Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
org
Precious cargo:
Seeds of Life
for East Timor
Year of life
Looking forward to International Year of Rice 2004
ISSN 1655-5422
contents
Vol. 2, No. 2
Half of the world’s rice harvest
NEWS ............................................................................................................................................. 4 NEW BOOKS......................................................................................................................... 31
Australia pledges $10.7 million to support IRRI adds four new titles to its inventory of publications
is consumed by the farm families world's genebanks on rice research and related topics
Spray reduction campaign expands into EVENTS .................................................................................................................................... 32
Vietnam's Red River Delta
that grew it. Higher crop productivity Conferences, meetings and workshops
World Bank evaluates agricultural research group
RICE FACTS............................................................................................................................ 33
The way forward for rice research in India
The monoculture myth
helps improve their household New IR64 line tolerates acid soil
Saving water in the Philippines GRAIN OF TRUTH............................................................................................................. 34
The truth about jasmine rice
RICE IN THE NEWS .............................................................................................................. 8
food security and livelihood
Top scientific journals publish calls for more
public funding of rice research 4 29 7
March of progress for enhanced nutrition
SPECIAL SECTION: INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF RICE........................... 10
Year of life: Anticipating International Year of
Rice 2004, we revisit International Rice Year 1966
Year of events: Plans for celebrating 10
International Year of Rice
A job begun but not done: How supporting rice
research serves people, communities and the
environment
PRECIOUS CARGO........................................................................................................... 20
The Seeds of Life project in East Timor took root
quickly as collaborators flew in carrying more
than clean shirts and socks
BREEDING FOR NUTRITION.................................................................................... 24
Can new scientific advances help farmers grow
food that is inherently more nutritious?
DONORS CORNER ........................................................................................................... 27
The United States Agency for International
14
Development employs multiple strategies
to assure impact
PEOPLE..................................................................................................................................... 29
Remembering Derek Tribe, tireless advocate of
20 24
international agricultural research
Economist elected IRRI board chair
IRRI agronomist made member, Order of Australia
Life
Cover photo Ariel Javellana
DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
Web (IRRI): www.irri.org; Web (Library): http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org;
Editor Peter Fredenburg
Web (Riceweb): www.riceweb.org; Web (Rice Knowledge Bank):
Art director Juan Lazaro IV
www.knowledgebank.irri.org
Contributing editors Duncan Macintosh, Gene Hettel, Bill Hardy
Designer and production supervisor George Reyes Rice Today editorial
Photo editor Ariel Javellana telephone (63-2) 580-5600 or (63-2) 844-3351 to 53, ext 2401;
Printer Primex Printers, Inc. fax: (63-2) 580-5699 or (63-2) 845-0606; email: p.fredenburg@cgiar.org
Rice Today is published by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the world’s sponsors projects that bring the results of agricultural research to rural communities,
leading international rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines and with farmers and families in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
offices in 11 other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on Responsibility for this publication rests with IRRI. Designations used in this publication
improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, should not be construed as expressing IRRI policy or opinion on the legal status of any
particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of 16 country, territory, city or area, or its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or
Future Harvest centers funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural boundaries.
Research (CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies. Rice Today welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. Potential contributors
For more information, visit the Web sites of the CGIAR (www.cgiar.org) or Future are encouraged to query first, rather than submit unsolicited materials. Rice Today
Harvest Foundation (www.futureharvest.org). Future Harvest Foundation is a nonprofit assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited submissions, which should
I N T E R N AT I O N A L Y E A R O F R I C E 2 0 0 4 organization that builds awareness and supports food and environmental research for a
world with less poverty, a healthier human family, well-nourished children and a better
be accompanied by sufficient return postage.
environment. Future Harvest Foundation supports research, promotes partnerships and Copyright International Rice Research Institute 2003
NEWS
Spray reduction campaign expands into Vietnam's Red River Delta McNamara Seminar in Japan Australia pledges $10.7 million to support world’s genebanks the proud position of being a major player
in the international effort to conserve the
Escalada, a communications professor at
the Philippines’ Leyte State University, now
seconded to IRRI; and Nguyen Huu Huan,
T he Consulta-
tive Group
on International
world’s crop diversity.”
Some 1,470 genebanks the world over
house seed samples of crops and their wild
the vice director general of Vietnam’s Plant Agricultural Re- relatives.
Protection Department. Last year, the team search (CGIAR) “Many of these collections are seriously
won the $25,000 Saint Andrews Prize for and the Tokyo of- underfunded, jeopardizing the ongoing se-
Environment and pledged to use the money fice of the World curity of agriculture and the world’s ability
to extend the pesticide-reduction effort to Bank held the to feed itself,” said Mr. Fischer. “These gene-
the Red River Delta. second annual banks have proved invaluable in restoring
Launched in 1994, the research and Robert S. McNa- agricultural production in war-torn coun-
subsequent campaign clearly identified mara Seminar in tries such as Cambodia, Afghanistan and
the damage caused by insecticide overuse, Tokyo on 2 July. East Timor by providing seeds originating
which kills predator insects and so encour- This year’s in those countries to farmers for planting.
ages the pests that they would otherwise seminar, which It is almost certain that genebanks holding
WORLD BANK
help control, and developed new ways of attracted more samples of Iraqi materials will be called
ARIEL JAVELLANA
communicating this information to farm- than 300 people, upon to restore them to Iraq.”
PHU THANH STUDIO HCMC
ers. After persuading almost 2 million rice addressed the “The conservation of crop diversity is a
DR. OTSUKA in Tokyo.
growers in the Mekong Delta to cut back on theme “The role little-known necessity for meeting the most
insecticides, the partners launched in 2001 a of agriculture and agricultural research fundamental need of humankind — the need
PARC
plant breeder Darshan Brar. “Besides matur- hope will help rice farmers deal with this
ing 5–10 days earlier than IR64, it is suitable new challenge,” said IRRI Director General
for moderately acid sulfate soils.” AS996 is Ronald Cantrell. He went on to explain that PLANNING IN PAKISTAN: Ren Wang, deputy director general for research (first row, fourth from right), led a
TRAINING CENTER
popular with farmers and currently occupies IRRI’s host country is especially well placed delegation of IRRI scientists to Islamabad for the IRRI-Pakistan Work Plan Meeting in March. IRRI and the
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) agreed to develop joint project proposals for competitive
100,000 ha in Vietnam. Recognizing the to exploit the latest water-saving technolo-
grants on rice research and to seek funding for a large national program of broadened partnerships. Also
popularity of AS996 in less favorable areas, gies because some improved upland vari- agreed was a proposal to establish a country node of the Rice Knowledge Bank at the Directorate of Scien-
OPTIONS FOR DELIVERY: 38 participants from seven Asian countries received certificates in March for
the Vietnam Union of Science and Technol- eties developed by IRRI, the University of tific Information of the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) in Islamabad. Attending the meeting
completing the course “Developing integrated nutrient management options for delivery.” Roland Buresh, ogy Association recently awarded CLRRI the the Philippines Los Baños and PhilRice are with Dr. Wang were PARC Chairman Badaruddin Soomro; NARC Director General N.I. Hashmi; M. Ashraf of
IRRI soil scientist and course resource person (second row, sixth from right), said course activities included Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological well adapted to aerobic production. These the Crop Sciences Division of PARC; M. Salim, PARC’s national coordinator for rice; directors of key PARC
lectures, field visits, discussions and action-plan preparation. Creations (VIFOTEC) prize. include Apo and UPLR1-5. institutes; and IRRI scientists John Bennett, Abdelbagi Ismail and Parminder Virk.
PAM CANTRELL
concluded that “the CGIAR has been a unique independently of [the system’s] medium- genetically modi- and Mangala Rai, director general of the ing Indian rice
instrument of international cooperation. Its and longer-term priority setting.” fied organisms. Indian Council of Agricultural Research farmers, such as
productivity-enhancing research has had siz- The OED concluded: “The governance Dr. Cantrell was in (ICAR) and secretary of the Department of drought.
Korea in June with IRRI pathologist Hei Leung to
able impacts on reducing poverty by increasing of the CGIAR should be reconfigured to Agricultural Research and Education, Dr. “Drought
sign a 3-year funding memorandum of agreement
employment, raising incomes, lowering food promote greater efficiency, tougher prior- with the Rural Development Administration
Cantrell discussed the relevance of scientific and improved
prices and releasing land from cropping.” ity setting, and scientific excellence without (RDA). Receiving Dr. Cantrell were Young-Wook developments in rice genomics, the science stress tolerance
While observing that “further improve- sacrificing legitimacy and ownership. The Kim, RDA administrator; Hyun-Pal Moon, deputy of isolating gene function. are the highest
ments in sustainable agricultural produc- strategic priorities of the CGIAR should re- administrator; Seok-Dong Kim, director general “India has a world-class rice research priorities of the
tivity are critical to meet the international spond more actively to changes in the global for research and development; and Dae-Geun sector very professionally led by ICAR,” rice researchers
community’s millennium development goal research context, giving more prominence Oh, International Technical Cooperation Center Dr. Cantrell said. “If you combine this in functional
of halving poverty by 2015,” the report noted to basic plant breeding and germplasm director. At the RDA’s National Crop Experiment expertise with the latest tools becoming genomics,” Dr.
JK LADHA
that “overall CGIAR funding has stagnated improvement, and reshaping natural re- Station, H.G. Hwang, Rice Genetics and Breeding available via functional genomics, then Cantrell ex-
in nominal terms, declined in real terms, source management research in the areas Division director, discussed strengthening pest the Indian rice sector can look forward to plained. “ICAR,
and disease resistance in premium japonica rice
and become increasingly restricted over the of the CGIAR’s comparative advantage to some very exciting developments over the especially under AN INDIAN FARMER presents a token of friendship to IRRI’s director general.
varieties. Drs. Cantrell and Leung also visited the
past decade.” focus tightly on productivity enhancement National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology
next few years.” the new leader-
The OED recognized that the changing and sustainable use of natural resources for of the RDA, where Director General Ho-Il Kim Building on last year’s historic sequenc- ship of Dr. Rai, is focused on the challenges.” on Rice Functional Genomics that will
nature of funding has driven a “transforma- the benefit of developing countries.” described the institute’s participation in the ing of the rice genome, the Indian rice re- Dr. Cantrell reported that activities un- coordinate research in India and develop a
tion of the CGIAR’s authorizing environ- The evaluation is available online at International Rice Genome Sequencing Project. search community has moved quickly to der way in collaboration with IRRI include database of donor rice varieties highlighting
ment from being science-driven to being www.worldbank.org/oed/cgiar. further develop collaborative partnerships the setting up of a National Consortium traits of agronomic importance.
