RR2P 2025: Connecting Global Perspectives with Ground-Level Realities in Rice Science

The Rice: Research to Production (RR2P) course returned in 2025 for its 18th run, reaffirming its commitment to immersive, hands-on learning that bridges the gap between science and practice. This year’s edition brought together a diverse cohort to study rice research and production at IRRI’s Headquarters. For three weeks, participants explored the entire rice value chain through lectures, laboratory and field activities, and community engagement.

Among the participants were Yvonne Njoki Ndaru from Kenya and Jongho Bae from South Korea. Sponsored by the IRRI-DANIDA project in Africa and the Global Rice Research Foundation (GRRF) respectively, both scholars entered the program with unique academic backgrounds and motivations. Yvonne is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science at Chuka University, with her research centered on how watering regimes and crop establishment methods affect greenhouse gas emissions in rice fields. Jongho, a Master’s student in Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, focuses on the role of rice trade in national food security and its implications for global inequality.

Despite coming from different disciplines, both participants were connected by a shared desire to make agriculture more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

An Eye-Opening Start

For Jongho, joining RR2P was a step toward bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and the day-to-day realities of farmers. “I wanted to better understand how agriculture actually works on the ground, and what challenges farmers face in their daily lives,” he said. As someone who had primarily studied agricultural trade and policy, RR2P offered an opportunity to explore the scientific and practical aspects of rice production that he had not previously encountered.

Yvonne, meanwhile, had long admired IRRI’s work and viewed the program as a vital step in her journey as a researcher. “The program’s emphasis on combining rigorous academic learning with real-world field experience immediately resonated with me,” she noted. At the start of the program, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness, especially upon seeing participants from various countries and disciplines. “This diversity created an incredibly rich learning environment right from the start,” she added.

Learning by Doing

RR2P stands out for its strong emphasis on experiential learning. Participants were not just learning theories in a classroom; they were out in the field, engaging directly with the systems, practices, and people that define rice research and production.

Yvonne, whose work focuses on greenhouse gas emissions in rice fields, appreciated the depth and scope of the technical sessions. She found the hands-on disease and pest diagnostics particularly useful and was inspired by sessions on plant breeding. “Learning about breeding and Rapid Generation Advancement was especially meaningful. I had always admired plant breeders, and until this program, I had no experience in that area. However, by the end of RR2P, I felt empowered and well-versed in breeding practice,” she shared.

For Jongho, the course offered an in-depth look at the science behind the crop he had previously only studied through policy and trade data. The sessions on seed systems, soil management, and pest control were unfamiliar at first, but these sparked a strong interest. “These topics, though technical, were the building blocks of rice production, and I realized how essential they are to understanding the crop in its full complexity,” he said.

Both found that field visits brought technical knowledge to life. The combination of classroom and field-based learning helped them connect scientific insights with the on-the-ground experiences of farmers, a connection that will help continue shaping their work moving forward.

Ground-Level Realities

One of the most defining experiences for both Yvonne and Jongho was the visit to farming communities in Victoria, Laguna, and the Banaue Rice Terraces. For Jongho, a conversation with a local rice farmer in Victoria left an impact. “He had achieved a good harvest, but what he shared with me was far from encouraging,” Jongho recalled. “Despite producing quality rice, he explained that he often had to sell it at extremely low prices. The reason wasn’t poor demand or weather—it was a lack of access to post-harvest facilities like drying and milling. Without those, farmers are forced to sell immediately to middlemen, who take most of the profit.”

Further, that moment changed the way Jongho viewed his own field. “I saw that behind every trend or statistic are real people—whose livelihoods are often affected by infrastructure gaps and limited access to value chains. It was a clear and personal reminder that research must be grounded in the real challenges people face. That single exchange helped reframe the way I see the role of policy and economics—not as abstract forces, but as tools that can either exclude or empower.”

On the other hand, Yvonne described the rice planting activity in the IRRI experimental fields as a powerful turning point. “As we stepped into the muddy paddies, I felt an immediate connection with the farmers who perform this labor daily,” she reflected. Afterwards, she spoke with farmers in Victoria, Laguna and Banaue. “They shared their experiences, challenges, and hopes for better yields. Understanding their daily realities and linking them with the planting experience underscored the need for research that is not only scientifically sound but also adaptable to local contexts. It reminded me that innovation must be driven by farmers’ lived experiences, not abstract theories, if we truly want to achieve sustainable outcomes.”

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

The diversity of the course’s cohort also led to dynamic exchanges of ideas. Yvonne recalled a group discussion where participants debated solutions to food insecurity and climate change. While some advocated for early-maturing rice varieties, others emphasized sustainable farming practices. The exchange, she said, revealed the potential of combining technical and environmental approaches to address complex problems.

Similarly, Jongho worked on a project focused on salinity in Vietnam. While his group members explored breeding salt-tolerant varieties, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that innovations translate into economic benefits for farmers. “Future agricultural solutions will require close collaboration between economists and scientists. Real progress depends on our ability to listen to one another, bridge perspectives, and work toward shared goals,” he said.

Growth Through Challenge

Both participants acknowledged the demanding pace and intensity of RR2P. Jongho initially struggled with the rural environment and unfamiliar routines. Yet over time, these challenges helped him grow. “I became more grounded in how I see my role as a researcher,” he shared.

Yvonne also found the schedule packed, but she faced the challenge with resilience and curiosity. “Whenever I encountered a concept, I couldn’t immediately grasp, I made it a point to delve deeper through additional research,” she said. The supportive community of peers and mentors made the learning process both rigorous and rewarding.

Looking Ahead

As they return to their home institutions, Yvonne and Jongho carry forward not only new knowledge but also a renewed sense of purpose. Yvonne plans to collaborate with researchers and farmers in Kenya to develop context-specific, sustainable practices. Jongho, on the other hand, intends to integrate the lessons from RR2P into his work on agricultural policy and trade, ensuring that his research remains grounded in the real challenges that communities face.

Their stories reflect the spirit of RR2P, a program that brings together aspiring changemakers and empowers them to influence a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for the rice-based agri-food sector.

Through the continued support of partners like the IRRI-Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) project and the Global Rice Research Foundation (GRRF), programs like RR2P remain accessible to the next generation of leaders in rice science. While the 2025 edition may have concluded, its lessons will continue to shape the personal and professional journeys of those who took part.

As Yvonne shared, “RR2P is a journey of discovery, collaboration, and impact, where science meets practice to shape the future of rice research and sustainable farming.”

While Jongho and Yvonne’s reflections offer a glimpse into the impact of the course, they were just two of many. The 2025 RR2P cohort included professionals with backgrounds ranging from agronomy and plant breeding to agricultural economics and development. Coming from institutions such as the University of California Davis, Yunnan Agricultural University, Purdue University, Chuka University, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV) in Portugal, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the group brought together a rich mix of experiences that enabled interactive discussions, cross-cultural exchanges, and shared learning, connections that they are now carrying into their own work.

Interested in joining this journey? Be part of the next RR2P cohort and gain the knowledge, skills, and perspective needed to make meaningful contributions to global rice systems. The program also welcomes support for participants who may need assistance to take part. Visit education.irri.org to learn more or email us at irri-education@cgiar.org.