www.irri.

org/irrc/

October-December 2008, Vol. 3, No. 4

April 2006, Vol. 1, No. 2

Irrigated Rice Research Consortium

International Rice Research Institute

Rice Research for Intensified Production and Prosperity in Lowland Ecosystems

ripple is produced by the irrigated rice research Consortium (irrC) with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The irrC promotes international links among scientists, managers, communicators, and farmers in lowland irrigated rice environments.

In this issue
IRRC today: excerpts from SDCs Asia Briefing Paper Series SDC conference in Switzerland features IRRCs achievements in the Mekong Delta 3rd National Rice Week held in Indonesia IRRC prepares for Phase 4 with Research to Impact Workshop

Ripples of change .......... 3

IRRI nominates the IRRC for the King Baudouin Award 2008

Research streams .............7 New book on Philippine rats debunks age-old myths Training course with focus on rodents and weeds in March 2009 Waves of action..................8 Going high-tech: trainers equipped with new tools for Rice SelfSufficiency Program Rangpur experience in fighting poverty inspires Indian visitors Better and stronger: a partnership captured on video Drying paddy made easy Buffalo rides and career strides
Fighting poverty with a green thumb Dr. Hiens machinery of change
Photo by G. Singleton

Profiles .................................... 12

ecause of a consistently impressive performance of the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) over the past 4 years, it was recently nominated by the > continued on page 2 management of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for the 2008 CGIAR King Baudouin Award. CGIAR
> continued on page 2 Because of its innovative technologies such as alternate wetting and drying, IRRC was nominated for the King Baudouin Award 2008. (Photo by G. Singleton)
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Publications & upcoming events .................................. 15

IRRI nominates IRRC...from page 1

stands for Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, of which IRRI is a member. In 1981, after consultations with the Kingdom of Belgium, the CGIAR established the biennial King Baudouin Award to acknowledge and stimulate agricultural research and to recognize an achievement stemming from the work of a center and its partners. Nominations are invited from each CGIAR center, and IRRI has chosen the IRRC to represent the Institute in the prestigious competition. The winner will be chosen based on the following guidelines: direct or indirect, actual or potential impact on resource-poor farmers, lowincome people, and sustainable production systems; innovation in science; and partnership/collaboration.

country outreach programs (ICOPs), the IRRC provides a platform to integrate technologies for sustainable rice production. IRRC technologies have been adopted by more than 250,000 farmers across Asia because they are a win-win benefit in economic and environmental terms. These technologies include AWD, postharvest technologies such as dryers and airtight storage bags, site-specific nutrient management, and an environment-friendly community method to control rats.

Innovation in science

Since the start of Phase 3 in 2005, the IRRC has created major impacts by reducing the economic burden of more than 250,000 smallholder farmers. Our greatest impact on the ultra-poor has been on those living in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Farmers there face high costs and labor and water shortages. The IRRC tackled these problems by introducing alternate wetting and drying (AWD, an innovative water-saving technology) and direct seeding (an alternate way of crop establishment).

Direct or indirect, actual or potential impact on resource-poor farmers and low-income people

The IRRC successfully promotes findings from high-quality science in natural resource management and social anthropology. The social anthropology link provides a way to give feedback to researchers and extensionists on how farmers adopt and adapt technologies, and in creating new ways to use IRRC technologies in the community. Some cutting-edge IRRC technologies that have made their way into inexpensive technologies and processes include the Super Bag, which can store 50 kilograms of seeds for the next planting season using a membrane impermeable to oxygen. Another example is the graduated bamboo tube used for monitoring water levels.

The IRRC envisions that farmers in irrigated rice-based systems will achieve increased profitability, food security, and environmental sustainability. (Photo by Ariel Javellana)

also been strengthening the capacity of national research systems and public-sector partners through more than 100 training courses and more than 100 sponsored cross-country visits, and international conferences.

