News & Events

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), through its capacity-building arm, IRRI Education, held a three-day training workshop on the Introduction to the CGIAR Innovation Packages and Scaling Readiness (IPSR) from September 18 to 20, 2024, at IRRI Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. The CGIAR IPSR course aimed to improve the efficiency and impact of research for development programs by encouraging critical reflection on how ready innovations are for scaling.

Participants are trained to design, implement, and monitor scaling strategies for cross-CGIAR initiatives. Project performance is tracked using the principles and tools of Scaling Readiness, a framework developed by CGIAR and led by Wageningen University and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), to support decision-making on the scaling of innovations. Through this, project members can identify bottlenecks, make informed decisions, and make strategic solutions thereby improving prospects for success at scale. Standardization of such processes allows initiatives to also track their contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

IRRI Human Resource Partner for Learning and Development Angelica Valerie De Jesus, emphasized the need to put knowledge into action, urging participants to take the insights they gained back to their workplaces to share with others. She hoped this initiative would lead to meaningful change for IRRI, in partnership with CGIAR, in fulfilling its mission.

“Beyond developing innovations, we should also look into how these will benefit the institution’s main beneficiaries – the farmers.”, shared IRRI’s Project Development and Deployment Manager Rowena Castillo. She hoped this training would not be the last and that this initial encounter would lead to deeper learning opportunities in the future.

Over the course of three days, 13 IRRI employees involved in various CGIAR Initiatives engaged in sessions that focused on key topics such as the fundamentals of scaling innovation, innovation profiling, and scaling readiness. They participated in hands-on activities to assess innovation readiness and develop scaling strategies. Notable sessions included a presentation and panel discussion on the strategies and lessons from PhilRice’s scaling efforts, led by Dr. Jaime Manalo IV, Scientist II and Head of Socio-economic Division, along with workshops facilitated by Dr. Murat Sartas, Innovation, Scaling, and Impact Management Scientist for CGIAR and Wageningen University. The training culminated in group presentations, allowing participants to apply what they had learned and share their insights with one another.

Ms. Elizabeth Alcachupas, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, described the training as “an incredibly transformative experience.” She highlighted, “The training was not only well-structured but also deeply insightful, helping me develop skills in using the tools available on the CGIAR website. The trainers were knowledgeable and approachable, ensuring that complex concepts of scaling and innovation were easy to grasp through practical examples. I highly recommend IPSR training to anyone.”

Ms. Krystle Ambayec-Dino, Partnership and Capacity Building Coordinator, also expressed her satisfaction with the course, stating, “This course provided me with the knowledge and skills to better identify innovations, profile their readiness, and effectively package them for scaling up to the end users, thereby enhancing our efforts in research for development at IRRI.”
Following the success of the program and positive feedback from participants, the training team is exploring the possibility of offering the course again next year.

Learn more about this training course and other programs offered by IRRI Education at education.irri.org

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), through IRRI Education as its capacity development vertical, hosted a three-day training workshop on Self-Sufficiency, Food Security, and Agricultural Transformation from September 10 to 12, 2024. The training aimed to enhance understanding of food security and self-sufficiency and explore policy approaches for achieving these goals.

“We are excited to finally host this program, a vision that began in 2019 that aims to provide participants with a deep understanding of the key concepts, policies, and trade-offs that shape food systems around the world,” shared IRRI Education Head Dr. Anilyn Maningas. IRRI Director General Dr. Yvonne Pinto emphasized the importance of the course in addressing current food security challenges, highlighting the interplay between technology and policy. “Ensuring that policies have the right feedback and we are responsive to that feedback is critical,” she stated.

Key sessions included a presentation by IRRI Senior Scientist II for Agricultural Economics Dr. Valerien Pede and Senior Economist for Food Policy Analysis Dr. David Dawe on food security and self-sufficiency. A panel discussion featuring Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Senior Research Fellow Dr. Roehlano Briones, Former Private Sector Member, Monetary Board at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dr. Bruce Tolentino, and Former Member of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) Advisory Council Dr. Fermin Adriano. The panel examined the Philippine Rice Trade Liberalization (RTL) law, noting its role in lowering rice prices for consumers while reducing input costs for farmers and the importance of ensuring competition among rice traders.

The final day featured Dr. Dawe and International Food Policy Research Institute Emeritus Fellow Dr. Howarth Bouis as the main resource persons. Dr. Dawe provided in-depth insights on agricultural and structural transformation, while Dr. Bouis focused on the importance of agricultural policy in promoting nutrition security.

