DA,IRRI join forces to boost rice productivity

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have joined hands to increase productivity in the country’s rice industry.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and IRRI Director General Matthew Morell on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Scientific and Technical Collaboration in support of enhancing the Philippine Rice Industry Competitiveness.

“The initiatives in this agreement that we work to collaborate with the DA would include new innovations, the development and dissemination of improved rice varieties that are high-yielding, climate-smart and resistant to pests and diseases,” Morell said in the press conference relative to the signing of the MOU.

He noted that both agencies had released over 320 rice varieties suited for the country, particularly in rainfed and upland areas. This development, Morell said, has helped farmers increase yield by up to 0.4 metric tons (MT) per hectare, translating to an additional $110 in income.

Morell said IRRI was also poised on expanding its education courses to provide science and fieldwork courses as well as leadership programs to support decision-making in the Philippine agriculture sector.

He added about 600 Filipino farmer-students had studied at IRRI in collaboration with Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and DA’s training arm Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

He said the IRRI was looking forward to strengthening its partnership with the DA and accelerating its contribution to the Philippines’ effort in facing continuing population growth, climate change, nutritional challenges and changes in the structure of the rice industry globally.

Piñol, for his part, said the DA was looking at the greater utilization of good seeds provided by IRRI to local farmers nationwide to help improve their productivity.

“If our farmers can increase their productivity from 4 MT to 6-8 MT, we would be able to compete,” said Piñol.