How Can IRRI Support its Partners in Responding to the Rice Crisis

1. How Can IRRI Support its Partners in Responding to the Rice Crisis?

2. The food crisis is the result of specific failures in specific locations, for specific causes – usually weather or technology…… Conceptually, the idea of a sudden “food crisis” is misleading. James Moomaw, 1976

3. Slowdown in yield growth rates in areas with early adoption of Green Revolution technologies

4. 4th EPMR Review of IRRI, 1992 In response to unexplained yield declines/yield stagnation: “…IRRI lead a major research effort, enlisting the best talents available in the world, to seek solutions for this complex of problems – a task that may take a decade or longer to complete.” (and $50 million)

5. World rice production and price, 1960-2008

6. Production needs to increase at a rate of 0.8-1% during the next 15-20 years, but the rice area is unlikely to increase substantially because most drivers of change work against that. We need to de-couple rice production growth from area growth.Production needs to increase at a rate of 0.8-1% during the next 15-20 years, but the rice area is unlikely to increase substantially because most drivers of change work against that. We need to de-couple rice production growth from area growth.

8. Immediate needs: In each of the next 10 years produce 10 million tons rice more than in the previous year Small increase in harvested area Re-vitalize global annual rice yield growth to >50 kg/ha/year

9. Responding to the “rice crisis” in Asia An agronomic revolution to reduce existing yield gaps Accelerate the delivery of new post-harvest technologies Accelerate the adoption of higher yielding rice varieties Strengthen rice breeding pipelines for deveoping new varieties Tap the vast reservoir of untapped genetic resources New generation of rice scientists and researchers for the public and private sectors Increase public investment in agricultural infrastructures Reform policy to improve the efficiency of marketing systems for both inputs and outputs Strengthen food safety nets for the poor

10. What can IRRI contribute? NARES, the private sector, and CSOs must lead these efforts – and mobilize the bulk of resources needed IRRI can play a key role in accelerating the development of new products, facilitating their delivery, in capacity building, and in policy research. This does not question the priorities set in our SP, but requires additional resources that must be carefully mobilized and absorbed. Strengthen R&D at IRRI Technical backstopping for NARES Bilateral or regional projects Clear exit strategy

11. Geographical focus for bilateral activities? Countries with high food security risk (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, China, India) Countries with potential to export more rice or become net exporters again (Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand) Countries that grow little rice and rely on imports (SSA)

12. Responding to the “rice crisis” in Asia An agronomic revolution to reduce existing yield gaps Accelerate the delivery of new post-harvest technologies Accelerate the adoption of higher yielding rice varieties Strengthen rice breeding pipelines for deveoping new varieties Tap the vast reservoir of untapped genetic resources New generation of rice scientists and researchers for the public and private sectors Increase public investment in agricultural infrastructures Reform policy to improve the efficiency of marketing systems for both inputs and outputs Strengthen food safety nets for the poor

13. 1 – Agronomic revolution Reduce existing yield gaps (1-2 t/ha) through better crop management practices Irrigated and favorable rainfed environments Integrate disciplinary R&D breakthroughs into practical solutions for local adaptation Characterization of rice environments for extension targeting Policy research Understand, design, and facilitate more effective research-extension pathways Resources: Outreach Team: 7 new IRS + support (extension, HQ and regional) Extension & extension capacity building

14. 2 – Delivery of post-harvest technologies Reduce grain losses (10-20%) & improve grain/seed quality Many environments Understand, design, and facilitate research-extension pathways and business plans Resources: Postharvest Team: 2 new IRS + support Capacity building Country projects

15. 3 – Accelerate adoption of new rice varieties Prevent “erosion” of yield potential - varieties adapted to current environments Enhance germplasm exchange and variety testing and information systems New networks for Participatory Variety Selection Faster flow of new varieties into seed systems Resources: 2 new IRS + support Capacity building

16. 4 – Strengthen breeding pipelines (Pre-) breeding of elite lines Improved screening Upgrades (abiotic and biotic stresses – MAS) Sharing of special genetic stocks with NARES Resources: 7 new IRS + support (4 for breeding + 3 for supporting disciplines) Additional NRS to re-build strength in existing programs Shuttle breeding with NARES Capital investments at IRRI

17. 5 – Tapping genetic resources Learn more about the other 90% Data accuracy and management Molecular characterization, allele mining and phenotyping Collection of new germplasm Resources: 2 IRS + support Oryza-SNP consortium Phenotyping network

18. 6 – New generation of rice scientists Generation gap in NARES – lack of qualified scientist for private sector Need a new generation of rice scientists: excellent, well-rounded experts Global Rice Science Scholarship to mold future leaders Thesis/sandwich PhD with full support Special leadership training Resources: 1 IRS + support 30 PhD scholarships/year

20. Price tag For the next 5 (10) years: 21 new IRS at IRRI and in the region Support & GOC Extension Capacity building (some of our) research infrastructure needs $16-17 million/yr in addition to IRRI’s current annual budget

21. First opportunities ADB project: $2M/year for 5 years Planthoppers & viruses Postharvest technologies Rice Program Plan for the Philippines 2008 WS campaign on nutrient management 2009-2010 R&D allocations for rice (PHP580 M/year) Collaborative effort (DA, PhilRice, IRRI)

22. Steps Panel discussion, April 29 Staff feedback to PL, May 5 PL feedback to DDG-R, May 6 Finalize & edit, May 7-8 Final discussion in IPC, May 9