Los Baños, The Philippines
March 3, 2009
With yield growth rates under 1
percent since 2000, partnership will target acceleration and
commercialization to meet growing global demand
DuPont and the
International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) today announced a partnership to boost rice
yields. The Scientific Know-How and Exchange Program (SKEP)
establishes a new model for public-private sector collaboration
that can benefit farmers and consumers while stimulating
commercial innovation.
“This innovative and novel partnership will enable the leading
public research institution in rice breeding and genetics to
collaborate with the global leader in advanced plant genetics,
breeding and product development to increase global rice
productivity,” said William S. Niebur, vice president – DuPont
Crop Genetics Research and Development. “By partnering with IRRI
to strengthen and accelerate hybrid rice breeding efforts, we
will enhance commercialization of higher yielding hybrids in
Asia to help meet global demand.”
The goal of the collaboration is to increase the rate of yield
gains and to boost the quality and diversity of hybrid rice.
Collaborating scientists will further develop the understanding
of hybrid vigor in rice and will work to develop hybrids with
better resistance to brown planthopper, a key insect pest.
Aspects of this work will be shared publicly and will contribute
to making better advanced breeding lines and hybrids available
to rice breeders and farmers in Asia. The project will
complement the IRRI-led Hybrid Rice Research and Development
Consortium.
“Yield growth rates have slowed to less than 1 percent per year
since 2000. If this trend isn’t reversed soon, future rice
supplies will tighten and prices will rise,” said Achim
Dobermann, IRRI deputy director general for research. “A
turnaround can only come through accelerated investment in rice
research, including new, innovative public-private sector
partnerships such as this one between IRRI and DuPont.”
The new program also establishes a scholarship program to
support continued interest in agricultural research. DuPont
business Pioneer Hi-Bred will fund a doctorate scholarship to
educate a new generation of highly qualified rice scientists for
the public and private sectors in Asia.
Both partners will benefit from SKEP through sharing facilities
and germplasm as well as through interaction among scientists.
The research collaboration builds on the strengths of both
partners. IRRI has a large and diverse germplasm pool for hybrid
development. Pioneer will provide critical capabilities for
molecular analysis, expertise in developing commercial-scale
breeding strategy, and field locations for wider testing of IRRI
and Pioneer hybrids.
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 supported, in part,
by members of the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and a
range of other funding agencies.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
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