Two top scientific journals publish calls March of progress for enhanced nutrition
for more public funding of rice research
L
ast March saw of eight other authors. “It could have significant benefits for the 3.5
the publication billion people in the world who have iron-deficient diets.”
T
of at least two Several of the same authors, including the two Drs. Datta,
he leading scientific journals Nature cies, “perhaps eager to find shortcuts to for the coming decades is to find ways to reach papers in scientific produced a paper that appeared in the March 2003 issue of Plant
and Science both published calls in development, have tended to shift funding these farmers with improved technologies,” journals detailing ma- Biotechnology Journal (Vol. 1, No. 2, pages 81–90). The paper,
early May urging renewed financial away from agricultural research and toward they write. “For many, future green revolu- jor progress in re- entitled Bioengineered ‘golden’ indica rice cultivars with beta-
support for IRRI. other priorities.” tions hold out the best, and perhaps the only, search to improve the carotene metabolism in the endosperm with hygromycin and
“Despite rumors to the contrary, the role The articles in both journals recount hope for an escape from poverty. micronutrient content mannose selection systems, officially announces IRRI’s develop-
of the International Rice Research Institute is the successes of publicly funded agricultural “Yet the prospects for continued green of rice through bio- ment of indica varieties rich in provitamin A-rich Golden Rice
as important as ever,” begins an editorial in research, especially the high-yielding modern revolutions are mixed,” they continue. “On fortification. Bioforti- adapted for the tropics.
the 1 May issue of Nature (Vol. 423) entitled crop varieties at the heart of the Green Revo- the one hand, the research pipeline for the fication, the focus of Swapan Datta reports that IRRI scientists have in fact bioen-
Rice Institute Needs Strong Support. How- lution. Drs. Evenson and Gollin point out that plant sciences is full. Basic science has gener- a challenge program gineered several Asian indica varieties with genes for beta-carotene
ever, it adds, “In the three years from 2001 to the contributions made by modern varieties ated enormous advances in our understand- recently launched by biosynthesis. Selected
2003, IRRI’s annual core funding dropped by (MVs) have increased over time. ing of plant growth and morphology, stress the Consultative Group lines — including
26%, and similar “Gains from MVs were larger in the tolerance, pathogen resistance, and many on International Agri- genotypes of IR64
cuts are expected 1980s and 1990s than in the preceding two other fields of science. This understanding cultural Research (see (the most popular va-
in the future.” decades — despite popular perceptions that should lead in due course to improvements page 24), combines riety in Asia), BR29 (a
“It is es- the Green Revolution was effectively over by in agricultural technologies. But, on the other molecular techniques popular Bangladeshi
sential that sup- this time,” they write. “Overall, the produc- hand, IARCs and NARS [national agricultural and conventional variety), and Mot
port for IRRI tivity data suggest that the Green Revolution research systems] are faced with numerous plant breeding to cre- Bui and Nang Hong
be mobilized,” is best understood not as a one-time jump challenges to their survival” in terms of cur- ate crops with heightened micronutrient content that can help Cho Dao (popular
states the Nature in production, occurring in the late 1960s, tailed funding. alleviate nutritional disorders. Vietnamese varieties)
editorial. “Re- but rather as a long-term increase in the Nature picks up the thread regarding The world’s most prevalent nutritional disorder is anemia. — show expression
searchers there, trend growth rate of productivity. This was how the recent sequencing of the rice genome, This debilitating condition is caused by a lack of iron in the diet of beta-carotene, the
where research because successive generations of MVs were detailing the genetic heritage that guides the — in which, for more than two-thirds of humanity, rice is the single precursor of vitamin
that spurred the developed, each contributing gains over pre- plant’s development, affords new opportuni- largest source of calories. Although brown rice is generally high in A, in otherwise nor-
Green Revolu- vious generations. […] The end result … is ties to rice scientists working to crack such iron, the polishing removes the outer layers of the grain and causes mal plants. He adds
tion was carried out, sometimes hear their that virtually all consumers in the world have daunting challenges as drought tolerance. considerable loss of iron and other micronutrients. that they did so us-
success in producing abundant, high-yielding benefited from lower food prices.” “Researchers hope to tap the secrets The journal Plant Science published in its March 2003 issue ing a non-antibiotic
rice as a justification for cutting their budget, Had there been no Green Revolu- of the rice genome to meet these challenges (Vol. 164, No. 3, pages 371–378) a paper entitled Enhanced iron marker gene.
as if to say ‘your job is over.’ But the institute’s tion, the authors add, “prices would have — a good bet, and zinc accumulation in transgenic rice with the ferritin gene. “This is signifi-
job is not over — it has just begun.” remained constant or risen modestly.” As considering the In it, IRRI researchers and their collaborators in Japan report that cant if further prog-
In the same a result, “caloric intake per capita in the de- unexplored bio- they have introduced an iron-enhancing ferritin gene to indica ress is to be made in
week, the 2 May veloping world would have been 13.3 to 14.4 diversity in the rice in such a way that it expresses itself in the rice endosperm. developing nutritious rice, including bioengineered high-iron rice,”
issue of Science percent lower, and the proportion of children rice germ stocks,” Thus, after polishing, the rice grains contain 3 times more iron says Dr. Datta, citing negative perceptions on the use of antibiotic
(Vol. 300) ran malnourished would have been from 6.1 to the editorialist than usual. resistance genes in transgenic plants. Public acceptance will likely be
a broader look 7.9 percent higher. Put in perspective, this writes, recapitu- “This is the most significant increase in iron ever achieved in an more forthcoming, he says, for foods made from transgenic plants
at the Green suggests that the Green Revolution succeeded lating a 3-page indica rice variety,” said IRRI plant biotechnologist Swapan Datta, developed with non-antibiotic marker genes.
Revolution and in raising the health status of 32 to 42 million news feature in rice crop leader of the Challenge Program on Biofortification, the A program of safety and bioavailability tests means that indica
the role played preschool children. Infant and child mortal- the week-earlier, paper’s corresponding author and husband of Karabi Datta, one Golden Rice is still some 4–6 years away from release to farmers.
by IRRI and the ity would have been considerably higher in 24 April, issue
other 15 inter- developing countries as well.” of Nature (Vol.
national agricul-
tural research
The Nature editorialist concedes that
“there is now more than enough rice to go
422). “But there
are significant obstacles to bringing genomic Also… • IRRI was featured in a 2-part series entitled ASIA: Poverty
and Rice on Radio Australia Asia Pacific Program. Interviewer
A
centers (IARCs) around” following a 2.5-fold improvement science to bear on farmers’ practices. IRRI, study reported in Science (Vol. 299) shows that a surprisingly high Kanaha Sabapathy presented the program, which is available online at
in the Consultative Group on International in rice yield per hectare since the 1960s. But whose rice lines have been bred into over a percentage of the improvement in U.S. crop yields over the last 2 www.abc.net.au/ra/asiapac/programs/s895266.htm.
Agricultural Research. In summarizing the the writer goes on to report that the “eastern third of the new lines produced worldwide decades was due to climate change, not to farm management. The • A profile of the IRRI Library and Documentation Service ap-
findings of their book Assessing the Impact regions of India, suffering floods and soil since the 1960s, is well positioned to take up finding suggests that food production in the U.S. — and perhaps else- peared in the December 2002 issue of Asia Library News (delayed until
of the Green Revolution, 1960 to 2000, R.E. alkalinity, struggle to meet their own needs that challenge.” where — may be more vulnerable to shifts in climate than was previously May 2003), the official journal of the Bangkok-based Asia Library &
suspected. The article quotes Ken Cassman, an agronomist formerly at Information Virtual Association.
Evenson and D. Gollin write that “the IARCs despite the abundance of rice produced in the In the news feature, entitled A Recipe for
IRRI and now at the University of Nebraska, observing that “yield trends • The government of Myanmar announced in April that it would
will have an important role to play in gen- well-irrigated Punjab region. Telling people Revolution?, David Cyranoski, the journal’s
in the U.S. have global implications” for food security. soon stop buying paddy directly from farmers. The liberalized policy,
erating and sustaining future advances in to redistribute rice won’t help much. Local Asian-Pacific correspondent, reports that a • The New York Times published on 20 July an 1,800-word editorial part of a shift toward a market-oriented economy, frees farmers to sell
agricultural technology for the developing growers need to be able to look after them- central obstacle to progress in “the tricky task by Andrés Martinez entitled Harvesting Poverty: The Rigged Trade their whole crop to the highest bidder and opens the way for Myanmar
world.” selves — for them, research into productivity of turning our new knowledge of the rice ge- Game that is a searing indictment of Western agricultural subsidies to resume exports of rice.
The Science authors add, “The budgets continues to play an essential role.” nome into agricultural and economic gains” and trade barriers. • The project director of the Directorate of Rice Research in Hyder-
of many IARCs, not to mention many of Drs. Evenson and Gollin agree with the is that “genome researchers and breeders • The University of Queensland received a grant worth A$1 mil- abad, India, in May reportedly called upon rice researchers to refrain
their national program counterparts, have Nature editorial about the need to extend the are speaking different languages.” He adds, lion (US$600,000) to carry out research aimed at developing varieties from transgenic research on basmati rice. In a press release, B. Mishra
declined sharply in real terms over the past benefits of the Green Revolution to those who “IRRI … hopes to play a key role in bridging of drought-tolerant rice for rainfed areas of Cambodia, Laos and expressed fear that tinkering with the high-value grain would jeopardize
decade.” This has come about, the authors have been left behind because they inhabit the gap between genome researchers and Thailand, Agence France Presse reported in late April. national interests.
surmise, in part because development agen- fragile agroecological zones. “The challenge plant breeders.”
