News Overview

By Bushra Humaira As the world faces increasing climate challenges, biodiversity is emerging as one of most important components for future-proofing our planet. Biodiversity plays a critical role in sustaining life on Earth as it safeguards our ecosystem. On this International Day for Biological Diversity, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is working towards protecting and promoting biodiversity in

Bangkok, Thailand (May 13-16, 2025) – ” How can we clearly explain genome editing, and encourage collaborations to use it effectively and create lasting impact? ” This question has been looming over conversations as a dedicated group of scientists, regulators, and communicators from across Asia gathered in Bangkok for the “Precision, Policy, and People: A Genome Editing Workshop for Crop

Rice is a staple food in South Asia and a key source of livelihood for millions of farmers and families across the region. As climate change affects agriculture, scientists and institutions are developing improved rice varieties that are more productive, resilient, and suited to changing environments and market needs.   This Seed Systems Product Diary presents new rice varieties

by Veronica Mae Escarez Rice is a staple crop in the Philippines, and it serves as the main source of calories for millions of Filipino households. However, the country is vulnerable to various climatic threats and shocks such as flooding and drought, driving millions in capital losses for smallholder rice farmers and threatening the nation’s food security. The Philippine

Agricultural systems are changing quickly, and modern tools are essential to maximize productivity. To make informed decisions, farmers and researchers need the help of agricultural tools to provide them with accurate and precise input data.   Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are one such tools.    Using drones for agricultural research requires careful planning and clear procedures to

NOAKHALI, Bangladesh (10 May 2025) — To accelerate the adoption of high-performing rice varieties, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) jointly organized a Crop Cafeteria Field Day at the BADC Subarnachar farm in Noakhali. The initiative aimed to provide a scientific yet participatory platform for varietal assessment. Since 2019, IRRI and BADC have

Can Tho City, Vietnam (April 9, 2025) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) held a conference to review the initial outcomes of the One-Million-Hectare High-Quality and Low-Emission Rice Program (1mHa Program). Early findings indicate lower production costs, higher yields, and increased farmer income, signaling a step forward for sustainable rice farming in the Mekong River Delta (MRD). According

HYDERABAD, India (01 May 2025) – To accelerate the adoption of newly released, high-performing rice varieties in India, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) convened a national-level gathering of the country’s key rice seed system stakeholders at the Seed Accelerator Meet 2025 in Hyderabad. The event aimed to strengthen India’s rice seed delivery ecosystem by enhancing coordination between research institutions