India: Coromandel joins IRRI to advance rice technologies

Coromandel International Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for cooperation in promoting and disseminating improved rice research technologies in India.

The technologies covered in the agreement will help improve all aspects of rice cultivation, including seed quality, nutrient and crop management, water management, farm machinery, and postharvest processing.

“The MOU between IRRI and Coromandel is a landmark partnership between a global center of excellence for rice research and a farm solutions company with the widest reach in the principal rice-growing areas of India,” said Kapil Mehan, managing director of Coromandel. “This partnership will facilitate the introduction of world-class rice production technologies in India for improving yield and quality, which, in turn, will lead to higher incomes for rice farmers and increased quality rice production in the country.”

Coromandel International Limited is a manufacturer of fertilizers and crop protection products and has a major presence in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal that, together, contribute to more than half of India’s rice production. It has 640 retail stores in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka that give it direct access to more than 2 million farmers.

The partnership with IRRI will allow Coromandel to bring state-of-the art rice production technologies and best practices to rice farmers in India through its extensive network.

"IRRI has many partners in India who have helped ensure widespread adoption of valuable technologies such as flood-proof scuba rice, which have helped Indian farmers produce more rice even in adverse conditions to stimulate economic development across the nation,"  said Robert Zeigler, director general of IRRI.

"Our new partnership with Coromandel fosters a new type of relationship with the private sector in India to advance our research in new and more dynamic ways through Coromandel's on-ground presence and direct interaction with farmers," Dr. Zeigler continues. "With Coromandel, we are looking forward to reaching more farmers and spreading the benefits of the best in rice science even further to reduce poverty and improve environmental outcomes." 



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Landbank offers agriculture scholarships for Filipino students

LandBank President and CEO Gilda Pico (4th from left)
receives a certificate of appreciation from
IRRI Deputy Director General for Communication and
Partnerships V. Bruce J. Tolentino (4th from right).

A scholarship program was recently launched for dependents of small farmers and fisherfolk in 'agricultural communities undergoing change.'

The deed of donation for the scholarship was signed by officials of the Landbank of the Philippines (Landbank), a financial institution of the Philippine government, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on 23 April 2013 at the Landbank Plaza in Malate, Manila.

The scholarship program, called Gawad Pag-aaral Tungo sa Maunlad na Bayan or Gawad-PATNUBAY, offers grants to 50 scholars—28 for college degrees scholarship in agriculture and 22 for TESDA-certified technical-vocational education program.

Each scholar is entitled to a 100% tuition fee subsidy, a monthly stipend, a book allowance, and a uniform allowance. He/she will also receive employment assistance upon graduation.

Landbank provided the funds for the scholarship program, which IRRI will administer.

Five universities are initially covered in the program, which will be implemented starting June 2014. These are the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Central Luzon State University, Visayas State University, Central Mindanao University, and University of Southern Mindanao. More partner schools will be added to the program.

Recognizing IRRI's training track record and extensive network with educational institutions nationwide, Landbank chose the Institute to implement the program that aims to stabilize the declining number of agriculture graduates.

“We are grateful to have IRRI as our implementing partner for the college scholarship program. We are confident that through this program, we can help provide a solid base of education for the next generation of rice scientists and agri-preneurs and infuse much-needed fresh blood into the country’s agriculture and cooperative,” said Gilda Pico, Landbank president and CEO.

V. Bruce J. Tolentino, IRRI’s deputy director general for communication and partnerships, cited the 'shared history' between IRRI and Landbank. Both were founded in the 1960s and share the same vision of combating poverty and food insecurity.

“We are moved by the same innovation for public good—innovation that is exemplified and actualized through education,” Dr. Tolentino said.

The Landbank donation comes during the Philippines' National Year of Rice, set aside by the government to celebrate Filipino rice farmers and ensure the ongoing development of the Philippines’ rice sector through the education of the next generation of rice scientists and agricultural experts.

~

Related stories:
Landbank, IRRI launch scholarship program for agriculture (PIA)
GLandbank offers college scholarship grants to agriculture students nationwide (GMA News)


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Indonesia: CURE steering committee meets in Lombok

Seventy-five participants from ten countries attended the twelfth annual review and steering committee meeting of the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE) on 23-25 April 2013 in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province. 

West Nusa Tenggara is the home of Gogo Rancha (GORA) or dry direct-seeded rice, which saved farmers from famine in the early 1990s.