Year of life
Anticipating "Rice is life" International
Year of Rice 2004, we revisit the
first year ever dedicated to a crop:
International Rice Year 1966
AGS_0077
T
he mid-Sixties put Asia through changes. Late 1965 ruining harvests and rocketing international rice prices and choreographed strife would convulse the world’s most sufficient food to feed the region’s rapidly rising
brought the onset of seemingly endless upheaval in to 10-year highs. In January 1966, as New Delhi installed populous country — and largest producer and consumer of populations. Asia, once a net exporter of food, the site of
Indonesia during which President Suharto unseated Indira Gandhi as prime minister, the U.S. “Central rice — for a decade. Meanwhile, the war in Vietnam, with some of the world’s lushest rice bowls and wheat lands,
President Sukarno — a memorable backdrop to the Intelligence Agency forecast ‘widespread starvation’ in 8 years to go, escalated as U.S. planes started bombing home of some of the world’s most skilled and industrious
Mel Gibson movie The Year of Living Dangerously. In India,” reports Nick Cullather of Indiana University's Hanoi and Haiphong. farmers, is a food-deficit region, literally dependent on the
the Philippines, the 2-day-old presidency of Ferdinand Department of History. “The pope appealed to the world In this sea of political turmoil, the big Asian news West to stay alive.”
Marcos bounced into New Year's Day 1966 on the knee of for help as students rioted in Bengal and Communist story of 1966 was hunger. The year, reported the Far Noting that the U.S. shipped nearly a quarter of its
its campaign slogan, “Progress is a grain of rice.” unions paralyzed Calcutta with a general strike.” Eastern Economic Review 1967 Year Book, “brought wheat crop to India in 1966, the Review lamented “the
In the South Pacific, El Niño stirred from half a In China, Chairman Mao launched his Great into sudden and sharp focus the fact that the largely seriousness and permanence of these food deficits” and
century of slumber. Monsoon rains failed across Asia, Proletarian Cultural Revolution, whose mélange of chaotic agricultural economies of Asia are failing to produce declared, “The food surpluses produced by the West’s
AGS_0070
IRRI’s official launch of IR8 on 28 November marked commodity been [designated] as the ‘crop of the year.’ Charles, Louisiana; a conference on Mechanization and
1966 as the start in Asia of the Green Revolution, a term However, as the proposal was more fully discussed; as the World’s Rice, organized by Massey-Ferguson Ltd. at its
AGS_0104
periodical Indian Farming. The issue’s 156 pages made it counting IRRI’s tender years from its
3 times normal size but left the editor promising that “a operational gearing up in 1962 rather
few articles” that hadn’t made the cut “owing to pressure than its founding 2 years earlier.
on space” would be published in later issues. “His contributions, therefore, lie
“We in India are determined to bring about a not only in the practical application
AGS_0312
technological revolution in our paddy fields,” wrote Prime of science for human welfare but
Minister Gandhi in a message at the front of the issue. “We in the evolution of a pattern of
are glad that in this endeavor we have the cooperation of research administration conducive to
the international community.” B.R. Sen, director-general science becoming an instrument of social progress in the He felt that IRRI was accepted. For us, the symposium was
of FAO, noted ominously that the 8 million ton (20%) AGS_0121 developing nations.” the highlight of International Rice Year.”
slump in India’s 1966 rice harvest was 1 million tons Dr. Chandler must have relished this particular The IRC published 18 technical papers from the
greater than the world’s total commercial rice surplus. (On accolade in the wake of a seminal event at the far end of symposium in a special issue of its Newsletter at the
8 November, the cabinet of Thailand, a key commercial Asia; the IRC’s Symposium on Problems in Development beginning of 1967. At 173 pages, the publication was more
supplier, would ban rice exports until prices stabilized.) and Ripening of Rice Grain, presented at the 11th Pacific than four times its usual size.
M.S. Swaminathan, director of the Indian Agricultural Science Congress, was sponsored by Japan’s Ministry Size matters nowhere more than in the great American
Research Institute, convener of the National Committee of Agriculture and Forestry and took place at Tokyo state of Texas, and the Texan who cast the longest shadow
for International Rice Year, and chair of the National University on 22 August–3 September. over the Sixties soon choppered into Los Baños. At high
Committee for the Coordination of Nationwide noon on 26 October 1966, the day after conducting a
Agricultural Demonstrations, reported that the 1,000 Acid test conference in Manila with America’s allies in Vietnam,
national demonstrations of rice planned for 1966 “This was the acid test for IRRI,” recalls Bienvenido O. U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson alit at IRRI with
AGD_0013
AGS_0075
represented a 7-fold increase over 1965 and had a yield Juliano, then an associate chemist at the institute, who his wife, Lady Bird, and the Philippine first couple.
target of 5–7 tons per ha. (Dr. Swaminathan would receive both presented a paper and presided at the symposium. “Striding onto the experimental rice field beside
the first World Food Prize in 1987 while serving as IRRI “There had been a lot of criticism, especially in Japan, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, Johnson crouched and
director general, 1982–88.) about the choice of IRRI staff because many of us were sampled the soil with his fingers,” writes Dr. Cullather.
Representing IRRI in Indian Farming were a paper young and not specialists in rice — me included. The “‘Drawing on your experiments, your new rice strains, the
by Mano D. Pathak on new methods of pest control and symposium was the first formal introduction of IRRI technical training you are giving,’ he told IRRI’s staff and
another by founding Director General Robert F. Chandler, senior staff presenting their work in Japan. Dr. Chandler a global television audience, ‘we can escalate the war on
Jr., introducing high-yielding IR8-288-3. Dr. Chandler was very happy at how warmly our papers were received. hunger. That is the only war in which we seek escalation.’”
AGS_0044
KENICHI TAKAOKA
contribution to International Rice Year, presented at
the conference Mechanization and the World’s Rice. 15
After giving Dr. and Mrs. Chandler an inscribed
cigarette box and a “splendid likeness” of himself, the
president skipped lunch, cancelled an afternoon excursion
to Corregidor Island and flew to Vietnam, where, before
the day was out, he would drop in on U.S. troops at Cam
Ranh Bay.
“Naturally we were pleased and honored to have the
presidential party here, even though his sudden decision
to visit South Vietnam made it impossible to have lunch
here,” Dr. Chandler wrote on 3 November to J. George
Harrar, president of the Rockefeller Foundation and
former IRRI Board of Trustees chair. “At the time of the
visit, we were unaware of why he had to ‘move along’
to the next stop. Within a few hours we learned over
the radio that the president had gone to Vietnam. On
Thursday, the 27th, I talked with both President and Mrs.
Johnson by telephone. I thought it was most gracious of
them to call and extend their apologies for ‘walking out’ on
the luncheon.”
President Marcos had visited IRRI before — on 3
June, 5 months into his term — to see for himself the
institute’s experimental semidwarf “miracle rice,” as
the press would soon dub IR8-288-3. He came on short
notice, finding Associate Director A. Colin McClung the
acting director general in Dr. Chandler’s absence.
“Colin phoned and told me to put my results on an
easel and a live plant of IR8-288-3 in a pot,” recalls former
IRRI agronomist Surajit K. De Datta, now at Virginia Tech.
“For comparison, we planted the traditional variety Peta
in a second pot and tied it up with a string so it wouldn’t
lodge. I introduced IR8-288-3 to President Marcos, and
Mano Pathak put together another display on improved
pesticide placement. On 11 June, Dr. Chandler was
summoned to Malacañang Palace, where he ceremonially
presented a couple of kilos of IR8-288-3 seed to the
president.”
Project Spread
Word went out that any Filipino farmer who visited IRRI
could pick up, free of charge, his own 2-kg bag of seed,
attracting 2,359 farmers from 48 of the country’s 56
provinces before year’s end. A special seed-multiplication
program provided much more seed for dissemination
through the Philippine government’s USAID-funded
Project Spread.
“As the August harvest came in, the Philippines was
gripped by a modern tulipomania,” reports Dr. Cullather.
