Chiang Mai, Thailand
November 3, 2008
The voice of rice--the grain that
feeds half the world-has become even stronger with the new
partnership announced here on 21 October between the
International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) and The Rice Trader, Inc. (TRT), publisher
of the world's premier publication on rice trade issues.
For 7 years, IRRI, through its quarterly magazine Rice Today,
has kept the world informed about developments in rice research
to help millions of poor farmers improve their rice production
and pull themselves out of poverty.
For 18 years, TRT has brought its subscribers crucial,
up-to-the-minute information on the state of play in the world
of rice trading through its publication The Rice Trader, a
weekly summary of market and data analysis. The Rice Trader if
acknowledged as the only source of privately held research into
rice markets that has helped both leading commercial rice
companies and regional government officials to make crucial
decisions on rice markets. Now, at a time when rice issues are
capturing global attention more than any time in the past 30
years, the two organizations are joining forces to create the
leading voice on rice issues worldwide.
Jeremy Zwinger, president of TRT, and Achim Dobermann, IRRI
deputy director general for research, kicked off the new
partnership at a signing ceremony at World Rice Commerce 2008,
held in Chiang Mai, 20-22 October.
"IRRI's research expertise combined with TRT's extensive
knowledge of the trade industry will allow Rice Today to grow
well beyond its current reach and develop a much broader
appeal," Mr. Zwinger said. "The global rice industry, which
employs literally hundreds of millions of people, has been
described as the single most important economic activity on the
planet. We believe that the new improved version of Rice Today
will offer the mouthpiece that such a critical industry
deserves."
"The partnership will allow us to expand the scope of Rice Today
magazine both geographically and in content, which will result
in a significant increase in subscribers and readers," said Dr.
Dobermann. "Now, Rice Today will focus on key trade developments
in addition to its core subjects of research and technology."
The Rice Trader Inc. will take on the responsibility of
publishing Rice Today, adding new content and resources that
will showcase the vital partnership between research and trade.
IRRI's continued role in the production of Rice Today, blended
with TRT's commercial focus, will take a world-class publication
to new heights.
The first issue of Rice Today to be published under the new
arrangement will be Vol. 8, No. 2, April-June 2009. Existing
subscribers will continue to receive the magazine.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the
world’s leading rice research and training center. Based in the
Philippines, with offices in 13 other countries, IRRI is an
autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on improving the
well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and
consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving
natural resources. IRRI is one of 15 centers funded through the
Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an association
of public and private donor agencies. |
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