IRRI, Singapore's NRF forge rice research deal

Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) forged an agreement to commission an $8.2 million research to ensure ample supply of rice for future needs of the region. The five-year program is expected to impact on regional food security and encourage other Asian nations to invest in similar research. “We are delighted to see Singapore stepping up as a regional leader with this investment in international rice research. We need to be thinking beyond national borders to help tackle food supply," IRRI deputy director general for research Dr. Achim Dobermann said Friday. The grant from Singapore will support a joint research program among the National University of Singapore and the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory in collaboration with the Rice Institute. The research will address how rice farming can become better adapted to climate change — a pressing concern among rice farmers in Asia. Another component of the research will focus on developing new rice varieties with built-in protection against diseases, and enable the plant to thrive despite limited inputs such as water. The idea behind this component of the program is to have a stronger sustainable rice production that ensures long-term food security. Rice cultivation involves about 140 million hectares in Asia, with annual production of 600 million tons, according to IRRI data. The commodity is staple food to more than half the world’s population, with developing Asian countries equating food security with access to rice supplies, the institute said. Increasing demand and global environmental changes have placed serious constraints on rice production. Singapore relies entirely on imported rice, exposing the city state to fragile supply and price escalations in international markets. According to the institute, the world needs eight to 10 million tons of rice each year to ensure stable supply and keep prices affordable. Investments in rice research are essential for farmers to get new varieties and smarter ways to grow more on less land to ensure and protect future supplies in Asia, the institute said. The project positions Singapore as an important partner in the Global Rice Science Partnership, a new global strategic plan for rice research, led by IRRI in partnership with some 900 organizations worldwide. — VS, GMA News