“IR8 was sold in the lobbies of banks and fashionable
department stores, and harvested grain was too costly to
eat. […] Marcos set up a coordinating council … to direct
the supply of seed, chemicals, loans and machinery,
AGS_0437
enabling the government to control prices and supply at
r i c e i s l i f e r i c e i s l i f e r i c e i s l i f e r i c e i s l i f e r i c e i s l i f e r i c e i s l i f e r i c e i s l i f e r i c e i s l i f e
AGS_0438 Rice Week for 9–14 May, and National Farmers’ Day for program for Thai rice farmers. Individual Meetings: FAO organizing committee meets with informal
12 May, to coincide with the annual Plowing Ceremony farmers received, at cost and on credit, a AGS_0419
international working group in Rome in November 2003 (and again
every step of cultivation.” Running Project Spread in the presided over by the king and queen on a field near the total of $750,000 worth of fertilizer. Farmer in 2005 to discuss achievements and follow-up plan); Turin Conference
on Rice in Italy in April; celebration during Regional Rice Research
rice bowl province of Tarlac, where he had been governor Grand Palace in Bangkok. At the ceremony, the four groups, associations and land cooperatives shared $500,000 worth of pumps Review meeting in sub-Saharan Africa in Bamako, Mali, on 6–8 April;
in the first half of the decade, was President Marcos’ regional winners of rice quality and yield contests received and tractors offered at half price on a 3-year payment plan. Farmer groups Wild Rice Symposium in Osaka on 8 August; international conference
political archrival, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. certificates and prizes from the royal couple. There were received $250,000 for purchasing sprayers, insecticides and fungicides. on Integrated Crop Management Design and Delivery in Indonesia
in September; Annual General Meeting of Consultative Group on
IRRI’s contribution to International Rice Year also three winners of the essay contest on the topic “The A newly organized Agricultural Credit Bank opened its doors, and the International Agricultural Research in last week of October; 25th
included a 26-minute color film called Harvest of Energy. economic importance of rice to Thailand.” A rice exhibit government set price supports for paddy. International Rice Research Conference with Japan International
Depicting “the potential of the rice plant as an efficient — jointly sponsored by the Ministries of Agriculture, Today, Web searches for International Rice Year 1966 turn up little more Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Symposium in Tokyo in
November, to include presentation of 2004 Senadhira Award for Rice
converter of solar energy into calories for man,” the National Development and Economic Affairs; the Office than commemorative postage stamps from Ceylon (issued on 25 October), Scientists in Asia; adoption of a special rice agenda at ASEAN Plus 3
film (now lost) premiered before the IRC in New Delhi of the Prime Minister; the Rice Miller Association; farmer Japan (21 November) and Thailand (scheduled for 1 November) — a less- (China, Japan, South Korea) Summit in Laos in November; IRRI-hosted
on 5 October 1966 and played at FAO headquarters in groups and various commercial firms — occupied the site than-impressive marketing legacy. Yet 1966 truly was International Rice Year. rice breeding conference in second half of 2004; workshop on disease
control through interplanting in Chengdu, China, organized by Sichuan
Rome the following 24 July. The U.S. rice industry and from the day before the Plowing Ceremony until the end of Year-tagged conferences and events played a role, now largely forgotten, in Provincial Department of Agriculture and Yunnan Agricultural University
Department of Agriculture jointly made a 15-minute the month. making it so. The release of IR8 as the first modern rice variety, and other with IRRI as resource institute; policy-oriented workshop in Dhaka
promotional short entitled The Story of American Rice, achievements in the salad days of publicly funded international rice research, organized by Seed Health Improvement project under PETRRA; Asian
Science Congress in Brisbane, Australia; side events at FAO Council
and films about rice were said to be in production in Research competition left indelible marks. Serendipity such as President Johnson’s visit, apparently in Rome on 27 November 2003, joint session of Inter-Governmental
Ceylon, France, Italy, Korea, Portugal and Thailand. The Thai government offered US$1,000 in prize money passing without a mention of the year tag, usefully drew public attention to Group on Grains and Inter-Governmental Group on Rice in Rome on
“Details of some 30 national plans have been reported for an International Rice Research Competition, jointly IRRI’s work. 12 February, African Regional Conference in Johannesburg on 1–5
March, Near East Regional Conference in Doha on 13–17 March, Latin
to FAO,” Dr. Fischnich told the IRC delegates. “They judged by FAO and IRRI (whose staff were excluded). In the end, though, it was drought that wrote rice into the headlines of America and the Caribbean Regional Conference in Guatemala City
show an abundance of enthusiasm, energy and ideas and The competition attracted 31 entries from 13 countries. 1966. A year of living dangerously, teetering at the brink of mass famine, on 26–30 April, European Regional Conference in Montpellier on 5–7
generally direct particular attention to the importance of Someone apparently ponied up another $200 because galvanized policymakers and “foundation grantslingers” (Dr. Cullather’s May, Asia and Pacific Regional Conference in Beijing on 17–21 May;
preparation of 21st session of the International Rice Commission in
strengthening the link between research scientists and three entries each earned their authors $400. Y.L. Nene, phrase) to take the bold steps that launched the Green Revolution. Whatever the context of International Year of Rice in Peru in April 2005.
practicing paddy farmers.” associate professor of plant pathology in the Agricultural branded 1966 as International Rice Year, its legacies today are lasting
University of Pantnagar, Nainital, India, studied improvements in rice farmers’ productivity and poor rice consumers’ diets. It Publications: IRRI to double frequency of Rice Today with special
editions in January, April, July and October; FAO to publish International
khaira disease; S. Patnaik, A.K. Bandyopadhya will be interesting to see how International Year of Rice 2004 measures up. Year of Rice Newsletter in March, June, September and December;
launch of integrated crop management training manual in June;
National Institute of
Genetics, Japan, to
publish Rice Genetics
Newsletter, Vol. 20;
IRRI scientists Gurdev
Khush and Parminder
RICE OF PRESIDENTS. Newly President Lyndon Virk to publish book
elected Philippine Presi- Johnson. They viewed on IRRI varieties;
launch of IRRI book
dent Ferdinand Marcos vis- IR8 with (left photo,
on rice science
ited IRRI in June 1966 to from left) Varietal Im- and extension in
see for himself the results provement Department Greater Mekong
of research conducted by Head Peter Jennings, subregion; The Art
the half-decade-old insti- Henry Beachell (Dr. of Rice: Spirit and
tute. S.K. De Datta (center Jennings’ successor Sustenance in Asia published by Fowler Museum in California in early
photo) explained fertilizer in 1967) and Director November; coffee-table book on rice by Lonely Planet Publications in
responsiveness in IR8, and General Robert Chandler Australia; special issue of International Rice Research Notes.
Mano Pathak (right photo) in a field of the Long-
Web: Reciprocal links to tie FAO International Year of Rice Web
demonstrated improved Term Continuous Crop-
site (www.rice2004.org) to IRRI Home, Riceweb, Graindell and other
pesticide placement. ping Experiment, then IRRI sites; Riceworld site to refocus on Riceworld Learning Center and
President Marcos returned under its 12th crop, new Riceworld shop; Rice Library site to highlight world’s largest rice
in October with U.S. now under its 119th. library and Rice Literature Update and Rice Bibliography databases
as essential research tools.
URBITO ONGLEO
URBITO ONGLEO
URBITO ONGLEO
19
I
Precious cargo
t was probably the most excess
baggage I’d ever carried in
my life. In November 2000, I
represented IRRI at the first
planning and site-selection meeting
for the Seeds of Life project in Dili,
the capital of newly independent East
Timor. I and the representatives of
four other centers in the Consultative
by Edwin Javier
Group on International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR) were so eager to
start our work that we hand-carried
the planting materials with which we
would begin helping East Timorese
farmers reestablish their vital agri-
cultural sector. My excess baggage
from Manila to Dili included 135 kg of
seed for field trials of 48 rice varieties. improved rice varieties in East Timor.
Three years later, East Timor is Of course, IRRI was more than happy
still the youngest independent state to participate in the project. Four
in the world. Besides the eastern half other CGIAR centers also agreed to
of the island of Timor, the country work under Dr. Piggin’s leadership
includes an enclave called Ocussi- and in collaboration with the Ministry
Ambeno on the north coast of the of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Indonesian province of West Timor (MAFF) of the government of the
and two small islands, Autaro and The Seeds of Life project for reviving agriculture in Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste,
Jaco. The mostly Roman Catholic war-torn East Timor took root quickly as collaborators to use the country’s official name. Our
nation has a population of about flew in for their first meeting carrying much more in project was thus unique in bringing
800,000, more than 90% of whom their luggage than clean shirts and socks together the expertise of five CGIAR
depend on subsistence agriculture. centers from three continents.
After more than 450 years as Philippine-based IRRI would
a Portuguese colony, East Timor REPLANTING IN PEACE, farmers transplant into a large rice be responsible for rice, the Mexico-
declared independence in November paddy (main photo) seedlings grown from seed carried in based International Maize and
1975, only to be invaded 9 days later by hand (inset). Author Edwin Javier (bottom left photo) Wheat Improvement Center (Spanish
takes notes in a ripening field of rice and more notes (top
by Indonesian forces. In August 1999, right photo, right) as Claudino Nabais, a researcher in the
acronym CIMMYT) for maize, the
after nearly a quarter century of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, consults Peru-based International Potato
unrest, the East Timorese opted for with a farmer. Farmers in East Timor (small photos, left to Center (Spanish acronym CIP) for
independence in a United Nations- right) preparing a rice paddy, displaying peanuts, harvest- sweet potato and Irish potato, the
supervised popular referendum. The ing maize and hefting sweet potatoes. Colombia-based International Center
immediate result, however, was to for Tropical Agriculture (Spanish
inflame civil strife between those acronym CIAT) for cassava and beans,
who favored independence and pro-integrationist militias. Many food crops were insufficient, and — had by the 1980s left that Southeast traditional varieties lost during the and the India-based International
people died or became refugees, the seed stocks available were badly Asian country in ruins. Like the East upheavals, the partners reintroduced Center for Research in the Semi-
infrastructure was ruined, and commingled and lacked vigor. Many Timorese today, Cambodians needed and redistributed seed multiplied Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for peanuts.
agricultural and market activities of the planting materials that aid to rebuild their agricultural sector from samples held in trust in the With coordination and funding
suffered disruption. The UN organizations had brought in during from scratch. Fortunately, expert and Genetic Resources Center at IRRI. The from ACIAR, the project would
Transitional Administration for the crisis years of 1999 and 2000 committed help was on the way. project also trained Cambodian staff promote the return to East Timor of
East Timor succeeded in quelling were ill-adapted to East Timorese to assume greater responsibility as well-balanced nutrition, including
civil strife, and East Timor received conditions and lacked purity. Multifaceted partnership expatriate specialists were gradually carbohydrates from cereals and root
international recognition as an Correcting these problems led The Cambodia–IRRI–Australia Project withdrawn and to continue research crops and protein from legumes.
independent state in May 2002. to the development of the Seeds combined IRRI, the Australian Agency and extension after the project drew to Upon our arrival in Dili for the
As the East Timorese set about of Life project, to be modeled on a for International Development and a close at the end of 2001. first planning meeting in November
rebuilding their nation, the most remarkable precedent in Cambodia. many nongovernmental organizations In September 2000, Colin 2000, we were welcomed by Dr.
immediate need was to revive Decades of terrible hardship — first (NGOs) in a multifaceted partnership Piggin of the Australian Centre Piggin, MAFF staff and our NGO
agriculture and restore food security. war, then brutal repression and to introduce, test, multiply and for International Agricultural partners Catholic Relief Services,
The first problem identified was the economic mismanagement under the distribute to Cambodian farmers Research (ACIAR) contacted IRRI World Vision International and
inadequacy of planting materials. Khmer Rouge, and finally military improved rice seed (see Rice Today, management regarding the urgent Australian Volunteers International.
