LAGUNA, Philippines, 7 July 2025 — As digital agriculture tools continue to evolve, strengthening national partners’ scientific and technical capacities is crucial to ensuring their long-term effectiveness beyond the project's lifespan. To support this goal, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) organized a Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) Masterclass from 7 to 11 July 2025 at its headquarters in Los Baños, Philippines.

The SSNM Masterclass aimed to deepen the understanding of the scientific principles of SSNM and how those principles were used in developing the Rice Crop Manager (RCM), a digital decision-support tool that provides site-specific recommendations for nutrient and crop management. SSNM provides the foundation for RCM’s algorithms, enabling it to generate tailored fertilizer advice based on farmers’ rice production practices and field-level data. The training brought together participants from government partner agencies in Indonesia and the Philippines, underscoring IRRI’s commitment to building national capacities for sustainable and science-based nutrient management.

RCM has been widely scaled in both countries. In Indonesia, it is known as Layanan Konsultasi Padi (LKP), and it is being scaled through the RCM Indonesia Project, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea. In the Philippines, the Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS) has been formally transitioned to the Department of Agriculture (DA), with IRRI continuing to support national capacity-building efforts. The masterclass was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the agronomic principles and calculation methods used in RCM. “Building local capacity remains our central focus,” said Dr. Madonna Casimero, IRRI Senior Scientist for Agronomy. “We want partners to understand not just how to use the tool, but the science behind it.”

Led by Ms. Rowena Castillo, IRRI’s SSNM expert, the training used a combination of lectures, group discussions, and hands-on exercises. Topics included key concepts and practices on (1) estimating yield targets, (2) calculating fertilizer rates using nutrient balance and yield gain approaches, (3) managing major nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, (4) optimizing timing of nitrogen split applications, and (5) formulating field-level fertilizer recommendations.

Dr. Kazuki Saito, IRRI Senior Scientist and Research Unit Lead for Sustainable Soils, encouraged participants to fully engage with the training. “Take full advantage of this opportunity,” he said. “Only a few have mastered SSNM. Your participation brings this knowledge closer to the farmers who need it most.” Participants were expected not only to absorb the content but also to integrate and adapt the learnings into their respective research programs, extension activities, and policy frameworks.

The masterclass also served as a platform for cross-country knowledge exchange. Participants shared relevant programs and practices from their national contexts and expressed strong commitment to disseminate the knowledge gained with their colleagues and institutions.

Ms. Zaqiah M. Hikmah from Indonesia’s Badan Perakitan dan Modernisasi Pertanian (BRMP) Rice shared, “The masterclass helped me understand how SSNM can improve both productivity and sustainability. The tools and exercises were practical, and I feel more confident applying them in the field.”

From the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 3 (DA-RFO 3), Mr. Bryan R. Cruz reflected, “This knowledge from the SSNM Masterclass further enhanced my interest in developing research proposals on nutrient management for rice and other crops. Sharing this knowledge will also boost understanding and appreciation of RCM.”

A total of ten participants completed the training: six from Indonesia and four from the Philippines. The Indonesian participants represented BRMP Food Crops, BRMP Rice, BRMP Soil and Fertilizer, and the Directorate of Fertilizer. The Philippine participants came from the Research Divisions of DA-RFOs 1, 2, and 3 and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA).

LAGUNA, Philippines (13 May 2025) — IRRI emphasizes prevention and suppression at the recent International Technology Cooperation Center of the Rural Development Administration – Korea (ITCC- RDA) and IRRI training on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The 5-day training course aimed to introduce recent paradigm shifts in rice pest management, update participants on recent advances in management technologies, and assist them in the preparation and implementation of their localized IPM research plans.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable and effective management approach to controlling pests in agriculture by implementing a combination of scientific techniques and ecological knowledge such as pest biology and behavior. IPM was first introduced in the 1970’s to address the growing negative effects of pesticides in agriculture. “Rice will have to be produced, processed, and marketed in a more sustainable way.”, IRRI Scientist and Country Representative for Cambodia Dr. Nurmi Pangesti said as she explained how climate change is shaping ecosystems involved in global rice production.

