The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an international agriculture research and training organization with its headquarters in Los Banos,Laguna in thePhilippines, and offices in seventeen countries.IRRI is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to theGreen Eevolution in the 1960s which preempted the famine in Asia. There are over 1,36,000 varieties of rice stored in the gene bank at the International Rice Research Institute. The Institute, located in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines, is working towards developing rice varieties that can withstand the effects of climate change.
The Institute, established in 1960 aims to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure enviormental sustainability of rice farming. It advances its mission through collaborative research, partnerships, and the strengthening of the national agricultural research and extension systems of the countries IRRI works in.
IRRI is well known for its contribution to the “Green Revolution” movement in Asia during the late 1960s and 1970s, which involved the breeding of “semi-dwarf” varieties of rice that were less likely to lodge (fall over). IRRI’s semi-dwarf varieties, including the famous IR8 saved India from famine in the 1960s. The varieties developed at IRRI, known as IR varieties, are well accepted in many Asian countries. In 2005, it was estimated that 60% of the world’s rice area was planted to IRRI-bred rice varieties or their progenies.
Credit : IRRI
Picture Credit : Google
