capacity development Tag

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

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/.

Women play a pivotal role in agriculture. In the rice sector, more than 500 million women around the world are engaged in rice cultivation. Similar to men, women are engaged in rice production, postharvest, and processing, yet they continuously face gender-specific obstacles that put them at a significant disadvantage due to limited access to resources, learning opportunities, and farming technologies.

Access to education, whether formal or non-formal, is fundamental in empowering women. Education equips women with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence to achieve their life goals. However, inequalities remain in educational access between men and women in different parts of the world. According to recent data, 122 million girls remain out of school globally, mostly due to geographic location and poverty. The World Inequality Database in Education (WIDE) and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics reported 10 countries that showcased the inequalities faced by women and girls in education. In these countries, 7 in 10 of the poorest young women of upper secondary school age are out of school, while in Guinea and Mali, almost all poor young women are not in school.

The exclusion of women and girls from education is influenced by various factors which are particularly intensified in rural areas where agriculture serves as a primary source of livelihood. Investing in women’s education has a broader societal impact. According to UNESCO, making sure that women have access to secondary and tertiary education increases their agency and decision-making and elevates their prospects for decent work, thereby fostering economic growth on a global scale.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) believes that women should have access to formal and non-formal education, especially in the field of rice science. As the institute’s educational and capacity-building arm, IRRI Education is at the forefront of making this happen by providing capacity development programs in various disciplines of rice science and technology. IRRI Education encourages the participation of women in its programs, specifically in its training courses and scholarship opportunities.

As one of the flagship programs of IRRI Education, short-term training courses have been offered since the establishment of the institution. These courses involve immersive engagements that focus on research, innovation, and knowledge and skills improvement. Through lectures with experts, hands-on learning, and on-field experiences, these training programs have empowered women, boosting their confidence and morale with their skills and competencies.

Notable training topics include rice breeding technologies, rice production, and postharvest technology, research data analysis and management, information technology, quality seed production, and pest and disease management. In recent years, a growing need to mainstream gender in rice research and technology has been identified. In response to this, IRRI Education designed and developed a training program that aims to educate participants with the importance of addressing social concerns including the gender dimension in agriculture and rice
research for development and extension. This training helps participants to learn how to integrate gender in rice research planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation as well as in leadership styles, and in the workplace. Additionally, through this training, they will be able to identify opportunities to contribute to the development of gender-responsive projects/programs.

Since 1964, more than 4,000 women have been trained under IRRI Education’s short-term programs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills in various aspects of rice science and research.

IRRI Education also engages women scholars and the youth through degree and non-degree programs. These programs allow qualified individuals to be involved in IRRI’s research platforms, working alongside world-renowned scientists. Since 1962, IRRI has hosted 5,181 scholars of which, 1,772 are women scholars coming from 92 countries around the world. This number is increasing continuously and is expected to soon close the gender gap. For the past five years, a total of 650 participants have completed various programs with IRRI, including students who conducted their research at the institute as well as oOn-the-Jobon-the-job Training (OJT) and internships. Out of the 650 participants, 52% consist of women.

Rice agriculture is continually facing dynamic and complex challenges and women are bearing the brunt of these. Still, the future holds immense opportunities for women and IRRI is dedicated to providing education and capacity building to continuously empower them to thrive in the dynamic field of rice production and science. However, this feat cannot be achieved by IRRI Education alone. There is a great need for collaborative efforts between the national systems, agricultural institutions, and donor organizations to invest in women to drive transformative change and bring about a brighter future for agriculture.

Echoing this thought, Dr. Anilyn Maningas, Head of IRRI Education shared, “Investing in women almost always creates a ripple effect in the sense that they can be very good role models for the family and the community where they are attached to. This could translate to ensuring a next generation that encourages and supports women that could easily extend to the generation to come”.

On 14 March, 26 Grade 1 students from Keys School Manila came to the International Rice Research Insitute’s (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna to participate in the Rice Planting Experience (RPEx) offered by IRRI Education.

Before the hands-on experience, the students were given a short lecture on the basics of rice production by IRRI Education’s facilitation team led by Mr. Aaron Paul Landicho. They were given a brief demonstration on various field activities such as seedbed preparation, pulling of seedlings, seed broadcasting, manual transplanting, and grid marking. Afterwards, the students went into the rice paddies to transplant rice seedlings using their bare hands.

“The Rice Planting Experience program is specifically made for the youth, aiming to immerse them in the practical aspects of rice farming. Through hands-on activities, participants of the program not only gain insights into the significance of rice but also acquire knowledge about diverse rice planting methods,” Aaron quote about the program.

The unique and immersive activity allowed the students to experience the fun and thrill of preparing the land and planting rice using a blend of traditional and modern technologies. By getting their ‘feet wet’ in the fields, participants gain firsthand knowledge and experience of the essential work farmers do to ensure we have rice at our meal tables.

“As the Philippines witnesses a growing population of aging farmers, the need to engage younger generations in agriculture becomes increasingly vital. This is what the RPEx tries to address—help the young ones realize the significant role that farming plays in sustaining life and fostering development in the country,” Aaron quote encouraging participation in RPEx.