28 June 2025 (BUJUMBURA, Burundi) — IRRI joins Burundi’s Diplomatic Week, bringing together over 200 diplomats representing the Burundian Government and diplomatic missions in the country. A major highlight of the engagement is a tour of IRRI’s regional crop improvement hub, where guests witnessed how IRRI significantly contributed to the vision of Burundi to become an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060. With the theme “Fruitful Partnership for an Emerging Burundi: Economic Diplomacy, the Driving Force of Sustainable and Inclusive Development”, IRRI was invited by Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation as a key partner, signaling the renewal of an even stronger partnership between the two institutions.

“Burundi, which aspires to become an emerging country by 2040 and a developed one by 2060, anchors this national vision largely on the modernization of agriculture, the development of human capital, and scientific innovation. IRRI plays a key role in this dynamic move by addressing the major challenges facing rice farming.”, stated Audace Manirambona, the Rector of the University of Burundi. “In partnership with the University of Burundi, where it is hosted, IRRI also contributes to training the next generation of scientists by supervising students during their internships and final year projects, thereby strengthening national capacities for sustainable and inclusive development.”, he added.

“Being a part of this year’s Diplomatic Week shows the alignment of IRRI and Burundi’s goals which is to achieve food, nutrition, and income security.”, said IRRI Regional Breeding Lead and Seed System and Product Management Lead for East and Southern Africa Dr. Ajay Panchbhai. He also highlighted the importance of the Host Country Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Burundi signed back in 2018. “This allowed us to position our Burundi Office as the regional crop improvement hub, which will significantly help us in our joint goal of transforming the future of rice-based agri-food systems in Africa.”

After the opening session, the delegation visited IRRI’s facilities at the Regional Crop Improvement Office located at the University of Burundi’s Faculty of Agronomy and Bio - Engineering (FABI). Herein, the visitors were introduced to IRRI’s ongoing works about breeding, agronomy, mechanization, plant pathology, capacity building and variety development with rapid generation enhancement systems as well as corporate services.

Burundi’s rice sector is facing challenges such as lack of high-performance varieties, low production, biotic and abiotic stresses, and overexploitation of available small land areas. “To address these challenges, IRRI-Burundi is developing approximately 50 rice elite breeding lines each year, including high-yielding lines that are resilient to the effects of climate change. Furthermore, from 2008 to the present day, 47,224 rice farmers have been trained in rice production and quality seed production technologies. In collaboration with the Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU), 19 new rice varieties have been released in Burundi and 17 others have been released in other African countries from the IRRI regional hub in Bujumbura”, shared IRRI Country Representative for Burundi, Dr. Ir. Joseph Bigirimana.

Bigirimana also mentioned that IRRI’s ongoing projects in Burundi such as Projet d’Appui au Développement des Chaînes de valeur de l’Agriculture et de l’Elevage au Burundi [Project Supporting the Development of Agricultural and Livestock Value Chains in Burundi], which is funded by the African Development Bank and the Projet d’Appui à l’Amélioration de la Riziculture en République du Burundi [Project Supporting the Improvement of Rice Cultivation in the Republic of Burundi], which is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are all manifestations of fruitful diplomatic partnerships and IRRI’s commitment to supporting the country’s development goals.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Ferdinand Bashikako, Ambassador of Belgium in Burundi (who represented the Diplomatic Corps) Michael Wimmer, and Dr. Ajay Panchbhai signed the IRRI – Burundi Office’s Livre d'Or [guestbook]. The full delegation consisted of members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Honorary Consuls of Burundi abroad, Representatives of Regional and International Organizations, and Heads of Cooperation Offices. The 2-day affair ended with a celebration of the 63rd Anniversary of the Republic of Burundi’s Independence.

Bushra Humaira

Dhaka, Bangladesh – In collaboration with CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships that promote the widespread adoption of rice-based innovations in Bangladesh. This includes initiatives such as the Cluster-based Farmer Field School model, Wife Husband Model, Dry-direct Seeded Rice, Nature-based soil fertility management, and Improved Fodder.

IRRI is actively engaging in a series of technical workshops and strategic meetings with crucial partners, including the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Agricultural Information Services (AIS), and the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). This collaborative effort is aimed at laying a solid foundation for transforming agricultural systems in Bangladesh, particularly in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions.

