August 2, 2022 by irrieducation Technology Transfer 0 comments

Rice: Research to Production

This course covers the basics of rice production, an overview of the changes and challenges in the rice industry from production to market, an awareness of the research considerations around the rice-based agri-food systems, advancements in rice breeding, the socio-economic and environmental aspects of rice production, latest innovations in rice science, and building effective collaborations within the international research community.

Facilitated by the respective experts in IRRI, course activities range from instructor-led lectures, open discussions, asynchronous sessions, and hands-on field exercises.

Objectives

Learn the basics of rice production
Appreciate rice varietal diversity
Examine the research and development issues related to food security
Apply the necessary hands-on skills related to rice production and breeding
Build effective international collaborations

Key Modules

Rice production basics
Rice research and development
Rice breeding methodologies
Farmer participatory research and technology transfer
Effective ways to structure international collaboration

Target Audience

This course is aimed at early career researchers and graduate (MS and PhD) students.

Prerequisites

None. However participants should note that the course does require some outdoor physical exertion.

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Course Dates

May 26 to June 13, 2025

Deadline of Application

April 1, 2025

Course Fee

USD 3,750

Click here to apply!

Featured Resource Persons

Amelia Henry (Senior Scientist II – Stress Physiology and Research Unit Leader – Traits for Challenged Environments, Rice Breeding Innovations, International Rice Research Institute)

The main focus of Amelia Henry’s research has been to support the drought trait development pipeline at IRRI. Her research group’s activities include identification of new accessions for drought and direct seeded rice breeding based on physiological mechanisms, dissecting the mechanisms behind major-effect drought-yield QTLs identified by the IRRI drought breeding group, pinpointing genes linked to drought response in rice using transgenics and association panels, and improving basic understanding of water uptake by rice roots under drought with an emphasis on traits affecting root hydraulic properties.

Amelia has also engaged in an intensive drought environment and physiological characterization with more than 15 partners at sites across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh to support capacity building for drought screening. These activities are in line with IRRI’s mission to train and collaborate with partners in rice-growing countries to disseminate new technologies and help develop the next generation of rice scientists.

Amelia joined IRRI as a Postdoctoral Fellow – Drought Physiology in 2008. Prior to her being the Research Unit Leader for Traits for Challenged Environments, she was Scientist I (2011-2013), Scientist II (2014-2016), and Senior Scientist I (2017-2020). She has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños since 2018.

Amelia holds a PhD in Plant Biology from the Pennsylvania State University, USA. She obtained her MS and BSc (Distinction in Research) degrees in Plant Science from Utah State University, USA and Cornell University, USA, respectively.

Parthiban Thathapalli Prakash (Scientist I – Breeding Optimization, International Rice Research Institute)

Dr. Parthiban Thathapalli Prakash is currently a Scientist I (medium maturity rice breeder) of IRRI and responsible for Breeding Optimization. He has extensive experience in genomic selection, plant breeding, drought physiology and genetics and statistical data analysis.

He first joined IRRI as a postdoctoral fellow in 2019. He was engaged in implementing genomic selection analysis and rapid-cycle breeding strategies to increase yield and achieve higher genetic gain in South Asia and Eastern Southern Africa.

Prior to joining IRRI, he worked at Dow AgroSciences as a R&D intern. He was involved in the project that optimizes the genetic evaluation runs in maize using R and ASReml.

Dr. Parthiban Thathapalli Prakash holds a PhD in Crop Sciences from University of Illinois Urbana. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and he obtained dual Master’s degree in Plant Biotechnology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and Plant Breeding and Genetics from Cornell University, respectively.