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 engaged in the development of market segments and product concepts, development of relative maturity system, product management, development of multilocation testing networks in collaboration with NARES partners. It utilizes a unified breeding strategy, dubbed as '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 implementation of 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 Unit based at IRRI prior to subjecting them for 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
Farmers Field Day promotes high-yield rice varieties and climate-smart agronomy to increase the productivity and income of Kenyan farmers
07 February 2024 (HOMA BAY COUNTY, Kenya) –The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) held a Farmers’ Field Day at the Oluch Kimira Rice Irrigation Scheme in Homa Bay County, Kenya on 7 February to upscale the adoption of high-yielding rice varieties and climate-smart agronomy for increasing the productivity income, and food security of Kenyan farmers.
Impact of rural outmigration on women and women empowerment through entrepreneurship discussed at Krushi Odisha 2024
(14 January 2024) Women empowerment through agro-entrepreneurship and the impact of rural outmigration on the livelihood of rural households and the women who are left behind were featured at the 2024 Krushi Odisha in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
IRRI develops first speed breeding protocol for rice
VARANASI, INDIA, 18 December 2023 – Scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) developed a robust, first ever speed breeding protocol for rice that will achieve 4 to 5 crops of rice in one year - almost double of what has been possible in breeding programs until now. This protocol will be important to accelerate breeding new improved varieties of rice to cope with climate change and the needs of a growing world population.
Ensuring quality seed supply of improved rice varieties for West Kenya smallholder farmers
KIBOS, KENYA — In its continued efforts to strengthen the rice sector in Kenya, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) donated a seed dresser to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). This is considered a game-changing initiative that has the potential not only to boost quality seed supply but also trigger the overall growth of the rice value chain in western Kenya. The turnover event was attended by IRRI scientists Dr. Sankalp Bhosale, Deputy Head of Rice Breeding Innovations.
ISARC annual rice varietal cafeteria features 36 promising new varieties for Uttar Pradesh farmers
VARANASI, INDIA, November 23 - The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) hosted the Annual Rice Varietal Cafeteria Evaluation to provide farmers and other stakeholders a platform to observe, assess, and select the best varieties that fit their needs.
Entrepreneurs develop a roadmap for public and private companies to work together to strengthen the seed system in Assam
GUWAHATI, INDIA, 20 November 2023 — The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) organized Strengthening Seed Ecosystem: Empowering Seed Entrepreneurs of Assam, a workshop to recognize the challenges faced by its seed entrepreneurs and explore possible solutions to strengthen the state’s seed system.
Achievements of Indian rice research and IRRI partnership showcased at IRC 2023
Manila, Philippines (18 October 2023) ~ The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) showcased the many accomplishments of Indian scientists and agencies in advancing rice science and rice sector development during a special session in the recent 6th International Rice Congress (IRC).
A revolution in rice production: Bayer advocates for regenerative agriculture practices like direct seeding of rice
Manila, Philippines (October 16, 2023) – Collaborative action and advancement of direct-seeded rice can be an important solution for food security and climate change challenges facing the world, according to Michael Graham, head of Bayer’s Crop Science Research and Development Breeding Division, in his keynote speech on the first day of the 6th International Rice Congress.
IRRI scientist honored with Borlaug Field Award for her work on farmer engagement and empowerment
LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES (September 19, 2023) – International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) scientist Dr. Swati Nayak – a highly accomplished researcher known for her pivotal role in engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, from testing and deployment to access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties – has been honored as the recipient of the 2023 Borlaug Field Award by the esteemed selection jury of the World Food Prize.
IRRI receives Google support to apply AI for climate resilient rice development
LOS BANOS, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES (Sept. 12, 2023) – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is receiving 2 million USD in grant funding from Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, to harness the power of Artificial intelligence (AI) towards fast-tracking the development and deployment of high-yielding, climate-resilient rice varieties to sustain and increase rice production in the face of climate change..
Training on modern breeding concepts and tools enhances capacity of AFACI member countries
(Los Baños, PHILIPPINES, 11 September 2023) The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) conducted a training on Modern breeding concepts and tools to enhance the capacities of NARES partners in 10 AFACI-member countries on 7-9 September 2023 at IRRI headquarters in the Philippines.
IRRI South East Asia NARES and AFACI Member Countries convene to identify promising rice varieties for future release
(Los Baños, PHILIPPINES, 11 September 2023) - In collaboration with the Rural Development Administration and the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI), Philippine Department of Agriculture, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) hosted the first joint meeting between the IRRI Breeding...
NARES- IRRI breeding network’s Annual Joint Advancement Meeting strengthens rice sector collaboration in East and Southern Africa
(DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, 4 September 2023)- The National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) - International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) breeding network organized an Annual Joint Advancement Meeting for East and Southern Africa (ESA) on 28-30 August in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, in a strategic effort to strengthen the rice sector across the region.
IRRI researchers won Best Poster at the 27th FPSAP Scientific Conference
Researchers from the International Rice Research Institute’s Rice Genetic Design and Validation Unit received the Best Poster for Crop Physiology Award during the 27th FPSAP Scientific Conference “Innovative Plant Solutions for a Sustainable and Climate-Smart Agriculture”, held on 27 August- 1 September 2023, Princesa Garden Island Resort, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
