Los Baños, The
Philippines
July 20, 2009
Two new sister
lines of rice are defying rice’s reputation as a thirsty crop as
they demonstrate their improved productivity in drought-prone
regions of India and the Philippines.
Rice Today’s July-September 2009 edition features the
development of
drought-tolerant rice
and other research the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and its
collaborators are doing to curb the devastating effects of
drought.
With some degree of water shortages predicted to affect 15-20
million hectares of irrigated rice within 25 years,
smart crop management
and even
genetically modified rice
may also play a role in helping farmers cope with the crisis.
Rice Today continues to uncover major developments in
rice production worldwide. In
Uganda rice production
has increased 2.5 times from 2004 to 2008 through government
initiatives, private investment, and farmer support.
Across the other side of the planet
rice production,
consumption, and prospects in Latin America are being
explored. Rice is being promoted to consumers in Mexico and
Central America and in Brazil production is improving.
In light of further boosting production, IRRI takes a look at
some practical
solutions to help reduce
grain losses and improve grain quality during postharvest.
Between 15-20% of rice grains are often lost at this stage
because of unsuitable drying techniques, pests, and other
factors.
As IRRI approaches its 50th anniversary, Rice Today looks
at the Institute’s greatest challenges. We gathered the views of
former IRRI directors general, senior staff, and associates, in
this issue’s
Pioneer Interviews
section. From using biotechnology and finding IRRI’s niche as
our partners improve their capacity, to addressing climate
change and funding needs, their insights indicate how IRRI can
achieve its aims in the coming years.
Capacity-building programs remain high on the agenda with the
Rice Knowledge Bank
making inroads across many major rice-growing countries,
providing them with a free and reliable repository of
best-practice information.
All of these, plus the latest news, views, and books, are
available now in Rice Today (July-September, 2009).
Subscribers’ copies are now being mailed. To subscribe to Rice
Today’s electronic newsletter, which includes links to the full
content of the magazine, contact
Lourdes Columbres. |
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The latest from
Rice Today,
the magazine of the
International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) |
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