What is IRRI's research agenda?

IRRI’s research agenda has developed in line with major global changes. Our Strategic Plan 2007-2015 reflects the latest priorities.

Our goals
1.  Reduce poverty through improved and diversified rice-based systems.

2.  Ensure that rice production is sustainable and stable, has minimal negative environmental impact, and can cope with climate change.

3. Improve the nutrition and health of poor rice consumers and rice farmers.

4. Provide equitable access to information and knowledge on rice and help develop the next generation of rice scientists.

5. Provide rice scientists and producers with the genetic information and material they need to develop improved technologies and enhance rice production.

Each of these goals is designed to contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which provide a focus for global efforts to help the world’s poorest. The Strategic Plan also marked an important shift. Where our traditional aim was to “fill the world’s rice bowl,” our focus now is on overcoming poverty—sustainably filling the wallets and purses of poor rice farmers and consumers.

In intellectual property, our aim is to pursue a policy that provides all our stakeholders with the access they need to materials and information to promote the development and use of new research technologies, while respecting the intellectual property rights of others.

For information on recent research progress, click here. For information about IRRI's new seven-program medium-term plan (MTP) for 2007-2009, click here. 

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