RICE BREEDING INNOVATIONS
The Rice Breeding Innovations (RBI) Department of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in collaboration with national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) partners, develops and deploys innovative breeding strategies, tools, and technologies to sustainably enhance the genetic potential of rice for higher yield and its ability to tolerate pest and diseases infestations, soil and environmental stresses due to drought, salinity, and sodicity, and lower temperatures while improving its grain and nutritional qualities resulting to delivery of improved varieties and products to farmers, consumers, and other end-users in a fast and effective manner.
RBI has been actively engaged in the modernization of IRRI's breeding programs to meet the needs of farmers and consumers. To that end, it has been involved in developing market segments and product concepts, relative maturity systems, product management, and the development of multilocation testing networks in collaboration with NARES partners. It utilizes a unified breeding strategy called 'OneRice,' for standardization, utilizing genomic selections and predictions, and reducing breeding cycle time through Rapid Generation Advancement. Underpinning these are pre-breeding activities such as deployment of major native genes into elite materials, disease resistance stewardship, making marker-assisted selection (MAS) more reliable, digitization of data through proprietary databases, and intellectual property records.
The RBI Program Management team ensures communications, delivery of project outcomes, and fulfillment of reporting requirements. The Department conducts all its activities in compliance with IRRI’s policies and procedures to ensure minimal environmental footprint. The Rice Breeding Risk Management team works with staff and liaises with the IRRI Risk Management team to ensure a safe working environment and implement safety compliance and mitigation strategies. All seeds are transferred nationally and internationally through “safe seed transfer” processes and procedures by testing them rigorously at the Seed Health and Logistics Unit based at IRRI before subjecting them to inspections and certification for phytosanitary and quarantine requirements. All seeds are only sent through FAO-developed Standard Material Transfer Agreement and IRRI’s Material Transfer Agreements to comply with CGIAR Intellectual Property policies and procedures.
Latest News
Farewell Dr. Hans Bhardwaj!
IRRI Rice Breeding Innovations Director plans to retire
After a significant number of years as the valued head of Rice Breeding Innovations, the largest of IRRI's teams, Dr. Hans Bhardwaj is set to retire effective January 13th, 2025 to begin the next chapter of his life with a focus on his children and grandchildren and undoubtedly on a happy and well-earned retirement.
CGIAR leading the charge: How data analytics is transforming crop breeding
Los Baños, Philippines (11 September 2024): In the fast-paced world of crop breeding, timing is everything. Breeders face immense time pressure, particularly during the critical crossing period, where multiple tasks must be handled simultaneously from controlled pollination, environmental management, seed development, harvesting, to analysis.
Rice phytobiome engineering could lead to greater food security, says IRRI and UC Davis scientists
Scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the University of California Davis recently published a groundbreaking paper that detailed an innovative pathway for exploring and manipulating the rice phytobiome to contribute to rice resilience and productivity, which in turn could help secure the global food supply in the face of climate change.
Inclusive communication campaigns drive the adoption of improved seeds in Uganda
Smallholder farmers from the Butaleja district of Eastern Uganda have long faced barriers to accessing and adopting high-quality seeds of improved varieties. Entrenched social norms, limited knowledge, and poor agricultural management practices have hindered the uptake of these high-quality seeds that could boost productivity, resilience, and livelihoods.
Breeding gains from fostering a culture of continuous improvement
Los Baños, Philippines (11 September 2024): To ensure a steady supply of nutritious, climate-resilient, and user-preferred crop varieties for smallholder farmers worldwide, CGIAR breeding teams must continuously enhance data accuracy, streamline processes, and achieve higher rates of genetic gains. While improving breeding processes is crucial for delivering these crop varieties, optimizing supporting operations is equally important for enhancing the overall system.
Engaging Women Farmers in Direct Seeded Rice System in Jharkhand
The challenges of rice farmers in Jharkhand
Jharkhand (“The land of the forest"), a state in eastern India, is home to many resource-poor tribal farmers. Rice is grown in 1.5 million hectares annually with a poor productivity of 2.4 tons per hectare. Depending on the topography, rice is grown in upland or medium-low land. Poor water holding capacity, rainfed system, sloping land, and acidic soils are the major characteristics of upland agricultural land. Merely 16% of the agricultural area has irrigation facilities in the wet season.
APEDA-ISARC to advance healthier rice-based food innovations
New Delhi, India (29 August 2024): An initiative led by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), is at the forefront of revolutionizing rice-based agri-food systems in India by enhancing the value of non-basmati rice varieties. The varieties are positioned as key contributors to the emerging low Glycemic Index (GI) rice industry in India. This effort also focuses on expanding the production of nutrient-rich rice-based food products, unlocking substantial opportunities in both domestic and international markets.
RBI Field Tour highlights BOU's efforts to improve farm efficiency
Did you know annual farm equipment repair and maintenance costs are more expensive than buying new ones? This is why the IRRI Breeding Operations Unit, led by Engr. Princess Lilia Dela Cruz, has taken important steps to review existing farm equipment and resource utilization to match the research needs and improve the overall resource management efficiency.
