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.
IRRI Hosts Training Workshop on Self-Sufficiency, Food Security, and Agricultural Transformation
“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
Enhancing Capacities: IRRI Trains Crop Breeders from Asia and Africa
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
Strengthening IRRI’s Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity: IPA and IRRI Jointly Deliver M&E Training Program
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
Cultivating the Next Generation of Rice Scientists: IRRI’s RR2P Training on its 17th Year
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