The event brought together 23 participants from IRRI, DA-PhilRice, the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Caraga State University, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). A post-course assessment will be conducted to gauge the effectiveness of the training workshop and to inform potential improvements for future offerings.

Learn more about this training course and other programs offered by IRRI Education, visit education.irri.org

In an effort to share the current research, knowledge, and practices, IRRI Education, the educational and capacity building arm of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), recently organized a comprehensive training on genomic prediction and data-driven crop breeding. Held from August 5 to 9, 2024, the training attracted a diverse group of participants from Asia and Africa, to learn about the genomic selection and other data-driven strategies in crop breeding.

This training course was conceptualized and initiated by IRRI’s scientists Dr. Waseem Hussain, IRRI’s Senior Scientist I in Plant Breeding, Dr. Eduardo (Giovanny) Covarrubias-Pazaran Senior Scientist II – Quantitative Genetics and Biometrics; Dr. Mahender Anumalla, Scientist I – Breeding Long Duration Rice; Dr. Parthiban Thathapalli Prakash, Scientist I – Breeding Optimization; Ms. Leilani Nora, Specialist – Statistics; and Ms. Alaine Gulles, Lead Specialist – Biometrics and Breeding Analytics It aimed to integrate knowledge in quantitative genetics, predictive breeding, and innovative breeding methods. This includes a comprehensive understanding of quantitative genetics and statistical genomics, enabling participants to apply these tools for genomic selection effectively. A total of 20 scientists and crop breeders from India, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Senegal, and Nepal participated in this 5-day course.

Over the course of five days, the participants engaged in intensive discussions involving theoretical concepts as well as practical and hands-on exercises. Structured into five modules, the training sessions covered topics on the R software and R markdown, quantitative genetics, statistical modeling in predictive genetics and breeding, implementation of genomic selection in plant breeding, dissecting G x E interactions and crossing strategies.

Apart from the classroom sessions where they interacted with the resource persons, the participants also had the opportunity to visit IRRI’s Genotyping Service Lab, which offers trait genotyping with over 100 validated SNP markers for 25 QTLs/genes related to biotic and abiotic stresses, grain quality and yield. They also visited the International Rice Genebank that holds more than 132,000 available accessions, making it the collection of rice genetic diversity in the world. This excursion allowed them to understand the scale and diversity of rice germplasm, which is crucial for applying genomic predictions and breeding methods effectively.

During the course closing program, all the resource persons expressed their gratitude to the participants. They echoed the same sentiments, assuring the participants that all of them are available in case any of them have any additional queries or if they are interested in collaborating.

Dr. Anilyn Maningas, Head of IRRI Education congratulated the participants for completing the intensive training. She hoped that they share the knowledge and skills they have been equipped with with their colleagues in their respective institutions.

After the program, participants shared their thoughts, feedbacks, and key takeaways. Katreena Navea from IRRI headquarters remarked, “As someone involved in pre-breeding, my understanding and exposure to the comprehensive activities of the breeding programs is limited. The training course has significantly deepened my understanding of the modern breeding process and the theories behind it. Aside from the knowledge gained from the modules, the course has also been helpful in looking at the processes in a holistic perspective, and how our team’s pre-breeding efforts contribute and align to the overall goals IRRI’s breeding strategies”

Md. Moniruzzaman from IRRI Bangladesh commented, “We have received a lot of essential R scripts as well as soft copies of the training materials. Besides this, we also did hands-on practice and ran the analysis with demo data, which was very interesting and will be useful for my own program”.

Another participant shared, “[This is a] highly recommended course. All the RPs are well equipped and provide a practical approach on the modern breeding models and tools. It can improve one’s approach on conducting breeding programs”.

Learn more about this training course and other programs offered by IRRI Education, visit education.irri.org

Earlier this year, IRRI Education opened applications for the Fundamentals of Genomic Predictions and Data-Driven Crop Breeding training course. On 5 August 2024, 20 researchers and plant breeders from India, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Senegal, and Nepal convened at IRRI headquarters in the Philippines to participate in the training.

The five-day training was designed to provide participants with knowledge and understanding of genomic selection and other data-driven strategies in crop breeding, including a comprehensive understanding of quantitative genetics and statistical genomics. By the end of the program, participants are expected to apply these tools for genomic selection in their own breeding programs effectively.