Supplies of seed for planting staple occupation and diplomatic isolation Vol. 1, No. 1). Or, in the case of need to introduce, test and distribute Our enthusiasm received a boost
20 Rice Today October 2003 Rice Today October 2003 21
SEEDS OF LIFE staff pose with the future president (top
photo, left to right): (seated) Jose Abel, East Timor Divi-
sion of Agricultural Affairs; Dineen Tupa, World Vision;
Edwin Javier, IRRI; (standing) Clodagh McCumiskey,
Catholic Relief Services; Fernando González, CIMMYT; A VARIED DIET harvested from a research station in the highlands at Aileu includes (drawings, left to right)
Patrick Kapuka, World Vision; Brian Palmer, ACIAR; cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, peanuts and rice. (Bottom photos, from left) President Gusmão addresses the
Xanana Gusmão, now president of East Timor; Colin United Nations General Assembly in 2002; East Timorese women sift and clean rice; one of them tends beans.
Piggin, ACIAR, head of Seeds of Life project; Damarsetti
Yadagiri, ICRISAT; Reinhardt Howeler, CIAT; Alfonso de
Oliveira, Catholic Relief Services; Upali Jayasinghe, CIP.
when Xanana Gusmão, then president month rainy season. We agreed that varieties perform in farmers’ fields, which will be increased further in IRRI headquarters and another two
of the National Council for Resistance
in Timor and now president of
the CGIAR centers should assemble
diverse germplasm sets and test them
allow farmers to select the varieties
best suited to their management
local villages under the management
of farmer seed producers. Having a
trainees in the institute’s Integrated
Pest Management Course. Next
Announcement
the country, highly praised the in a wide range of environments in practices, and obtain feedback from seed-production and -distribution year, we plan to conduct in-country
commencement of collaborative work East Timor. farmers regarding these varieties. system at the village level should training in seed production for MAFF The Institute of Agriculture and
Food Research and Technology
between the national program and The project’s first annual technical In addition, the project serves as ensure quick delivery of seed to staff members, who will train in turn
(IRTA) is a research institution
international organizations. meeting in Dili in October 2001 a source of pure, vigorous seed for farmers. village farmer seed producers. with several locations in Catalonia,
The Seeds of Life team took a attracted all the key players, as did the farmers, and the trials double as One key objective is to develop On-farm farmer participatory Spain. We conduct basic and applied
field trip around East Timor, looking second such meeting in October 2002. demonstration fields for other farmers the technical capability of MAFF staff varietal testing and seed production research in the fields of agriculture,
for sites to conduct variety trials. In In both meetings, bolstered by words to see. Results of the researcher- in germplasm evaluation, production were critical components of the aquaculture, animal production and
its modest 19,000 sq km, East Timor of encouragement from Estanislau da managed and on-farm farmer and distribution. For starters, we highly successful Cambodia–IRRI– food technology.
packs considerable diversity of land Silva, minister of MAFF, we discussed participatory variety trials guide conducted a 2-day training course Australia Project. I believe that the We have a research position
and soil formations and climate. First, the results of researcher-managed the national program in identifying on general management practices Seeds of Life project, combining opening in rice agronomy at our
we traveled around the south coast, variety trials and identified for each varieties for release. for each target crop and on how the strengths of five CGIAR centers field station in Amposta, Tarragona,
where the rainy season sees 1,000– crop the best materials to include to conduct variety trials. Some 35 and applying strategies proven to Spain. We offer competitive salaries
1,500 mm of rainfall distributed over in our on-farm farmer participatory High-quality seed newly appointed district agricultural be effective in Cambodia, will be and a dynamic research environment.
Knowledge of Catalan or Spanish is
6 months, starting in December. In variety trials set to begin in the During our upcoming third annual officers, district crop production instrumental in helping East Timor
not a requirement. We ask candidates
contrast, the north coast receives 2002–03 cropping season. technical meeting in October 2003, officers and NGO technicians succeed in reinvigorating its farms to visit our Web site (www.irta.es,
considerably less rainfall, 800–1,000 In farmer participatory variety we will discuss how best to deliver participated, and we were pleased and villages. available in three languages) and
mm in a wet season that lasts only 3–4 trials, farmers grow one to three to farmers high-quality seed of the with the enthusiasm they showed. to send their CV to Dr. Tomàs Fosch
months. We also visited some sites in promising materials under their own best-adapted cultivars. This will Early this year, the project Dr. Javier, an IRRI plant breeder and coordinator (tomas.fosch@irta.es).
the hilly central part of the country, management and using their own probably entail the government sponsored the participation of of the International Network for Genetic Evaluation Deadline for applications is the
which receives a lot of rainfall, totaling resources. Through these trials, we setting up a seed farm for initial two East Timorese in the Rice of Rice, worked on the Cambodia‒IRRI‒Australia end of October 2003.
1,500–2,000 mm during the 6–8 hope to discover how well promising seed multiplication, the output of Production Training Course at Project in 1993‒98.
ARIEL JAVELLANA
In essence, biofortified crops fortify cretinism.
themselves with micronutrients. But what about the millions of
These crops offer higher nutrient poor who lack access to the health
levels straight from the field, giving clinics that dispense supplements and
poor farmers and sharecroppers, the markets that sell conventionally
and the urban populations they fortified foods? Other options are
N
supply, access to more nutritious food needed to reach the millions that
early 70% of the world’s without relying on processing with remain beyond the reach of existing
Breeding
poor and malnourished fortifying additives. methods of nutritional intervention.
live in Asia, where rice is “Inducing plants to fortify Biofortification of crops may be another
the staple food. In some themselves with vitamins and piece in the solution to this puzzle.
of the poorest areas, particularly minerals, and then
in South Asia, two-thirds of all delivering them to
calories consumed come from rice. the poor, requires
for nutrition
In Bangladesh, where preschool an interdisciplinary 80%
children derive up to 76% of their alliance of research 17%
calories from rice, 56% of them are and implementing 3%
underweight. What is worse, 73% of institutions all over
young children in Bangladesh suffer the globe,” Dr. Bouis
iron-deficiency anemia, challenging said. “Coordinating
their cognitive development. Half of such an alliance
all pregnant women in that country became possible
by Bonnie McClafferty face the same affliction, complicating only with the advent
Staples Nonstaple plant Animal and fish
T
A into staple crops, but he United States Agency 2002. Beginning even earlier in
can nutrient levels achieve for International 1967, other sections of USAID
sufficient density to have a Development (USAID) in Washington and numerous
significant impact on human believes that meeting three country missions have provided
health? Will farmers take fundamental needs of developing additional restricted funding,
up biofortified crops? Will nations — ensuring food security, focused on specific countries
malnourished consumers facilitating long-term economic or research targets, totaling
growth, and improving the lot more than $38 million by 2002.
welcome them? How much
of the rural and urban poor — Overall USAID support for IRRI
beneficial impact will these
requires the best that science can to date thus exceeds $162 million.
innovations finally have offer. We must apply agricultural We see a strong continuing
on public health? What science to maintain current levels need for IRRI’s leadership in
ICRISAT
CHUCK PATALIVE/USAID
question first. Success will productivity where possible Global benefits
demand the combined efforts of focus delivery of the technology to the committing valuable resources to to keep pace with expanding IRRI’s current research goals
agronomists, plant breeders and people who need it most and measure achieve a common goal. food demand and to stimulate are both demanding and highly
agricultural and economic promising. Some, like drought-
geneticists from advanced research its impact. Answers to the other questions
growth. Both goals rely heavily Mr. Moore is director of the Office of Environment and Science Policy in tolerant rice varieties, could
institutes, national research systems regarding the concept’s prospects
on advances in science and USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade. greatly help some of the world’s
in developing countries, and Broad alliance will become known as biofortified technology based on research. poorest farmers. Intensive aerobic
universities in both the developed Nongovernmental organizations and products become available to farmers Agricultural research takes Group on International Agricultural (dry field) rice systems may offer global
and developing world. Nutritionists extension specialists based primarily and consumers. many forms, ranging from cutting-edge Research (CGIAR), and national environmental benefits by saving water and
working both in modern laboratories in the developing world will facilitate The International Center science in advanced institutes to structured agricultural research systems. CABIO also fuel. Nutrient-rich high-iron and Golden
and in the field will formulate precise adoption and evaluation. Partnerships for Tropical Agriculture and the variety trials across a wide range of has regional projects in Africa and national Rice promise improved health for hundreds
objectives and evaluate the safety of with the private sector will provide International Food Policy Research environments — and even simple trial activities there and in other regions. of millions of people. IRRI’s partnerships
new crops and the bioavailability of access to patented technologies, Institute are the two CGIAR sister and error by individual farmers. USAID Although USAID is largely a bilateral with advanced research institutions
nutrients in the bodies of consumers. regulate their use for the common centers that share leadership of the increasingly emphasizes partnerships organization, we also pursue partnerships around the world further the new science
Sociologists and economists will good, and disseminate the technology Biofortification Challenge Program. with a wide range of public organizations, with other bilateral donors and of functional genomics, unlocking the
facilitating public-private research international organizations. The CGIAR enormous genetic diversity of cereal crops
where it can be They are joining forces with IRRI
collaboration and the participation of is a prominent example. Our Bureau for to find new solutions for poor farm families.