These initiatives are part of IRRI’s broader mission to identify effective pathways for scaling innovations. By demonstrating technologies and aligning with national development priorities, building institutional capacity, and shaping inclusive policies, we hope to address the pressing challenges of climate change. As these challenges intensify, especially in the vulnerable coastal areas of Bangladesh, the timely scaling of appropriate innovations is becoming increasingly critical.

Strategic Partnerships to Unlock Systemic Change

As Bangladesh continues to grapple with the pressures of climate change and eco-system degradation, coastal region of the country has seen an increase in salinity and natural disasters. To tackle this, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is extending its efforts to ensure that agricultural innovations and reach the fields where they are needed most.

In Bangladesh, IRRI is a part of Scaling for Impact, CGIAR’s program fully dedicated to scaling food, land, and water innovations, is driving this change by linking science to systemic, inclusive impact.

IRRI and PKSF: Building a Pathway for Scalable Innovation

In a recent knowledge-sharing workshop held in Dhaka, IRRI, in collaboration with PKSF,  a national institution dedicated to poverty alleviation and sustainable development, brought together researchers from CGIAR centers under Scaling for Impact Program, including IRRI, CIMMYT, and CIP, to present a portfolio of scalable agricultural innovations. 

The workshop aimed to explore collaborative avenues to integrate innovations into PKSF’s existing and planned projects, particularly those in climate-affected southern regions of Bangladesh. 

“We see significant potential in these innovations,” noted Mr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy General Manager (Program), PKSF. “There is scope to integrate them into our projects like Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP), Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART), especially in the coastal belt.” 

Presentations showcased a diverse array of technologies and approaches, including: 

• Community-coordinated agronomic innovations for coastal polders from Dr. Manoranjan Mondal, IRRI 
• Digital agriculture solutions tailored for Bangladesh from T.S. Amjath Babu, CIMMYT 
• Diversified cropping systems and compost-based soil improvement from Dr. Sharif Ahmed, IRRI 
• Zero-tillage potato cultivation in the south from Ebna Rahaman, CIP 
• Policy recommendations for climate-smart water management from Dr. Ahmad Salahuddin, IRRI 

Discussions led to several key outcomes such as renewed commitment to develop a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IRRI and PKSF and exploration of a joint project proposal aligned with PKSF’s development goals.

“To achieve durable and inclusive change, we must go beyond research and engage deeply with national actors,” said Dr. Ahmad Salahuddin, IRRI. “These platforms allow us to co-develop scalable models aligned with policy, infrastructure, and local needs.”

Aligning Science with Systems: Workshops with DAE

IRRI also organized a technical workshop with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Khulna, focusing on critical challenges such as soil degradation, salinity, and water management in coastal polders. The event featured valuable insights from DAE Additional Secretary Mr. Md Zakir Hossain and Deputy Commissioner Ms. Sharmin Akter Jahan.

The workshop was inaugurated by Md. Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of DAE, Khulna Region. Technical sessions began with a presentation outlining the historical and current conditions of polders, rivers, canals, and sluice gates in the Khulna region.

The IRRI team, Dr. Manoranjan Mondal, Dr. Sharif Ahmed, and Dr. Ahmad Salahuddin, presented rice-based innovations tailored to the coastal context.

Following their presentations, sessions explored the integration of oilseed crops, maize, pulses, spices, and horticultural crops into sustainable cropping patterns suited to the region. Regional representatives from DAE, the Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI), and the Horticulture Department also shared various innovative practices relevant to local conditions.

Discussions throughout the workshop highlighted the importance of crop diversification, building resilience to climate stressors, and maximizing land productivity through strategic and adaptive crop planning.

Leveraging AIS to Drive National-Level Dissemination

Recognizing the power of information, IRRI also convened a planning meeting with the Agricultural Information Services (AIS) to discuss leveraging AIS’s digital and print platforms for national-level dissemination of rice-based innovations. The focus was on aligning IRRI’s scaling ambitions with AIS’s outreach infrastructure, ensuring that research-backed practices can reach farmers in a language and format they understand.