The training was officially inaugurated by Dr. Yvonne Pinto, IRRI’s new Director General. She remarked, “I know this is a very intensive 5-day course, I hope that this will be an opportunity for you to learn from each others’ experiences as well as to see what we have here at IRRI and the progress we’re making in multiple capacities. For IRRI, in terms of the next 10 years, this field, combined with novel technologies in the form of AI and environmental interactions including omics – that is really where I see the future going. If you talk to Hans [Bhardwaj] about some of the work that his team is doing, they have been accelerating breeding opportunities at the same time, and we are in the process of building a SpeedBreeding facility here. So I think there are plenty of different angles that you can look at in order to advance your understanding. I hope that you take the opportunity, make use of the team, and enjoy your stay here and I look forward to hearing about your experiences following the course”.

Dr. Hans Bhardwaj, Research Director and Head of IRRI’s Rice Breeding Innovations platform, was also present during the opening ceremony. He discussed the recent changes in plant breeding as a science, emphasizing the need for breeders to maintain a product pipeline in their programs to ensure more precise, targeted, faster, cost-effective, and impactful varieties. He assured the participants that they would be learning from IRRI scientists actively working in the field and hoped they find the topics interesting, educational, and informative.

Over the next five days, the participants will be engaged in synchronous and asynchronous discussions involving theoretical concepts, practical and hands-on exercises, and self-paced e-learning activities.

Dr. Waseem Hussain, Senior Scientist I – Plant Breeding; Dr. Eduardo (Giovanny) Covarrubias-Pazaran Senior Scientist II – Quantitative Genetics and Biometrics; Dr. Mahender Anumalla, Scientist I – Breeding Long Duration Rice; Dr. Parthiban Thathapalli Prakash, Scientist I – Breeding Optimization; Ms. Leilani Nora, Specialist – Statistics; and Ms. Alaine Gulles, Lead Specialist – Biometrics and Breeding Analytics are the resource persons for the Course

The course will conclude on 9 August 2024 with participants expected to have gained an enhanced understanding of quantitative genetics, statistical models used in performing genomic predictions, and how to perform genomic selection in breeding programs.

Learn more about IRRI Education and its programs at education.irri.org or email us at education@irri.org

As one journey comes to an end, a new opportunity arises.

Rice: Research to Production (RR2P) program offers a deep dive into the significant impact of rice science on food production and sustainability for students and researchers. IRRI Education, concluding its 17th flagship offering of the RR2P course, opens new doors for future researchers to advance rice science. “As the lead facilitator of this year’s RR2P training course, it has been a delightful learning experience with our participants from around the world, who came from different cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds, enriching each session with a diverse perspective,” Aaron Paul Landicho, IRRI Education Junior Facilitator said. This year, 13 students and 4 professionals participated in IRRI Education’s RR2P Program from May 27 to June 14, 2024.

Under IRRI’s partnership with Purdue University, eight students were given the opportunity to continue with another three-week internship that specialized in rice research projects, which included extensive hands-on laboratory and fieldwork experience. The internship concluded on July 5, 2024. Together with IRRI’s leading scientists, the participants engaged in lectures and discussions of their field expertise, exemplifying the program’s innovative spirit.

RR2P Beyond the Four Walls of the Classroom

The RR2P educational course initiative extends beyond conventional learning experiences. Combining rigorous academic training with hands-on research and cultural emission, providing students with transformative experiences, they engaged in field activities such as rice planting, designing and implementing inclusive rice research development, hands-on disease and pest indication assessment, breeding activity selections, and measuring greenhouse gas emissions, among others, which helped students gain an in-depth understanding of rice science.

Outside of IRRI, they also had the opportunity to visit several agricultural institutions and companies to learn how some challenges to global food resources are addressed by different agencies and organizations based in the Philippines including Straw Innovations Ltd in Pila, Laguna; Corteva Agriscience Asia Pacific Regional Laboratory in Tarlac; and Department of Agriculture Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in Nueva Ecija.

Participants also visited beautiful agricultural sights in the Philippines and joined in a range of cultural experiences, such as a team-building activity at Batangas Beach, a visit to Banaue Rice Terraces, and a trip to the farmers at Victoria, Laguna. By interacting with locals, learners explored Indigenous knowledge. Jenna Matsuyama, an incoming senior botany student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, said, “I never knew anything about rice, and now I feel like I’m an expert.”

Connecting with Culture

One of the unique aspects of the RR2P course is showcasing Filipino culture. Rice is not just a staple food in the country but an integral part of Filipino culture. Throughout the program, students immerse themselves in rich traditional practices. This cultural experience helps them appreciate its significance in Filipino culture and daily life.

