Reuters via
Checkbiotech.org
Rice growers battling to prepare for water
crisis
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) chief Ron
Cantrell was cited as saying Thursday that lack of cash is
holding back research into more water-effective rice varieties,
as Asia heads for a water crisis, adding, "There is no doubt the
most important issue in rice over the next 20 to 30 years is the
availability of fresh water."
Water effective rice was being developed
because of the impending water crisis. "This is a slow process,
but we have identified a few more varieties that fit this," he
added.
But severe funding cuts have hit the
institute's research. IRRI was formed 43 years ago to provide
research to help southeast Asian farmers and relies on 20
countries for money. One major donor recently halved its
contributions.