The agriculture sector is grappling with multiple challenges that demand the emergence of a new generation of agricultural champions. IRRI Education emphasizes the importance of exposing young minds to agricultural practices as a foundational step towards inspiring their participation and engagement in the field. The RPEx is one of IRRI Education’s initiative to expose young people to the world of agriculture.

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

Following a successful training implementation last year, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) organized another training on the fundamentals of rice-farm management and operations and farm machinery maintenance tailored for technicians, farm workers, and heavy equipment operators from the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB).

The two-day course is designed to equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills required in planning and operating rice farm machinery and equipment, incorporating lesson on the safe practices in operating agricultural machinery for rice production.

On March 13, during the opening program, Dr. Anilyn Maningas, Head of IRRI Education, welcomed the participants, outlining the different activities that they will be undertaking for the duration of the training. Concluding her message, Dr. Maningas urged the participants to actively participate in the discussions, engage with the resource persons, and to share their own knowledge and experiences with each other and with the IRRI team.

Following this, Dr. Adeliza Dorado, Associate Dean for Instruction of UPLB CAFS, also delivered a message stressing the significance of acknowledging the diversity among all involved in the training. She highlighted the inclusion of women participants in this year’s cohort, remarking, “Your participation underscores the invaluable contribution of women to agriculture, reinforcing the need for inclusive growth and equal opportunities in this vital sector”.

Ms. Ma. Lea Villavicencio, University Researcher and the Representative of the IPB Director, also gave a message expressing her gratitude for including staff from IPB into the training program. Echoing the message from Dr. Maningas, Ms. Villavicencio encouraged the participants to actively participate in insightful discussions with the resource persons, fostering a mutual learning environment.

In the course of two days, the participants will be exposed to an intensive program with activities involving lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and field visits, facilitated by IRRI experts in farm management and operations.

For more courses like this visit education.irri.org or email us at education@irri.org

On November 14 and 15, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in partnership with the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), conducted a training workshop aiming to provide an overview of rice abiotic stress trials and the benefits of digital data collection. This program is an initiative under the Climate Smart African Rice Project in Morogoro, Tanzania, aimed at developing varieties tolerant to abiotic stresses such as flooding, salinity, and germination under anaerobic conditions.

The training was held at SUA, Morogoro, Tanzania and was participated by undergraduate and graduate students of the university as well as technicians and field staff from the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI). Throughout the 2-day program, the participants attended lectures on environmental characterization, relative growth rate, taking measurements using the Fieldbook app,  stress screening protocols, and examples from physiology research. Aside from this, they also participated in several demonstrations in screenhouses on the use of rain gauge and soil hand texturing.

One of the highlights of the training was the hands-on activity where participants got to apply what they have learned in the lectures and discussions with the experts. Working in groups, the participants collected data in the screenhouses, formatted the data, calculated the relative growth rate (RGR), compared genotypic means by ANOVA, and visualized data with a bar graph using the R software. Notably, all analysis was done directly from the plant to the computer with no use of paper and pencil for data recording.

Participants also expressed their appreciation for the training. “I thank IRRI Education for this valuable training. The training was useful and has enlightened me with the knowledge and skills on rice characterization and digital data collection and will help my institute collect good quality data in our stress trials,” said Mr. Zakayo Machunde. Another participant Mr. Kalegi Nzingula Hamis noted, “I am thankful for the training because now I have added skills that will increase my working performance in my organization.”

Capping the sharing of testimonials, Mr. Paulo Sulle remarked “I highly recommend continuation of this type of courses to other scientists so to further strengthen the research capacity in the region”.

IRRI Education, the educational arm of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) participated in the 6th International Rice Congress (IRC2023) last 16-19 October 2023, showcasing the innovations in capacity development and knowledge sharing.

The Rice Congress, held every four years, brings together scientists, policymakers, experts, and the private sector to discuss global rice trends and the changes and challenges in the agri-food sector. This year, the congress was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila.

During the four-day event, IRRI Education showcased its offerings through their state-of-the-art booth which offered interactive displays that reveals information about IRRI Education and its flagship services.

Riding on IRRI’s research and innovation, IRRI Education currently operates with five service portfolios – Short & Long Courses, Scholars & Youth Engagement, Online Learning & Product Development, Knowledge Sharing, and Advisory around Capacity Development – all of which underpin the commitment to producing holistic and integrated learning solutions, addressing learning gaps and expectations with sound educational innovations for global south.

Some of the highlights of the interactive display were the featured micromodules, where IRC delegates can simulate taking some of micromodules available in IRRI Education’s Learning Management System (openlearning.cgiar.org); the upcoming courses section, where they can see dates and application links to the courses lined up for the months of October to December of this year; the available scholarship section, where interested students can check out the opportunities available for them; and the videos in every section of the display, where IRRI Education showed the highlights and impacts of its programs.

IRRI alumni were also engaged through the feature dubbed as the IRRI Alumni Map. Previous scholars and trainees had fun pinning their locations in the map and connecting with other alumni from the same area as them. Aside from the interaction with the scholars, the map was designed to show the diversity of the IRRI Education alumni network.

For the duration of the congress, IRRI Education engaged in meaningful conversations with the attendees, ranging from scientists and researchers, leaders and policymakers, members of the private sector to students and local farmers. These conversations are expected to shape and inform the current and future program offerings of IRRI Education to align with the demands of its stakeholders.