Students had the chance to engage with the local tribes, learning about their dances, culture, and farming practices. They enjoyed local activities like merienda and a communal feast known as boodle fight. Miles Lee, an incoming senior studying sustainable land and food systems at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, expressed, “I wanted to see how agriculture was done in other parts of the world. It is my belief that food can unite people and I have no doubt in the power of human collaboration and bringing people together. This program allowed me to do that”

Purposeful Internship Projects

Participants of the internship delve into cutting-edge research and innovative projects that address some of the most pressing challenges in rice agriculture today. Jenna shared her fruitful research experience focusing on grain quality and nutrition. Her project centered on phytochemicals and antioxidants in brown rice, aiming to enhance its nutritional value under the supervision of Dr. Nese Sreenivasulu’s laboratory.

Jenna explains, “With climate change and bad things in the air creating these free radicals that harm our bodies… If we get these antioxidants in our brown rice, which is a bulk of most people’s diet, then these antioxidants will help reduce free radicals.” This enhancement could provide dietary solutions to combat adverse effects of environmental pollutants, contributing to better public health.

Meanwhile, Miles worked on a project addressing the challenges upland farmers face. Through the help of Dr. Shalabh Dixit’s team, his research project banked on direct seeding and deep sowing of rice, a technique that could be used in areas with limited access to irrigation.

“Deep sowing is necessary because a lot of farmers in the upland areas, away from the running water, would rely on rainfall to irrigate their crops, and sometimes these areas experience drought,” Miles noted. “By planting seeds at a depth of 8 centimeters instead of 2 centimeters, rice seedlings can access water that may be deeper below the soil profile.” This approach increases the chances of crop survival during periods of drought. By understanding sustainable farming practices that are resilient to climate change, Miles aims to help address environmental challenges and improve food security.

Cultivating the Future

RR2P and the internship opportunity bridge innovation and cultural immersion, empowering students to tackle agricultural challenges. Despite the tight timelines and laboratory challenges in the internship project, the invaluable support from mentors Glenn Vincent Ong and Kimberly Ponce helped them thrive. These programs help equip future researchers like Jenna Matsuyama and Miles Lee to make a meaningful impact on the world.

“I would recommend RR2P for anyone who wants to know more about how food is grown throughout the world and how people interact with food under different systems of living. This course really makes you think about how we can help the world and find solutions. Educate, impact, and inspire; that is how I’d describe RR2P,” said Miles.

Impact for Partnership

Partnership amplifies the reach and impact of scientific research and education, creating ripples of positive change in the world of science. IRRI and Purdue University’s long-standing collaboration since 2021 has allowed undergraduate students to participate in groundbreaking rice research. Purdue and its affiliated institutions—North Carolina A&T State University, Florida A&M University, University of Illinois, Tuskegee University, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa—enabled students to partake in an RR2P course and gain firsthand experience from a three-week internship project in contribution to global efforts to enhance rice production and sustainability.

Dr. Anilyn Maningas, Head of IRRI Education, said, “This final year of our partnership with Purdue has brought together one of the best batches we’ve seen over the last three years. Continue on your journey and make a lasting impact in the world of rice research.” Through such impactful collaborations, IRRI expands and influences, fostering a network of skilled and dedicated individuals committed to transforming the rice industry.

Join the future of Rice Research! Learn about rice science through RR2P!

Visit IRRI Education and see other internship opportunities

The International Rice Research Institute and the Innovations for Poverty Action held a four-day capacity-building program for monitoring and evaluation, participated by 47 project development officers, project evaluation officers, and planning officers from
different government and non-government institutions.

The training conducted last 24-27 June 2024 at IRRI Headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines is one of the initiatives under the IRRI-IPA partnership that generally aims to further strengthen cooperation among lPA researchers and lRRI rice scientists. This training program aimed to enhance the monitoring, evaluation, and learning capabilities of both organizations while exploring the relationship between poverty alleviation and agricultural development.

Dr. Joanna Kane-Potaka, Deputy Director General for Strategy, Engagement, and Impact of IRRI, opened the program with a message, thanking IPA for initiating the collaboration. She emphasized that monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment will always be valuable at both the individual and management level, and how relevant the training is especially since IRRI will be implementing a new strategic planning process within the year.

Dr. Valerian Pede, IRRI’s Senior Scientist in Agricultural Economics and one of the course’s resource persons, echoed this sentiment. He emphasized that everyone should engage in monitoring and evaluation as it is crucial for demonstrating impact, particularly to donors, allowing them to understand the progress and success of the projects.