most effective. and other CGIAR centers and — by
nongovernmental organizations, to produce Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade Central as it may be to improving
Communications sharing materials, methods and knowledge-based public goods of benefit (EGAT) supports international research productivity and nutritional quality,
and social information related to breeding nationally and, more importantly as programs involving U.S. universities and research is not the whole story. Maximizing
marketing for nutrition — ensuring that the knowledge spills over borders, regionally or developing-country institutions through, its impact on agricultural communities
specialists will program will have the broadest even globally. IRRI occupies the crossroads for example, the Collaborative Research and economic development requires
build support for possible impact. of this dynamic international process. Support Program. USAID funds an array of complementary action. USAID’s new
this innovative Immediately, the program is regional collaborative research networks in agricultural strategy therefore focuses on
approach among overseeing expansion of existing New opportunities Africa, some involving CGIAR centers. Our three related areas: (1) expanding domestic
the donor breeding programs. Because of Research frontiers such as biotechnology country missions in 79 countries around and international trade opportunities and
community and the progress already made, high-iron rice provide exciting new opportunities, making the world conduct a range of development the ability of farmers and rural industries to
possible agricultural breakthroughs and programs that build on an array of existing respond to them, (2) promoting sustainable
public. In short, and high-beta carotene (provitamin
speeding the development of other useful foundations, including the CGIAR and agriculture and improved management
success will require A) orange-flesh sweet potato will
technologies. USAID’s new Collaborative CABIO. of natural resources, and (3) bridging
a broad alliance likely be the first biofortified products Agricultural Biotechnology Initiative USAID has long viewed IRRI as a the knowledge gap through training and
of disciplines and out the door. IRRI’s high-iron (CABIO) facilitates increased support for cornerstone of the CGIAR because of its education, outreach, and adaptive research.
organizations with variety IR68144 (a nontransgenic technological innovation while ensuring enormous contributions to global food In any effort to provide public goods,
complementary rice) is already in large-scale human safety for consumers and the environment. security, especially in Asia. USAID started needs greatly exceed means, at the global
areas of expertise feeding trials to test how effectively it Two global CABIO projects — the providing core (unrestricted) funding level and especially in the poorest nations.
— an inclusive alleviates anemia. Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project to IRRI in 1970, before the CGIAR was CGIAR centers such as IRRI play a major
ARIEL JAVELLANA
collaboration at Cornell University and the Program in established. This support, handled centrally role in ensuring that the global research
Bonnie McClafferty is the coordinator of com- Biosafety Systems — use partnerships with through EGAT, has continued, reaching a system makes the most of available
that depends on munications for the Biofortification Challenge
all participants Program. IRRI, its sister centers in the Consultative cumulative total of nearly $124 million in financial and human resources.
away on 19 April in Melbourne, Among his many honors were the Silver Medal of the Austra- lected in May to become chair
Australia. As the first executive lian Institute of Agricultural Science (1969) and appointment as of the IRRI Board of Trustees.
director of the Crawford Fund a foundation fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological In January 2004, Dr. Otsuka
(1987–96), he wrote and lob- Sciences and Engineering (1975), an officer of the Order of the Brit- will replace Angeline Kamba,
bied passionately on the theme ish Empire (1977) and an officer in the Order of Australia (1993). a public service commissioner
of Doing Well by Doing Good In 2000, the Crawford Fund established the Derek Tribe Award from Zimbabwe, who will step
(the title of his first book, pub- (given this year to Luis Salazar; see page 30). down after almost 2 years in
● B.P. Ghildyal, former IRRI liaison scientist for India (1986– the post. IRRI’s independent,
CRAWFORD FUND
IRRI
tute of the CGIAR) and served on its Board of Trustees (1973–80). cultural Engineering Department at IRRI (1980–86), died in Corpus the director of the graduate
He undertook consultancies for the Rockefeller Foundation,
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization of the
Christi, Texas, on 16 May at the age of 82.
● Nuth Sakhan, director of the Agronomy Department of the
Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, died
H arold John Nesbitt was appointed a
member of the Order of Australia (AM)
on the Queen’s Birthday 2003 Honors List,
program of the Foundation for
Advanced Studies on Interna-
tional Development. The foun-
ARIEL JAVELLANA
UN, International Development Research Centre, International on 28 March. released in June. The appointment was for dation conducts development
“service to agriculture as project manager research in Asia and Africa and
Keeping up with IRRI staff T.P. Tuong became in February the new head of Crop, Soil and agronomist for the Cambodia–Inter-
national Rice Research Institute–Australia
offers educational and training
programs for aspiring develop-
and Water Sciences. He had served as acting head of the division
five centers leading the program. version of provitamin A-rich Golden Rice (see page 9). sultancy services and running a real estate cultural Research. His past research subjects team to keep the institute focused on its
Renee Lafitte replaced Dr. Bennett in May as team leader David Dawe was the only Westerner among 20 “Asian hero” development company. include the effect of the Green Revolution most important goals and challenges. These
of Project 7 (Genetic enhancement for improving productivity and nominees culled from 10,000 entries for a special report in the Dr. Nesbitt was scheduled to receive on income distribution in Asia; how land include how to help rice workers and farm-
human nutrition in fragile environments). Dr. Lafitte has extensive 28 April issue of Time magazine. Dr. Dawe, an economist, was the award and medal from the governor of tenancy, land tenure and natural resource ers climb out of the terrible poverty in which
experience in the areas of plant physiology and crop improvement nominated without his knowledge by a national colleague in IRRI's Western Australia, Lieutenant General John management affect farmer efficiency and so many of them remained trapped, and how
for tolerance of abiotic stresses and is active in facilitating and co- Social Sciences Division. Always a dark horse, he tied for 16th place Sanderson, in an investiture ceremony on 12 equity in Asia and Africa; and gender issues to do this in a sustainable, environmentally
ordinating the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments. with 0.3% of the vote. September at Government House in Perth. in inheritance and schooling investment. friendly way.”
Award-a-BRAC alleviation program that engages 3.6 million K.L. Heong, deputy head of IRRI’s Hei Leung, plant pathologist in Crop Science Society of America for 2003.
poor households, a health program that ben- Entomology and Plant Pathology Division EPPD, was selected as a fellow by the In addition to two stints at IRRI (1982–91,
F
azle Hasan
Abed, found-
er and chair of
efits 31 million people, and 34,000 primary
schools for 1.1 million poor children. The
largest private development organization
(EPPD), received the inaugural Award of
Excellence in plant protection from the
Malaysian Plant Protection Society. Dr.
American Phytopathological Society Awards
and Honors Committee for his outstanding
contributions in plant pathology.
2001–present) Dr. Mackill has been a
research geneticist and adjunct professor
at the University of California, Davis, and
the Bangladesh in the world, BRAC started programs in Heong, a life member of the society, which Vethaiya Balasubramanian, an worked for the U.S. Department of Agricul-
Rural Advance- Afghanistan last year. Past winners of the he helped to found in 1976, received its Out- agronomist in the IRRI Training Center, ture–Agricultural Research Service.
ment Commit- award include Nelson Mandela (1993). standing Contributions Award in 1986 and received in May the 2003 International Kenneth G. Cassman, head of the
Trustees, in whose citation read: “If you want to know has made significant scientific contributions efficiency and environmental sustainability. lege of Tropical Agriculture and Human
April received the Gleitsman Foundation the state of the art in providing sustainable to plant protection. to spread blight-resistant rice varieties over Dr. Balasubramanian’s development and Resources Outstanding Alumnus. Dr. Cass-
International Activist Award for 2003 microfinance and services to the poor and Tom Mew (pictured opposite, right), millions of hectares in the Philippines and promotion of the leaf color chart over the man, who was head of IRRI’s Agronomy,
on Eradication of Poverty, which annu- how to reach and assist the ultrapoor or how head of EPPD, received in May the Philip- other Asian countries. His work on manag- past 7 years has helped thousands of farmers Plant Physiology and Agroecology Division
ally honors individuals who have inspired to help oppressed women achieve their hu- pine Phytopathological Society Achievement ing rice seed health and seed-associated apply fertilizers more efficiently. (1991–96), has achieved international rec-
change and motivated others in the realm man rights, you have to look at BRAC, its Award for his contributions to rice pathol- microorganisms for rice disease manage- David J. Mackill, head of IRRI’s ognition for his contributions to sustainable
of social activism. Under Mr. Abed’s ideas and its systematic approach to learn- ogy and crop protection. Dr. Mew, a world ment has been adopted as a key component Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biochemistry food production in developing countries.
leadership, BRAC operates a poverty- ing from experience.” authority on rice bacterial blight, has worked of integrated pest management. Division, has been selected as a fellow of the continued on page 30
GRAINDELL
detection and clean-up methodolo- scientific achievements. novations conduct research involving both crops.
gies. A virus clean-up technology B. Mishra, project director of the Directorate of Rice Research and Impact
CIP
for sweet potato he developed with in Hyderabad, India, and his associate R.K. Singh won in July the for Livelihood
Chinese partners on both sides of the Taiwan Strait is credited with biennial Hari Om Ashram Trust Award of the Indian Council of (edited by T.W.
bringing US$550 million in economic benefit to Chinese farms and Agricultural Research. Drs. Mishra and Singh were chosen in recog- Mew et al; co- For more than 40 years, IRRI has published
villages since 1997. Dr. Salazar will visit Australia in the last quarter nition of their genetic studies and breeding and development of rice published with its rice research findings in scientific books
of 2003 to receive the award and speak at various national institu- varieties tolerant of saline and sodic soils, which they carried out at the Chinese for researchers worldwide. Now there is
a compelling reason for the institute to
tions about his work. the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute at Karnal, Haryana. Academy of
venture into publishing for a new audience
William D. Dar, director general of the International Crops Howarth Bouis, an agricultural economist in the Interna- Engineering — children — to instill in them the value
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, was elected in May tional Food Policy Research Institute, has been appointed program and the Chi- of rice to farmers and consumers (including
chairman of the Governing Board of the Future Harvest Foundation. director of the CGIAR Biofortification Challenge Program (see page nese Academy themselves) and to teach them about its
Dr. Dar, who is also chair of the Public Awareness and Resource 24). Dr. Bouis is a pioneer in developing the concept of breeding of Agricultural impact on Asian cultures, the environment
Mobilization Committee of the Consultative Group on International staple crops with augmented nutritional value. Sciences; 1,022 pages) is the proceedings and human health.
