Annual Report 2011
The Annual Report 2011 highlights the distinctive contributions and accomplishments of the Institute. IRRI establishes that the true glycemic index of rice that makes it healthier than previously thought. Along with its partners, it is revisiting Africa’s agricultural mechanization and testing new sustainable and eco-friendly rice production techniques for Asian farmers. It created an action plan to help combat pest problems. And plant breeders are using MAGIC to produce rice varieties that can thrive under every conceivable inhospitable condition. These and other IRRI research thrusts, major events and activities in 2011 are covered in detail.
An update from the Director General
What’s important—our reputation and our people
A healthy serving of rice
A healthy serving of rice
Rice has received a bad rap for its high glycemic index (GI). Foods with a high GI have been associated with increased risk of type-2 diabetes because they are rapidly digested and can cause marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. In 2011, IRRI research revealed that the GI of rice actually varied widely depending on the type of rice. In fact, on average, rice has a medium GI. This is good news for consumers with health problems who can now choose the right rice that can be safely incorporated into their regular diet.
Running on rice residue
Running on rice residue
In Asia, more than 700 million tons of rice straw and husks produced annually from rice farms end up as waste. Since farmers have shifted largely to mineral fertilizers, crop residues are often just wasted, producing large quantities of the greenhouse gas methane. As part of its efforts to make food production cleaner and greener, IRRI is finding ways to turn what is unwanted into a renewable source of energy.
Nurturing Nepal's jagged edge
Nurturing Nepal's jagged edge
The rough, formidable terrain of Nepal has hindered the introduction of modern agricultural technology, particularly in rice production, resulting in minimal gains for subsistence farmers. IRRI and its partners are helping improve the productivity of these fragmented plots through better rice varieties and nutrient management practices.
Gaining grains
Gaining grains
Losses occur at all stages of rice production. In Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, postharvest losses can reach 30%. By working with those who provide farmers with technical and business support to adopt new and promising postharvest technologies, IRRI is strengthening the final link in the value chain. And everyone benefits from every grain gained.
The green menace
The green menace
Problems are like weeds, according to an ancient proverb: the more you ignore them, the faster they grow. And, when the problem is weeds, it’s not only extremely frustrating but weeds pose a serious threat to rice cultivation and can cause up to 100% yield reduction. For IRRI, the challenge is to develop a holistic set of weapons that will help Asian farmers fight the war against the green menace.
Putting the social into science
Putting the social into science
IRRI’s “social science databank” paints a clear picture of how the growing adoption of modern rice production technology is changing socioeconomic and livelihood conditions—including the growing role of women across Bangladesh. Containing household studies collected over the past 25 years, it provides researchers with a glimpse into the kind of societies being created by agricultural modernization.
Rewriting rice’s future
Rewriting rice's future
Modern agriculture is part solution and part problem. The surge in rice productivity resulting from the Green Revolution averted widespread famines and kept food prices stable. But, it has also led to unintended consequences: declining natural resources and environmental pollution. IRRI is currently using novel experimental research platforms to achieve a crucial balance between profitability and productivity while making rice production sustainable and eco-friendly.
Rice tailor-made for Africa
Rice tailor-made for Africa
Although African farmers are no strangers to IRRI-bred rice, many continue to rely on varieties developed as far back as three decades ago. These varieties have not only been superseded by newer generations of rice varieties; they were actually developed for Asian conditions. For the first time ever, rice varieties bred by IRRI especially for Africa were released in 2011.
Jump-starting Africa's stalled farm machines
Jump-starting Africa's stalled farm machines
Agricultural mechanization has been responsible for massively increasing production, productivity, and profitability. It is also an important factor that improves the lives of small farmers. However, previous attempts at introducing machines to African farmers were not always successful. IRRI, AfricaRice, and their partners are now turning to holistic programs that ensure sustainable, affordable mechanization suitable to the scale of operations and skills of the small farmers of Africa.
Lean, mean drying machine
Lean, mean drying machine
Proper drying prevents insect infestation and maintains the quality of harvested rice in storage. The challenge lies in developing simple and inexpensive drying technologies that are faster and more efficient than traditional ways, and works effectively under diverse conditions and settings. IRRI’s effort to introduce Vietnamese-designed flat-bed dryers to countries across Southeast Asia reached new heights in 2011 and is proving to be a big help to farmers.
Rice on the rise in the Mekong Delta
Rice on the rise in the Mekong Delta
An innovative program in the thriving rice sector of An Giang, Vietnam, promotes less aggressive agricultural practices using lower inputs and creating reduced environmental pollution. In 2011, just three years after its launch, the collaborative venture between IRRI and the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has demonstrated that farmers, exporters, and the environment can all benefit from using best practices in the production of irrigated rice.
Growing nature’s army
Growing nature's army
Left on its own, nature has enough predatory species to limit the population of and the crop damage caused by insect pests to a minimum. But the misuse of pesticides kills off these beneficial species and tips the balance heavily in favor of major pests such as rice planthoppers. In 2011, IRRI launched an action plan to stop devastating planthopper outbreaks by focusing on nurturing nature’s army of pest killers and reducing the use of pesticides.
Green MAGIC
Green MAGIC
What if a rice plant possessed all the traits crucial for it to thrive under every conceivable inhospitable condition? This may sound too good to be true, but a team of IRRI scientists had an elaborate game plan to breed stress-proof rice using MAGIC—multiparent advanced generation intercross.
Milestones
Milestones
This section covers significant events and activities in 2011 at IRRI’s headquarters and around the world, VIP visits, media coverage, and awards and recognition during a very busy year.
