, climate-resilient rice varieties. When it comes to developing new rice varieties, most of the attention goes to the finished product: the seeds that reach farmers’
IRRI and partners empower haor farmers with climate-smart innovations to improve productivity, resilience, and livelihoods in rice farming. Nikli, Kishoreganj (22 April 2025) – Bangladesh’s haor region, responsible for 25% of the country’s boro rice and 15% of annual rice production, is increasingly vulnerable to climate shocks, old technologies and practices, and systemic gaps in the rice value chain.
Ankita Tiwari* and Dr. Shalini Gakhar** Despite continuous advancements in agricultural technologies, there exists a significant digital gender divide globally, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Women farmers often face limited access to mobile phones, internet connectivity, digital literacy, and tailored training programs. These barriers constrain their ability to adopt climate-smart practices, access market information, and make informed farming decisions.
Sharif Ahmed and Humnath Bhandari Agriculture in Bangladesh is predominantly focused on rice, with approximately 75% of arable land dedicated to its cultivation. Farmers in the country cultivate rice up to three times a year, with the rice-rice cropping pattern covering about 27% of the country’s agricultural area. In certain regions, particularly in Northern Bangladesh, this figure can reach as
By Prem Raj Bhatt, Mosharaf Hossain, Swati Nayak, Rabin Kushma Tharu, Jitendra Sah With women-led cooperatives taking the lead, IRRI and its partners in Nepal scale out climate-resilient varieties to build an inclusive, efficient, and responsive seed delivery system. Rice accounts for 53% of cereal grain production in Nepal and contributes 5.7% to the country’s total GDP and 13.5% to