International Rice Research Institute

International Rice Research Institute
Motto "Rice Science For A Better World"
Formation 1960
Type Non-profit research and training center
Purpose Research
Headquarters Los Baños, Laguna
Location
Region served
 Worldwide
Director General
 Dr. Robert S. Zeigler
Main organ
 Board of Trustees
Parent organization
 Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Budget
 US$93.52 million (2013)[1]
Staff
 1,300[2]
Website www.irri.org

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an international research and training organization with headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna in the Philippines and offices in sixteen countries.[3][4] The non-governmental organization (NGO) was established in 1960 to develop new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques with finding sustainable ways to improve the well-being of poor rice farmers and consumers as well as the environment in mind.

The institute is one of 15 agricultural research centers on the world that form CGIAR. It is also the largest non-profit agricultural research center in Asia.[5]

IRRI received the 2010 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the category of Development Cooperation.

Origins

IRRI was established in 1960 with the support of the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and the Government of the Philippines.[6]

Impact

Entrance to the IRRI Headquarters at Los Baños, Laguna with Mt. Makiling in the background.

IRRI is well known for its contribution to the "Green Revolution" movement in Asia during the late 1960s and 1970s, which involved the breeding of "semidwarf" varieties of rice that were less likely to lodge (fall over). The varieties developed at IRRI, known as IR varieties, are well accepted in many Asian countries. In 2005, it was estimated that 60% of the world's rice area was planted to IRRI-bred rice varieties or their progenies.[7]

A report published by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research in 2011 assessed the impact of IRRI's breeding work in three countries in South East Asia between 1985 and 2009. It found IRRI's breeding work delivered an annual benefit of US$1.46 billion and boosted rice yields up to 13%.[8]

Research

IRRI scientist (rt) talks to farmer in Bangladesh amidst rice crop.

IRRI's current scope of research covers:[9]

In 2010, the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) was launched, which IRRI leads in Asia, the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) leads in Africa, and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) leads in Latin America. It aims to "dramatically improve the ability of rice farmers to feed growing populations in some of the world’s poorest nations".[10]

Facilities

Inside the International Rice Genebank at IRRI.

IRRI's headquarters in the Philippines is located on a 252 hectares (620 acres) experimental farm with modern laboratories and glasshouses, and a training center. The land is owned by the University of the Philippines and is leased to the institute. It also houses the International Rice Genebank and Riceworld Museum.

See also

References

External links

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Coordinates: 14°10′12″N 121°15′25″E / 14.170°N 121.257°E