In a fragile balance, how do we protect a staple that feeds billions? LOS BAÑOS, Philippines (19 August 2025) — The global rice market plays a central role in food security, trade stability, and rural livelihoods across much of Asia and Africa. In recognition of its importance, the 2025 Council for Partnerships on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) Science
By Abdul Haque, Sharif Ahmed, and Humnath Bhandari The economy of Bangladesh is largely dependent on agriculture, and most of the people are dependent on it directly and indirectly. Agriculture remains vital for GDP (11.3%), employment, and food security. But nowadays, this sector faces several challenges, such as climate change, labor shortages, increasing input costs, and price volatility of produced
By Mou Rani Sarker, Bushra Humaira, Sharif Ahmed, and Humnath Bhandari In Bangladesh, food insecurity and malnutrition remain widespread, affecting more than 60 million people across the country. Despite national efforts to improve food access, about 35% of the population still doesn’t get enough to eat. Women and children carry the greatest burden. Among women aged 15-49, nearly half are
By Ankita Tiwari Across the Global South, countries face shared challenges, climate change, food insecurity, fragmented markets, and limited resources for research and innovation. Yet these nations also share a unique strength: a wealth of knowledge, diverse farming practices, and complementary innovations that, if exchanged and scaled, can transform agriculture and rural livelihoods. This is the promise of South–South cooperation,
By Nusrat Jahan, Muhiuddin Faruquee, and Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Bangladesh, August 2025 – After five years of intensive research and collaboration, the Haor-KGF project has reached a major milestone: the development of advanced short-duration, cold-tolerant rice lines that can help farmers in Bangladesh’s flood-prone Haor wetlands secure harvests before the waters rise. Researchers and partners unite at the Haor-KGF Project
By Rhowell Tiozon and Glenn Concepcion For the nearly 9,000 years since its domestication, rice has been selectively bred to feed a growing global population, becoming a staple food source that provides essential calories for billions. However, this long history of artificial selection has come at a cost. In prioritizing traits like higher yield and easier processing, humans have inadvertently
By Carlito Balingbing and Glenn Concepcion In a significant stride towards safeguarding global food security and reducing reliance on harmful pesticides, a new study has identified simple, environmentally friendly attractants that can effectively monitor and control insect pests in stored rice. This innovative research, spearheaded by scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and partner institutions, offers a sustainable
Government-led policies are propelling Odisha’s journey toward nutrition-sensitive agriculture Edited by Ankita Tiwari India’s nutrition challenge India, despite being one of the world’s largest producers of rice, continues to grapple with serious nutrition challenges. According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 36% of children under five are stunted, 19% are wasted, and 32% are underweight. Anaemia is rising