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
NARES and IRRI advance market-driven varieties and accelerate adoption of new rice varieties in Africa
The 2024 NARES-IRRI Joint Advancement Meeting in Zanzibar, Tanzania, reaffirmed a shared commitment to tackling food security challenges in East and Southern Africa (ESA). Hosted by the Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the meeting served as a platform to assess progress, exchange insights, and develop actionable strategies to enhance rice breeding lines and seed systems in the region.
IRRI-led consortium advancing direct seeded rice convenes with Phase 3 launch
The Direct Seeded Rice Consortium (DSRC) held its Phase III soft launch through an online meeting last January 27, bringing together DSRC members and stakeholders across rice research, development, and the private sector to move forward the consortium’s plans for expanding direct seeded rice solutions across Asia and Africa.
Building Resilient Food Systems for Odisha’s Smallholders Through Convergence and Innovation
In Odisha, the eastern state of India, smallholder farmers are adapting and mitigating the challenges of drought through a unique collaborative effort by IRRI and the State Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment. Supported through the Odisha State Disaster Management fund, the “Dynamics of Drought and Its Impact and Mitigation Options for Smallholder Farmers in Odisha” project opens new dimensions of integrating tailored mitigation strategies, innovation bundling, and a multi-stakeholder convergence model to help build resilience and promote behavioral change within farming communities.
IRRI Seed Health 2024 workshop: Strengthening seed health networks for safe and effective movement across SEA and SA
The Rice Breeding Innovations (RBI) Seed Health and Logistics Unit of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in collaboration with partner National Plant Protection Organization (NPPOs), held the 2024 Seed Health Workshop at IRRI Headquarters in the Philippines.
