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
PHOTO: An irrigation project in Mozambique. Marcos Villalta / Save the Children, CC BY-NC-ND By: Kalle Hirvonen, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute; Research Fellow, UNU-WIDER, United Nations University & Olli-Pekka Kuusela, Research Fellow, UNU-WIDER, United Nations University As global temperatures rise and climate-related disasters become more frequent, the need to adapt is rapidly increasing. That need for adaptation – from
Smallholder farmers in Kenya are transforming their farming practices through a bundled service model by ECREA, KALRO, KMD and the county government of Nakuru. In March 2025, a donor visit in Nakuru showcased how this model boosts resilience to climate shocks. For years, smallholder farmers in Kenya have faced fragmented access to essential agricultural services. Weather and climate information
Farm mechanization is reshaping rural Tanzania, giving women and youth new tools to reduce labor, grow income, and lead community change. Beneath vast Tanzanian skies, where fields stretch like patchwork quilts of promise, a quiet revolution is taking root. It doesn’t shout—but whispers change with every turn of a wheel and every hand freed from the weight of tradition.
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