Aftab Opel, IPA’s Country Director for the Philippines, in his opening message, discussed the origins of the collaboration and the initial plans set by IRRI and IPA. He then outlined the expectations for the four-day program, highlighting the presence of various experts who would cover technical topics. He emphasized that the most critical takeaway is the importance of using the right data and evidence in their projects and programs.

Over the course of four days, the participants took part in 12 sessions that focused on emphasizing the importance of M&E in evidence-based policymaking and programming; exploring the relationship between agricultural development, poverty alleviation, and evidence-based interventions; and equipping them with practical skills and tools for conducting effective M&E in agricultural projects. The program also facilitated knowledge sharing and collaboration among participants towards sustainable agricultural development.

Aside from the synchronous and asynchronous discussions involving theoretical concepts, and practical and hands-on exercises, participants also had the opportunity to visit and tour some of IRRI’s facilities including the International Rice Genebank (IRG), the world’s largest repository of rice genetic diversity; the Lloyd T. Evans Plant Growth Facility (PGF), and the long term continuous cropping experiment (LTCCE), the world’s longest running experiment on triple rice cropping system.

At the end of the training, participants shared their experiences and key takeaways. Mr. Ronal Jeremy Antonio, Economics Consultant at IRRI noted “This is an effective training course if you want to learn the fundamentals and basic applications of M&E and is highly recommended for all professionals regardless of work and educational background”.

Another participant from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Mr. Alvin Quiel Sabanal, expressed how the training will be useful in his work. “The hands-on exercises and case studies from different resource persons were valuable, allowing us to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios. I especially appreciated the modules on Theory of Change which is important in my line of work.” He added, “I highly recommend this comprehensive course to project managers seeking a deeper understanding of the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of M&E. As my personal target outcome, I am eager to apply what I’ve learned to my current job, and I believe this training will significantly enhance my ability to deliver impactful projects”.

Alongside Dr. Pede, experts from IPA namely Ms. Karisha Cruz, Mr. Yuri Leomo, and Ms. Soumya Kochhar served as the primary resource persons for the training. Additionally, Dr. Maximin Kodjo from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Ms. Arushi Pankaj Dubey from UN Women; Dr. Lorna Sister, Dr. Juan M. Pulhin, from the University of the Philippines Los Banos; and Dr. Solomon and Svetlana Ms. Negroustoueva from CGIAR were invited to share their experiences in M&E and insightful case studies from the agricultural development ecosystem.

From the success of the program and based on the feedback from the participants, the training team from IPA and IRRI are currently discussing the possibility of offering the program annually.

About IRRI Education

IRRI Education is the educational and capacity-building arm of IRRI. Since 1962, IRRI Education has been imparting capacity development programs in various rice science and technology disciplines and offering diverse and global learning experiences for students, early career researchers, scientists, and other professionals. It operates with five service portfolios – Short and Long Courses, Scholars and Youth Engagement, Online Learning and Product Development, Knowledge Sharing, and Advisory around Capacity Development. These pillars underpin IRRI Education’s commitment to producing holistic and integrated learning solutions, addressing learning gaps and expectations with sound educational innovations.

Visit education.irri.org to learn more

About Innovations for Poverty Action

The Innovations for Poverty Action is a global research and policy nonprofit committed to reducing global poverty with evidence. With a network of partners and researchers, IPA designs and tests innovative solutions, supports partners in generating and using data and evidence and helps bring proven approaches to scale across the globe.

Visit https://poverty-action.org/ to learn more

Eighteen agriculture students and researchers from diverse backgrounds in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, the United States, Ghana, Nigeria, and Bangladesh recently gathered at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Headquarters in the Philippines. They came together to participate in one of IRRI Education’s flagship courses, Rice Research to Production (RR2P).

The RR2P course is an immersive three-week training program that covers the basics of rice production, the changes and challenges in the rice industry from production to market, the different 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.

The course officially started on 27 May. Present during the opening program was IRRI’s Deputy Director General for Strategy, Engagement, and Impact, Joanna Kane-Potaka, who delivered a message emphasizing the importance of IRRI’s work, especially in the current climate where rice production must consider not only its profitability but also its environmental impact and value to consumers.

She briefly introduced some of the major projects IRRI is focusing on, particularly in the field of nutrition. After releasing low and ultra-low glycemic index (GI) rice, IRRI is now working on enhancing these rice varieties to also be high in protein. Additionally, IRRI has successfully incorporated high-yield and high-zinc traits into all its breeding lines.

Dr. Potaka concluded her message by reiterating the significant impact rice can have on the planet and its people. She expressed her excitement for participants to gain a deeper understanding of this as they progress through the course.