Abdul Haris, representing the governor of the province, welcomed the participants and acknowledged the important role of CURE in addressing the effect of drought on rice production in the province

CURE is coordinated by David Johnson, senior scientist and head of IRRI's Crop and Environmental Sciences Division.

Ganesh Thapa, senior economist at the Internation Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Asia Pacific Region, said that investments are needed in sustainable areas, with a focus on smallholder farmers. "IFAD’s commitment to save poor farmers and help raise livelihoods is realized with its partnership with institutions of research excellence like IRRI."

A mini-symposium, held alongside the meeting, tackled Indonesia's efforts as the country tries to deliver its commitments to CURE through its own national programs. It sought to address issues and concerns of farming communities in Indonesia’s stress-prone areas. Solutions were sought specifically on developing appropriate germplasm and integrated crop and natural resource management for sub-optimal rice ecosystems in Indonesia. 


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Genomics professor is guest in researchers lunch

Thomas Mitchell-Olds (third from right),
with some of IRRI's young scientists.

Thomas Mitchell-Olds, professor at the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy at Duke University in the U.S., was the guest during the Young Researchers Lunch for April.

Dr. Mitchell-Olds discussed his approach to data analysis, in which he considers multiple traits together in order to see genetic differences better. He also gave the young scientists on the table tips for applying in US universities.

April participants were Margaret Anne Pelayo, Corinne Mira Marfori-Nazarea, Alex Grondin, Swe Zin Myint Thein, Dennis Nicuh Lozada, and Aye Min.

The Young Researchers Lunch is a monthly meeting of IRRI scientists who are in the early stages of their career. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for discussions with senior scientists on a range of topics on science and career paths.


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Emergency preparedness training held for local residents

The Neighborhood Emergency Services Team (NEST) training, a set of lectures and drills on disaster management and emergency preparedness, was held for the tenth time by IRRI's Host Country and Community Relations Office (HCCRO)—this time, for 18 volunteers from barangays Bayog and Mayondon in Los Baños, Laguna.

The 5-day (22-26 April) training course aimed to impart preparedness and response before, during, and after a disaster. Specific topics were first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, bleeding management, shock management, fire safety, earthquake safety, light search and rescue, water safety, and counter-terrorism. Participants went through disaster simulation to test their acquired knowledge.

“Every barangay encounters different kinds of emergency situations. The question is: is everyone ready and well-informed when faced with such situations? Most likely not,” said Ardith Yangzon of the Emergency Research Center, Incorporated (ERCI). She is one of the NEST facilitators.

The NEST training was not only conducted for free; the barangays were also supplied with a complete first aid kit and spine board.

“The NEST training is very helpful, especially in a flood-prone area such as ours,” said Rommel Ilagan, barangay administrator of San Antonio, Bay, a NEST-trained barangay. Residents of San Antonio were able to apply their emergency preparedness skills when Typhoon Habagat passed over the province in 2012.

The HCCRO organized the activity with IRRI's Safety and Security Services, using funds from the United Parcel Service (UPS) and in cooperation with the ERCI, which provided NEST facilitators.

The next NEST training will be held on 27-31 May at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna.



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Second medical mission held in local barangay

The second medical mission and community health education activity for 2013 was held at Barangay San Antonio in Los Baños, Laguna, on 25 April.

About a thousand residents, mostly persons with disabilities (PWD),  infants, and children, came to receive free check-ups, medicines, vitamins, and health counseling.

Most of the medicines given away were donated by the United Laboratories (UNILAB) or funded by IRRI.

Gardenia Bakeries Philippines, Inc., also donated loaves of bread in various flavors that were distributed to patients and PWDs.

Three medical doctors from the Army General Hospital in Taguig City came for the mission, which was requested by PWDs of Barangay San Antonio from barangay officials.

The activity was organized by IRRI's Host Country and Community Relations Office.


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Physiology lab re-opens

IRRI's old "Rainbow Lab" has been refurbished into the more efficient and modern Physiology Laboratory, thanks to funding from the Australian government.

The Physiology Lab, built as a communal facility, was inaugurated on 19 April 2013 in a small ceremony led by David Johnson, head of the Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) that houses the lab.

The lab now features a compartment each for 'wet' (physiochemical and molecular work) and 'dry' (plant processing and phenotyping measurements) lab work.

Funding for the renovation was secured through the efforts of Bas Bouman, former CESD head and now GRiSP director. The renovation was overseen by Abdel Ismail, who issued guidelines for use of the lab during the inauguration. 


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