Agricultural Research (CGIAR), succeeds Hubert Zandstra, direc- Jan Laarman has been named World Agroforestry Centre of the 24th International Rice Research Graindell (by acclaimed Filipino children’s
tor general of the International Potato Center. The appointment is deputy director general for programs. Dr. Laarman is a forest and Conference, held as part of the 1st Inter- author R.O. Villanueva and illustrated by R.A.
for 2 years. The 16 centers of the CGIAR created the Future Harvest natural resource policy economist most recently at the International national Rice Congress in Beijing, 16–20 Abos; 30 pages) is IRRI’s first storybook for
Foundation in 1998 to catalyze action for a world with less poverty, Resource Group, where he led the program support unit of the September 2002. Dedicated to Gurdev young people and the first of a planned series
of books that will reach out to both urban and
a better environment and food security. Dr. Dar recently received Egyptian Environmental Policy Program. Previously, he led the Re- Khush, whose work with many collabora-
rural children — starting in the Philippines
an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Mariano Marcos State gional Environmental Program for Central America (1996–2001). tors has provided more rice for millions, and then extending across Asia and to the
University in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The center also named Mohamed Bakarr director of strategic the volume contains selected papers world beyond.
Jacques Eckebil began in July a 1-year term as interim direc- initiatives. Dr. Bakarr was vice president for research in the Center presented at the conference, along with Rice-Feeding Insects and Selected The story is about two young boys, Abu
tor general of the International Service for National Agricultural for Applied Biodiversity Science of Conservation International. Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s opening Natural Enemies in West Africa (by E.A. and Thor, who live on a tiny, poor planetoid
Research (ISNAR). Dr. Eckebil has held a number of director and Mutsuo Iwamoto was appointed in April president of Japan address and some keynote speeches. The Heinrichs and A.T. Barrion; illustrated by called Graindell, where it is difficult to grow
head-of-program positions in his native Cameroon and served as International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Iwa- papers report on the latest in cutting-edge C. dela Cruz and J.R. Adorada; edited by food. The two friends share a dream to improve
deputy director general for international cooperation of the In- moto, who had been director-general of the Agriculture, Forestry rice research conducted by some of the G.P. Hettel; co-published with the West life on Graindell, which they ultimately
ternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture (1988–95). In 1995, and Fisheries Research Council Secretariat, replaced Takahiro world’s most distinguished agricultural Africa Rice Development Association achieve. The book captures IRRI’s goal for all
he joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Inoue, who retired. scientists. the children of the world — that is, to make
[WARDA] – The Africa Rice Center; 240
their home a better place to live.
Im- pages) provides the first comprehensive
A parallel educational Graindell Web
continued from page 29 bal, Lizzel Llorca and collaborating part- The M.S. Swaminathan Outstanding proving the taxonomic keys to West African rice-feed- site (www.Graindell.com) serves as a point of
Gurdev S. Khush, IRRI consultant ners from the National Irrigation Administra- Research Award went in July to the paper Productivity ing insects and their natural enemies. convergence for children and their stewards
and former principal plant breeder, re- tion and Philippine Rice Research Institute Marker-aided pyramiding of bacterial and Sustain- West African rice farmers face many — parents, teachers, storywriters and
ceived in March a Doctor of Science degree are the coauthors. The society’s Outstanding blight resistance to genes in maintainer ability of constraints in their quest to increase rice illustrators, and other concerned citizens.
(honoris causa) from ND University of Ag- Regional Chapter Award went to Region IV, lines of hybrid rice, by IRRI scientists Rice-Wheat production. As cropping intensity and cul- The site is a developing knowledge bank on
riculture and Technology, Faizabad, India. whose president is Eugenio Castro, Jr., Hei Leung and Casiana Vera Cruz, Systems: tural practices change to meet production rice geared to young people, taking in science,
In May, Dr. Khush was one of 12 biotechnol- IRRI assistant scientist and engineer. Lucia Briones of Leyte State University, Issues and needs in the region, it will be important food and nutrition, arts and culture, literacy,
ogy pioneers recognized by the Council for Peter Fredenburg, writer/editor in Edilberto Redoña of Philippine Rice Impacts to avoid the problem of increased pest and community participation.
Biotechnology Information for innovations IRRI’s Visitors and Information Services, Research Institute, Marina Natural of (edited by pressure. With 600 hand-drawn illustra-
spanning the last 20 years. won the Association for Communication University of the Philippines Los Baños, and J.K. Ladha et tions, the book describes the presence and
Domingo Tabbal, Sr., IRRI associ- Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Re- Brad Porter and Frank White of Kansas al; co-pub- abundance of important insects and spi-
ate scientist, was named a fellow in April sources, and Life and Human Sciences State University, all of whom collaborate un- lished with ders in the various climatic zones and rice
at the 53rd Annual National Convention (ACE) 2003 Gold Award in the category der the Asian Rice Biotechnology Network. the Ameri- ecosystems of West Africa. This collabora-
of the Philippines Society of Agricul- writing for magazines for his Rice Today The poster Expression analysis of can Soci- tive work combines the unique knowledge
tural Engineers. IRRI water scientist Bas feature Lost Horizons Restored (Vol. 1, stress-related genes in resistant and sus- ety of Agronomy and the International and expertise of two sister CGIAR centers,
Bouman was elected honorary member for No. 1, April 2002, or visit www.aceweb.org/ ceptible rice phenotypes in response to Maize and Wheat Improvement Center;
ARIEL JAVELLANA
IRRI and WARDA.
the year. The IRRI paper Technology transfer homepage/ace_cd2003). Juan Lazaro blast challenge won second prize in the
for water savings (TTWS) in Central Luzon,
Philippines: preliminary results and impli-
IV, graphic artist in IRRI’s Communica-
tion and Publications Services, and Gene
Best Poster category of the Federation of
Crop Science Societies of the Philippines
Did you know…?
As part of the National Children’s Book Day
cations was acclaimed the best technical pa- Hettel, the unit’s camera-wielding head, conference in April. Bin Liu, Ramil IRRI Library and Documentation Service provides instant delivery of requested rice celebration on 15 July, IRRI Director General
per in the energy systems, water management shared the ACE 2003 Silver Award in the Mauleon, Marichu Bernardo, Violeta literature by pdf attached to email messages, through the Internet-based document Ronald Cantrell and author R.O. Villanueva sign
and environmental management category. category of graphic design for covers, for Bartolome, Alexander Cosico and Hei delivery system Ariel. Visit http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org or email irripub@cgiar.org to copies of Graindell during the book’s national
Ruben Lampayan, Dr. Bouman, Mr. Tab- the third edition of Rice Almanac. Leung are the authors. learn more. launch at the Museo Pambata in Manila.
A
Challenge Program on Water and Food www.cgiar.org/iwmi 2–6 Nov / Nairobi, Kenya
lmost everyone acknowledges beginning of the 0.70
ters and an official reception in the evening; on — baseline conference led by IWMI
28 October stakeholder field visits to farmers, Annual Meeting of the American Society www.agronomy.org 2–6 Nov / Denver, USA that the Green Revolution Green Revolution.
of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of 0.60 1970
community projects and research institutes; America, Soil Science Society of America
has substantially increased A widely used 2001
and on 29–30 October CGIAR stakeholder Invasive Plants in Natural and Managed http://esa.org/ipinams-emapi7 3–7 Nov / Ft. Lauderdale, USA the yield and supply of cereals in measure of 0.50
discussions. An exhibition including displays Systems: Linking Science and Management the developing world during the concentration is
from each of the 16 international agricultural and 7th International Conference on the
Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions
past 30 years. However, some critics the Hirschmann– 0.40
research centers supported by the CGIAR and maintain that these improvements in Herfindahl
British Crop Protection Council International www.bcpc.org 10–12 Nov / Glasgow, UK
many partner organizations will be open on Congress — Crop Science & Technology productivity perversely encouraged index, in which 1 0.30
27–30 October. Highlights will include the 1st European Conference on the Co- www.agrsci.dk/GMCC-03 13–14 Nov / Helsingor,
existence of Genetically Modified Crops Denmark
farmers to specialize in growing equals absolute
International Food Policy Research Institute’s 0.20
biennial report State of the World’s Food; the with Conventional and Organic Crops cereals at the expense of other, uniformity and
Research on Water in Agricultural Production IRRI-Training@cgiar.org 25–28 Nov / Phnom Penh, more nutritious crops. The Green lower decimals
Crawford Lecture presented by Susan Whelan, in Asia for the 21st Century Cambodia
0.10
minister for international cooperation, Cana- 7th International Conference on Plant www.anpp.asso.fr/calendrier.htm 3–5 Dec / Tours, France
Revolution, they say, worsened the indicate greater
da; a ministerial roundtable and presentation Diseases. Tomorrow: A New Perspective for nutritional status of people living in diversity. Applied 0.00 Bangladesh China India Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam
by the Earth Institute’s Jeffrey Sachs; and Plant Protection developing countries. to cropping
American Society for Cell Biology 43rd www.ascb.org/meetings 13–17 Dec / San Francisco,
presentation of the CGIAR Science Awards. In
Annual Meeting USA
While the availability of modern systems, it shows Fig. 1. Hirschmann–Herfindahl index of cropping uniformity.
the inaugural Innovation Marketplace on 29 British Society for Plant Pathology www.bspp.org.uk 15–18 Dec / Nottingham, UK rice varieties may have encouraged that farmers in
October, African civil society organizations will Presidential Meeting some farmers to specialize in growing most Asian countries plant a
be invited to submit program proposals that 2004
International Advances in Pesticide http://aab.org.uk/meetings/ 5–7 Jan / London, UK
rice, there is no evidence that such wider variety of different crops 19.3%
26.1%
demonstrate innovative approaches to collab- specialization has been widespread. today than was the case in 1970
Application 2004 mtgs2004/pest2004.htm 11.6%
orative work leading to adoption or adaptation Plant and Animal Genome XII Conference www.intl-pag.org/pag 10–14 Jan / San Diego, USA Rice harvested area (hectares under (Figure 1). 43.0%
of CGIAR and national institute research. Also Hawaii International Conference on Sciences www.hicsciences.org 15–18 Jan / Honolulu, USA
featured in the Innovation Marketplace will 2004 Fertilizer Marketing Business Meeting vbrown@tfi.org; www.tfi.org 1–3 Feb / New Orleans, USA
rice multiplied by the number of The bottom line, however,
be the conferring of the US$20,000 People’s 7th International Bielefeld Conference 2004 lossau@ub.uni-bielefeld.de; 3–5 Feb / Bielefeld, Germany croppings per year) has declined as is not what farmers grow but
www.ub.uni-bielefeld.de a percentage of total crop harvested the nutritional value of the food
Choice Award.