Building on Dr. Potaka’s message, Dr. Amelia Henry, IRRI’s Senior Scientist II in Stress Physiology and the course’s main coordinator, gave an overview of the course. She emphasized its primary objective: showcasing the significant impact of rice science. She hoped that through the RR2P course, participants would see the connection between all of IRRI’s work, from upstream research to the adoption of technologies, all aimed at making a positive impact. Another important aspect that the course intends to highlight is the importance of teamwork. Dr. Henry shared how all IRRI scientists from different backgrounds and disciplines, from breeding all the way to economics, are working together to create an impact. In a similar manner, she hopes that the participants throughout this course will also demonstrate teamwork.

Dr. Henry outlined the lectures and activities that the participants will be engaging in for the next three weeks. Apart from lectures and discussions with IRRI experts, they will also visit IRRI fields and laboratories and conduct practical activities and exercises. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to visit several agricultural institutions and companies to learn how some challenges to global food resources are addressed by different agencies and institutions based in the Philippines.

The participants also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Ajay Kohli, Deputy Director General for Research Delivery and Innovations, who previously served as IRRI’s Interim Director General. After welcoming the participants, he provided insights into the institution’s history and its current research initiatives, highlighting its commitment to agricultural development. He concluded with remarks on upcoming changes and anticipated collaborations under the new Director General, Dr. Yvonne Pinto.

Partnership for Impact

Partnerships are essential in magnifying the impact of scientific research and education. One notable collaboration is between IRRI and Purdue University. In 2021, Purdue received a grant from the National Science Foundation for the Plant Science for Global Food Security (PSGFS) Program. Since then, this collaboration has allowed eight undergraduate students from Purdue and its partner universities – North Carolina A & T University, Florida A &M University, University of Illinois, Tuskegee University, and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – to participate in the RR2P course at IRRI. These students gain hands-on experience and insight into cutting-edge rice research, learning directly from IRRI’s leading scientists. This immersive experience not only enhances their academic and professional development but also inspires them to contribute to the global mission of improving rice production and sustainability.

Through such partnerships, IRRI extends its reach and influence, creating a network of knowledgeable and passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on the world’s rice industry.

Dr. Gary Burniske, Managing Director of the Center for Global Food Security at Purdue University was also present during the opening program.

About the RR2P Course

RR2P was conceptualized through the collaborative efforts of IRRI and Cornell University scientists, with the aim to open young scientists to the challenges and opportunities of rice science to meet the global challenges of food security and to improve the livelihoods of resource-poor rice producers.

Since its first implementation in 2007, the RR2P program has empowered over 300 individuals with the essential skills, knowledge, and networks needed to address the pressing challenges confronting the global rice industry.

Read more about the course and its impact here.

About IRRI Education

IRRI Education is the educational and capacity-building arm of IRRI. Since 1962, IRRI Education has been imparting capacity development programs in various rice science and technology disciplines and offering diverse and global learning experiences for students, early career researchers, scientists, and other professionals. It operates with five service portfolios – Short and Long Courses, Scholars and Youth Engagement, Online Learning and Product Development, Knowledge Sharing, and Advisory around Capacity Development. These pillars underpin IRRI Education’s commitment to producing holistic and integrated learning solutions, addressing learning gaps and expectations with sound educational innovations.

Visit education.irri.org to learn more

As part of the collaboration between the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of South Korea, IRR Education, the educational arm of IRRI, is conducting a five-day intensive course on the advances of rice production participated by select researchers and extension workers from RDA’s partner countries.

Currently, 23 agricultural technicians and extension agents from Bhutan, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, South Korea, and Myanmar have convened at the IRRI headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines to learn about the necessary elements in growing and producing rice – from land preparation to post-harvest operations.

The training also integrates modules from the Sustainable Rice Platform’s “Driving Sustainable Rice Cultivation: Understanding the SRP Standard and Performance Indicators Training Course”, one of the most relevant courses on best climate-smart and sustainable practices in rice production. This is an intensive learning program designed to help participants relate the benefits of sustainable rice farming to farmers; explain the SRP Standards on rice cultivation and the performance indicators; and conduct data collection and assessment among farmers to measure compliance with the SRP performance indicators.

The training program was officially opened on 6 May 2024. In her welcome message, Dr. Anilyn Maningas, Head of IRRI Education, gave a brief background of the training program, emphasizing the SRP module component. She mentioned that after they complete the training and pass the certification exam, they will be awarded the SRP Authorized Trainer certification for Standard Performance and Indicators (SPI), which will qualify them to deliver training on the topic at scale.