Participants from both institutions discussed building a collaborative roadmap, co-creating digital content, and providing capacity-building workshops for AIS extension agents. There was strong agreement to jointly publish a special edition of Krishi Katha which has a readership of 80,000 farmers and extension officers featuring IRRI’s innovations and to formalize the partnership through an MoU.

Toward a Transformative Vision

IRRI is partnering with institutions to drive science-based, systemic change that will improve farmers’ livelihoods, boost food security, and advance Bangladesh’s climate resilience goals. By connecting innovations to policy, digital tools, and extension services, IRRI will create stronger, more coordinated efforts that deliver impact at scale.

Through the Scaling for Impact program, IRRI is reaching millions, strengthening local institutions, and enabling institutional environment to pursue policies that are inclusive, practical, and transformative. These partnerships are expected to give IRRI Bangladesh an opportunity to be prepared for a long-term program for scaling innovation with support from a community of leading actors in agricultural research and development.

Seed supply planning in Bangladesh has faced several challenges over the years, including reliance on manual processes, fragmented data, and a tendency for reactive decision-making. These factors can often lead to mismatches between the availability of seeds and the actual demand from farmers, resulting in shortages of quality seeds or the distribution of varieties that may not be ideal for local conditions. Furthermore, the growing risks associated with climate change add additional pressure on productivity and resilience for farmers.

To effectively address these challenges, it’s important to consider innovative approaches to seed distribution. We recognize the need for systems that prioritize anticipation over reaction, utilizing real-time data while taking into account the changing varietal preferences of farmers, diverse agroecological zones, and the effects of climate variability. This calls for the development of tools that can accurately gather location-specific insights and incorporate them into national seed planning frameworks.

In a spirit of collaboration, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), the World Bank, the Agency Program Coordination Unit (APCU), and the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition Entrepreneurship and Resilience (PARTNER) are working together with IRRI to launch a digital seed demand forecasting initiative. This initiative aims to shift from traditional paper-based forecasting methods to a more data-driven and participatory system that can enhance timely, demand-aligned, and climate-smart seed supply.

Caption: IRRI and BADC officials in the MoU signing ceremony at IRRI Bangladesh office

This partnership between IRRI and BADC is focused on creating an innovative digital platform designed to collect feedback from farmers, seed dealers, and other stakeholders. By integrating this feedback with agro-climatic data, the aim is to produce predictive insights that align ground realities with institutional planning. Through this collaboration, IRRI and BADC are working together to ensure that the right seeds are delivered to the appropriate locations at the right time. This initiative is intended to empower farmers and enhance the overall resilience of Bangladesh's rice production system.

Dr. Swati Nayak, South Asia Lead for Seed Systems and Product Management and Global Nodal for Inclusive Delivery at IRRI, stated, "Digitizing seed demand forecasting represents more than just a technical enhancement; it signifies a transformation in how Bangladesh approaches the planning, production, and delivery of seeds to farmers. With this tool, we aspire to establish a transparent, efficient, and inclusive seed system that genuinely addresses the evolving needs and demands of farmers while supporting food security."

The strategic objectives were further solidified during an inception workshop held in Dhaka on June 26, 2025, where over 50 experts, policymakers, and stakeholders came together to collaborate on strategies for building and scaling the platform. The event prioritized co-creation and consensus-building, with valuable contributions from participants representing the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), seed companies, millers, and farmer groups, all offering essential insights to guide the initiative.

Highlighting the essential objectives of the project, Md. Ruhul Amin Khan, Director General of BADC, shared, "With this tool, our goal is to create resilient systems that effectively address the needs of farmers and align with our national food security objectives. This tool allows us to accurately capture real demand by considering factors such as location, climate, probability, and farmer preferences. By including informal seed actors and taking a grassroots approach, we can enhance our planning accuracy and respond more effectively during climate shocks."

The project will be implemented in phases. The first phase encompasses conducting gap assessments, engaging in stakeholder consultations, and collaboratively developing a working prototype. IRRI will extend technical support to ensure the tool meets the needs of Bangladesh’s evolving seed system and serves as a vital platform that links field-level realities with national policy.