Weed Science Soc. of Am. Annual Meeting www.wssa.net 7–11 Feb / Kansas City, USA
American Association for the Advancement www.aaas.org/meetings 12–17 Feb / Seattle, USA
area in nearly all Asian rice-growing people eat. Despite some critics’
National per capita calorie supply Women’s status
MODERN RICE FARMING of Science Annual Meeting economies since 1970 (Table 1). impression that malnutrition
Crop Protection in Northern Britain www.cpnb.org 24–25 Feb / Dundee, UK Women’s education Access to safe water
The International Conference on Modern Rice Thus, if some farmers increasingly in developing countries has
Farming will take place on 14–16 October at 11th International Symposium on xrzhang@chem.tsinghua.edu.cn 5–8 May / Beijing, China
Analytical Chemistry
specialized in rice, others must have worsened, the incidence of Fig. 2. Contributions of various factors to reduction in
Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. 15th International Plant Protection Congress ippc2003@ipmchina.net; 11–16 May / Beijing, China diversified into other crops — and child malnutrition, at any child malnutrition in developing countries, 1970–95.
Co-organized by Malaysian Agricultural www.ipmchina.cn.net/ippc/index.htm done so over a larger harvested area. rate, actually declined in these
Research and Development Institute, IRRI, BIO 2004 International Biotechnology www.bio.org 6–9 Jun / San Francisco, USA
Despite a near doubling of the total countries between 1970 and 1995,
Muda Agricultural Development Authority Convention and Exhibition
rice harvest, rice is now less dominant according to a recent study by Agricultural Economics,1 also shows
and Malaysian Plant Protection Society, the
conference will consider a broad range of top-
in Asian agriculture than it was before Lisa Catherine Smith and Lawrence that the greater availability of calories
2004 IRRI GROUP TRAINING COURSES (TENTATIVE LISTING) the Green Revolution. Haddad of the International Food at the national level — a direct
ics, from land leveling to marketing. For details Duration Coordinator(s)/
Course Target date Overall cropping diversity — the Policy Research Institute. While consequence of the Green Revolution
visit www.mardi.my. (wk) course facilitator
Two-Week Rice Production, 1st offering 2 Jan V. Balasubramanian variety of different crops planted — the incidence of child malnutrition — contributed greatly to the easing of
ART OF RICE Integrated Nutrient Management 2 Feb R. Buresh also seems to have increased since the still stood at a dismal 31% in 1995, child malnutrition during this period.
Rice Breeding 3 Feb G. Atlin
On 5 October, the UCLA Fowler Museum of
Integrated Pest Management 3 Mar K. Heong
this reflected The authors credit more calories per
Cultural History will open an exhibition in Los Oryza 2000 (Chia Agricultural University, China) Apr B. Bouman a reduction capita with one-fourth of the total
Table 1. Share of rice in total crop area harvested.
Angeles, California, entitled The Art of Rice: Rodent Management 3 TBA G. Singleton / K. Heong of one-third reduction (Figure 2). The only factor
Spirit and Sustenance in Asia. This traveling Two-Week Rice Production, 2nd offering 2 Sep V. Balasubramanian 1970 1985 2001
Rice Breeding for Better Nutrition 1 TBA G. Gregorio
from the 46.5% making a greater contribution was
exhibition examines the interplay between Bangladesh 0.78 0.72 0.75
recorded in improved education for women. This
Oryza2000 1 TBA B. Bouman
rice and culture through a study of an array China 0.24 0.23 0.18
English for Conversation* 2 TBA A. Arboleda 1970. provided more mothers with the
of visual art, including works from China, Basic and Conversational English* 8 TBA A. Arboleda
Japan, India, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Intensive English 1* 12 TBA A. Arboleda
India 0.23 0.24 0.25 The study, nutritional knowledge to make better
Philippines and other Asian countries. The Scientific Writing and Presentation 1 Oct A. Arboleda Indonesia 0.43 0.43 0.38 which appeared use of available food to safeguard
exhibition, which runs until April 2004, brings Intensive English 2 3 Nov A. Arboleda Malaysia 0.25 0.16 0.12 in the journal their children’s health.
e-Learning for Development 2 online A. Atkinson
together the research and creativity of an in- Intro to IRRIStat 1 TBA G. McLaren / V. Bartolome Philippines 0.33 0.26 0.32
ternational group of more than 20 curators, Intro to SAS Version 8 for Windows 1 TBA G. McLaren / V. Bartolome Thailand 0.64 0.54 0.57 1
Smith LS, Haddad L. 2001. How important is improving food availability for
anthropologists and artists. For details, visit Leadership Course for Asian Women in Agricultural R & D 2 Nov T. Paris
Vietnam 0.75 0.66 0.62 reducing child malnutrition in developing countries? Agricultural Economics
www.fmch.ucla.edu/Exhibits/exhibit.htm. TBA = to be arranged. * = after 5 pm classes only. For details, email IRRI-Training@cgiar.org.
26:191-204.
A
Banaue, Philippines
simmering controversy boiled over a couple years protected all of its jasmine rice seed transfers with the
ago when newspaper articles accused American plant standard CGRFA material transfer agreement (MTA). The
breeders of seeking to undercut Thailand’s valuable MTA bars the recipient from taking out patents or any
export trade in aromatic jasmine rice. Fueling the debate other form of intellectual property protection on jasmine
were inaccurate reports, misconceptions regarding interna- rice obtained from the GRC, or on any related information.
tional agreements governing the exchange of rice seeds, and The GRC has distributed Khao Dawk Mali in this way on
excessive fears over the implications for Thai rice farmers and 53 occasions to 50 distinct third parties in 18 countries.
traders. My purpose here is to set the record straight. Thai officials were fully aware that such exchanges were
Scientists began collecting jasmine rice seeds in Thailand taking place.
and transferring them to IRRI in 1960, the year of the insti- Between 1985 (when seed distribution records were
tute’s foundation. The process, repeated on many occasions, computerized) and the implementation of the CBD, the
always complied with international GRC sent Khao Dawk Mali seed
agreements, guidelines and codes 103 times to 70 distinct third
of conduct pertaining at the time. The Genetic Resources Center parties in 22 countries, including
Transfers took place in cooperation eight transfers to scientists in
with the relevant Thai authorities, holds jasmine rice samples the USA. In accordance with the
who agreed to the material being in trust under the auspices approved practice at that time, the
distributed to researchers and sci- GRC distributed the seeds freely
entists overseas. of the Food and Agriculture without an MTA.
Jasmine rice consequently In 1995, an IRRI scientist
became widely used in rice Organization of the United working outside the GRC, unaware
research and breeding. The Nations. This FAO designation that recent changes in germplasm-
Genetic Resources Center (GRC) exchange protocols applied to seeds
at IRRI holds nine samples and means that the center is obliged in his research collection, sent
derivatives of a form of jasmine jasmine rice seeds to colleagues
rice known as Khao Dawk Mali to provide seeds to any party in the USA without the required
collected between 1970 and 1982 that agrees to the legally binding MTA. This was regrettable but
(samples collected before 1970 fully rectified when the recipients
did not survive). All nine are held terms set by the Commission on retroactively agreed to the terms of
under the auspices of the Food the CGRFA MTA. To prevent recur-
and Agriculture Organization of Genetic Resources for Food rence, IRRI implemented a training
the United Nations in trust for and Agriculture program to bring IRRI scientists up
the benefit of the international to speed on the CBD. It also insti-
community. This FAO designation tuted regulations that make a single
means that the GRC is obliged to provide seeds to any party laboratory operated by germplasm-exchange specialists the
that agrees to the legally binding terms set by the Commis- single gateway for all seed transfers to or from IRRI.
sion on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The How does this affect Thai rice farmers and traders? Not
CGRFA, whose membership of 166 countries includes both much. Climate, soil and other factors combine to create a
Thailand and the USA, is the leader in forging intergovern- unique environment in northeast Thailand for cultivating
mental agreements on the exchange of germplasm (seeds this exceptional rice. Most plant breeders agree that, even if
and other genetic material). It also ensures compliance with scientists in America or elsewhere succeed in developing their
these agreements and handles disputes, including alleged own jasmine rice varieties, they still won’t be able to replicate
infringements. Thai growing conditions. Therefore, they have little chance
Since 1994, following the commission’s revision of of producing jasmine rice to match the aromatic harvest of
germplasm exchange requirements to comply with the northeast Thailand, the delight of millions of people around
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the GRC has the world.
34 Rice Today October 2003
IRRI launches its first children’s storybook. . .
G raindell — IRRI’s first venture into the
world of publishing for children — was
written by renowned Filipino children’s
author Rene O. Villanueva. The book captures the
institute’s goal for all children of the world, which
is for them to be part of a progressive community
where no one goes hungry. Through this story
of friendship and goals achieved through hard
work, IRRI introduces its future stakeholders to
important issues and the concept that “Rice is
life” at a very opportune time as the International
Year of Rice approaches in 2004.
Graindell, “a planetoid in another part of the
galaxy,” tells the story of two friends, Abu and
Thor, who share a common dream — to turn
their home into a great place to live. This simple,
yet moving, tale comes alive with the masterful
and unforgettable illustrations of Redge Abos,
a young and talented artist from Ilustrador ng
Copies of Graindell can be obtained by writing to Division WB, CPS-Marketing and
Distribution Unit, International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Kabataan, a guild for illustrators of Philippine
Philippines; Fax no.: (63-2) 761-2404, 761-2406; Email: irripub@cgiar.org or through
accessing IRRI’s online publications catalog at www.irri.org/publications/catalog.
children's books.