IRRI’s Deputy Director General, Dr. Joanna Kane-Potaka also gave a message, expressing her gratitude to RDA for funding and supporting the training program. She underscored the importance of the training and their participation in it considering that it strongly aligns with IRRI’s three-fold core business including climate change mitigation, farmer prosperity, and nutritious rice.

Also present online via Zoom, were Dr. Seol Kuk-Hwan, International Technology Cooperation Center (ITCC) Head Coordinator and Director of Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI), and Mr. Jiwon Park, ITCC Project Coordinator.

Dr. Kuk-Hwan recalled how the IRRI-RDA partnership, since its inception in 2020, has trained and empowered several researchers and extension workers on topics including novel and key technologies in rice cultivation. He urged the participants to ensure that the expertise gained from this training will be applied to their respective countries afterward.

For the duration of the program, the participants will be exploring the best practices, innovations, and trends surrounding rice production, visiting IRRI’s field experiments, laboratories, and facilities, and interacting with IRRI experts.

For more updates on IRRI Education’s programs, visit education.irri.org

Research plays a crucial role in advancing the agriculture sector and addressing its pressing problems such as climate change, land degradation, and pest infestations by introducing new technologies and innovative solutions. However, conducting research alone is not enough. To truly drive development and progress in agriculture, it is essential to ensure that research is focused on the most pressing problems and that our findings are effectively translated into practical solutions.

IRRI Education, the educational arm of the International Rice Research Institute, in collaboration with IRRI’s Human Resources and Organizational Development Office, is jointly implementing the Research Proposal Writing Online Course and Project Management 101. This integrated course aims to equip the participants with the knowledge and competencies necessary to develop an effective and data-driven project-based research proposal. This will enable the participants to actively contribute in advancing any Research for Development and Extension (R4DE) initiative.

The course officially started today and will run until 23 April, with 15 participants coming from IRRI headquarters and country offices. It is being delivered fully online using a mixed modality of synchronous and asynchronous discussions through the Zoom platform. Online access to supplemental materials through the IRRI Education learning management system (openlearning.cgiar.org) is also provided.

Key topics covered in this 5-day course include an introduction to research proposal writing, initiation and planning, research proposal writing, other project considerations, basics of project cycle management for R4DE, project management tools and strategies, project management at IRRI, project monitoring and evaluation, project work plan preparation, project budget preparation, financial monitoring and reporting.

Read more about the course here.

IRRI Education offers a variety of courses hinged on the research and innovation of IRRI. To check the full list of courses offered, visit https://education.irri.org/short-long-courses/.

Rice is the world’s most important crop, feeding over half of the world’s population and serving as a vital source of employment and livelihood. However, now more than ever, the rice sector faces multiple threats: the rapidly growing population, unstable economies, natural resource limitations, and the inevitable adverse effects of climate change. The need to develop well-trained professionals, especially in the environmental sciences, the social sciences, and agribusiness, has never been more important.

In the pursuit of training the next generation of rice scientists, IRRI Education, the educational arm of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has been spearheading a remarkable initiative for the last 17 years, the Rice: Research to Production Training Course or RR2P.

RR2P was conceptualized through the collaborative efforts of IRRI scientists, Dr. Robert Zeigler, Dr. Hei Leung, and Dr. Noel Magor and Cornell University scientist, Dr. Susan McCouch, with the initial aim to open young scientists to the challenges and opportunities of rice science to meet the global challenges of food security and to improve the livelihoods of resource-poor rice producers.

In 2007, the first iteration of the training took place at the IRRI headquarters in Los Baños, Philippines with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.K.’s Gatsby Charitable Foundation. Since then, the RR2P course has been annually implemented, participated by a varied group of undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers.

The course follows an intensive three-week schedule composed of instructor-led lectures, open discussions, asynchronous sessions, and hands-on field exercises facilitated by respective experts in IRRI. Aside from these, participants also have the opportunity to visit public and private agricultural institutions in the Philippines and participate in a range of cultural experiences, such as a visit to the Banaue Rice Terraces. At the end of the training, participants will have gained an appreciation of the changes and challenges in the rice industry from production to market. Additionally, they will have a deeper understanding of the research issues of IRRI and its partners, advancements in rice breeding, and structuring effective collaboration within the international research community.

