Overview

Southeast Asia (SEA) is renowned for its rich biodiversity, which plays a crucial role in the continent's agri-food systems. The region's temperate climate and fertile lands have fostered various ecosystem services, making it a significant production powerhouse and an essential player in global food supply and trade. The Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) industries are primary sources of employment in many SEA countries, accounting for 27.6% of the over 300 million workers in the region.

Rice plays a crucial role in the social, economic, and cultural development of each Southeast Asian country. Over the past 50 years, rice production has increased dramatically through crop intensification, where more produce is grown on the same amount of land. From 2014 to 2023, FAOSTAT recorded that Southeast Asia produced an average of 194 million tons of rice using approximately 45 million hectares of land. However, challenges are mounting as the steadily growing population has significantly increased rice consumption both in the region and worldwide. Furthermore, Southeast Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change, which poses a serious threat to global food and nutrition security.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) collaborates with various public and private sector partners in Asia to further its commitment to transforming food systems. Together with key partners in the region such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states, IRRI aims to contribute to the collective vision of a "competitive, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Food, Agriculture, and Forestry sector integrated with the global economy, based on a single market and production base contributing to food and nutrition security and prosperity in the ASEAN Community."

IRRI is dedicated to supporting Southeast Asia’s food, nutrition, and climate goals. The institution seeks to address the growing gap between rice supply and demand, helping nations meet their domestic needs while also prioritizing farmer livelihoods and rural development. As IRRI’s headquarters, the organization aims to contribute to the research and policy development of rice-based agri-food systems in SEA and to drive investments in innovations that promote sustainability and regional agricultural development.