Rice helps feed almost half the planet on a daily basis, employs tens of millions in jobs they cannot live without, and has an enormous impact on our environment. In recognition of this, rice production has been described as the world’s single most important economic activity and the United Nations has declared 2004 the International Year of Rice (IYR). 

To help provide solutions to the many challenges facing the rice industry, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is organizing the World Rice Research Conference on 4-7 November 2004 in Tokyo (opening symposium with keynote speeches) and Tsukuba (scientific symposia).

The World Rice Research Conference (WRRC) will be the most important scientific event of the International Year of Rice, providing the latest research information on a wide range of rice-related issues such as international food security, poverty alleviation, and the environment. The WRRC will bring together the world’s leading rice researchers and scientists to exchange information on the latest breakthroughs and ideas that could benefit the world’s millions of rice farmers and consumers, and develop improved livelihoods. 

Such knowledge will be vital in helping the international community achieve the UN’s Millennium Development Goals because of the huge numbers of poor that depend on rice not only for food security but also for their livelihoods. Led by MAFF, the WRRC will feature the very latest rice research from all over the world, including collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).