Since its inception, the RR2P program has empowered over 300 individuals with the essential skills, knowledge, and networks needed to address the pressing challenges confronting the global rice industry. These participants have formed a loose association of training alumni, fostering ongoing engagement and collaboration. Beyond personal and professional development, they have spearheaded initiatives benefiting broader communities. In 2014, the alumni association completed a successful fundraising campaign to procure and donate a mini hydrotiller to the Bocos Farmers Association in the Banaue rice terrace region—a community which many past RR2P participants have engaged with¹. These sustained collaborations underscore the fulfillment of one of the RR2P program’s core objectives: providing an international network for its participants to effect positive change.

One of the former participants, Dr. Royette Santos, reminisced about his journey with the training, “As a fresh graduate of BS in Agriculture way back in 2015, I was eager to expand my knowledge and practical skills in rice production. Recognizing the significance of rice as a staple food for millions, I saw this training as a golden opportunity to gain a deep understanding of rice cultivation, from basic principles to cutting-edge research”.

“The training equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of rice production, including breeding advancements, socio-economic and environmental considerations, and market dynamics. Additionally, the emphasis on building effective collaborations within the international research community has enhanced my networking skills and opened doors to collaborative opportunities”.

When asked about how RR2P has impacted his career path and professional growth, Dr. Santos shared that “it has broadened my career opportunities within the agriculture sector, enabling me to contribute more effectively to research and development initiatives related to rice production. Moreover, the training has boosted my confidence as an agronomist, enhancing my professional growth and opening doors to international collaborations”.

After completing the training, Dr. Santos worked at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) before pursuing his graduate studies in Agronomy at UPLB and participating in a youth exchange program for Science hosted by the University of Tokyo, Japan. Having recently earned his PhD degree, he is currently involved in IRRI as an Agronomist Consultant, working under the Climate-Resilient Farming System Unit of the Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department.

Another exemplary alumnus from the training is Dr. Diane Wang, who described the experience as “eye-opening”. She recalled: “In the lab back in the U.S., we worked on rice primarily using genetics approaches. During RR2P, I was able to place our more upstream research into a broader, global context and learn about the social and economic sides. It was also a really great opportunity to learn about different cultures in addition to rice science”.

Like Dr. Santos, Dr. Wang holds the course in high regard in terms of its impact on her career path and professional growth. “Attending this course and being able to stay on at IRRI several weeks longer ultimately influenced my decision to apply to graduate school and integrate international work into my PhD research. I ended up studying rice genomics, and now rice physiology and modeling are important components to my lab’s research portfolio,” said Dr. Wang.

She is currently an assistant professor in agronomy in Purdue University and is co-leading the Plant Science for Global Food Security (PSGFS), a project funded by the NSF that provides hands-on research experience and training program in international agriculture and plant science for undergraduates. “This initiative began as a way for me to ‘pay it forward’ to provide a unique international experience for bright young scientists interested broadly in global food security and the role of plant science, especially those who would not have otherwise had a chance to do something like a study abroad program. A positive international experience for students at a very early career stage has the potential to greatly impact career decisions, as it did mine”, Dr. Wang shared.

Through the PSGFS, undergraduate students at Purdue University and its five partner U.S. institutions are recruited each year to travel to IRRI, where they will participate in the RR2P for three weeks and conduct hands-on research alongside IRRI scientists and their teams to evaluate diverse rice genetic materials for another three weeks. The project started in 2021 and since then recruited students have been sharing how the experience has been eye-opening and rewarding²³⁴. Dr. Wang also shared that a number of these students are applying to or are already pursuing higher education in the field of plant science.

Dr. Amelia Henry, Senior Scientist II – Stress Physiology and Research Unit Leader – Traits for Challenged Environments, is currently the program’s training coordinator, alongside IRRI scientist Dr. Parthiban Prakash. On the highlights of the course, Dr. Henry shares, “For us at IRRI, we really look forward to hosting the RR2P course each year as it is a chance to interact with a group of very enthusiastic young scientists and to share some of the stories that inspired us to go into rice research as a career. Over time, the RR2P course has evolved to include more agronomic components in addition to its strong emphasis on rice genetic resources, which broadens the participants’ exposure to the components involved in rice production. In addition to the enriching course topics and in-field activities, I would say the interactions with other course participants is always a highlight, given that the group typically includes participants from different countries – all interested in learning about rice from their own perspectives”.

Over many years of implementation, the program may have undergone a few changes, however, the goal remains the same. Through the RR2P course, IRRI aims to develop a new generation of scientists who are well-networked in the international community and inspire them to engage deeper, consider a career in plant science, and eventually contribute to addressing global food security challenges.

Applications for the 2024 RR2P are currently underway. Interested applicants may visit bit.ly/IERR2P for more information or email education@irri.org