Partnership/collaboration
With a strong multistakeholder partnership, the Consortium has been integrating a multidisciplinary network across 11 Asian countries involving more than 70 public, private, and teaching institutions. The IRRC has

Looking ahead

Direct or indirect, actual or potential impact on sustainable production systems

Through the IRRC
2

By 2018, the world will need to produce 50 million tons more rice annually than it does now. So, there is a great necessity for increased production from the irrigated lowlands, which places an increased focus on the potential impact of the

IRRCs technologies and its consortium structure on the livelihoods of smallholder rice farmers in Asia. The winners of all CGIAR awards will be announced at the Science Awards Ceremony at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the CGIAR in Maputo, Mozambique, in early December 2008.
Grant Singleton g.singleton@cgiar.org and Trina Mendoza t.mendoza@cgiar.org

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ripples of change

IRRC today

Excerpts from SDCs Asia Briefing Paper Series

or more than a decade, as the Green Revolution. taken a toll on rice producfarmers can harvest the the Swiss Agency for tion in recent years. Adding same yields using 1530% Development and CoThe rice price crisis to the problem are rising less water. After 4 years of operation (SDC) has been Today, there is a call for oil and fertilizer prices. research, training of trainfunding a regional partneranother Green Revolution. There are 79 million ers, and dissemination among ship between 11 rice-growing International prices soared hectares of irrigated lowfarmers, AWD is now being countries in South and in early 2008, and major lands in Asia, which reprepracticed by tens of thouSoutheast Asia and the Philexporters such as Vietnam sent only 45% of the global sands of farmers in China ippines-based International and India have cut back rice area. However, this is and the Philippines and is Rice Research Institute being adopted rapidly (IRRI). This partnership by farmers in Vietnam, program, called the IrIndia, Bangladesh, rigated Rice Research Myanmar, and Indonesia. Consortium (IRRC), has helped each country to Direct seeding saves identify and address their labor and water costs problems in irrigated rice Direct seeding production by developing of rice, an alternative and testing rice-growing to the usual method of technologies and crop transplanting seedlings, management approaches saves 20% in labor costs in farmers fields. and 30% in water costs. The results are Direct-seeded rice macaptured in an 8-page tures 1015 days earlier, briefing paper called Imhence allowing farmproving rice production ers to sow other crops in Asia. This paper is earlier and increasing part of SDCs Asia Brieftheir flexibility to respond The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supports the IRRCs ing Paper Series, which to irregular rainfall. work on increased production and sustainable natural resource management in aims to inform develop11 Asian countries. ment practitioners and Healthy crops the (Swiss) public about with the right exports to ensure enough rice the planets most producinnovations, results, and imamount of fertilizer for domestic needs. Many tive rice-growing environYield increases from pacts of Swiss development factors, both long- and shortment, providing 75% of the adopting site-specific nutricooperation in Asia. Here are term, have contributed to worlds rice. To get through ent management improved some highlights of the paper. the current crisis and improve net returns by US$100 to the present crisis. The world IRRI and the Green livelihoods of people in Asia, $300 per hectare per year is consuming more than it yields from the irrigated in China, India, Indonesia, is producing, and annual Revolution At a time when the fear lowlands must be increased. the Philippines, and Vietgrowth in yield has slowed to of famine was spreading nam. This innovation has a point where it is now lower across Asia after World War Impacts of the partnership led to harmonized national than population growth. II, the Ford and Rockefeller IRRCs focus is on more recommendations for nutriReduced public investfoundations founded IRRI, efficient use of resources such ent management of irrigated ment in agricultural research an international center of as land, labor, water, and rice, affecting millions of has contributed to the probcompetence for rice, in Los fertilizer leading to susfarmers in Indonesia, the lem. Tens of thousands of Baos, Philippines, in 1960. tained, environment-friendly Philippines, and China. hectares of rice fields are With the introduction of increases in production. lost annually to housing and IRRIs modern high-yielding Reduced postharvest industrial development, and varieties in the 1960s, rice More rice using less water losses, better rice qualthere is little room to expand yields and overall production Using alternate wetting rice-growing area. Weak ity, and higher prices rose rapidly. The period of and drying (AWD), a waterPostharvest technoloirrigation infrastructure, growth throughout the 1970s saving practice developed gies such as improved dryers recurring pest outbreaks, and > continued on page 4 and 1980s has become known extreme weather have also by the partnership program,
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IRRC today ...from page 3

lead to rice milling quality 1240% higher than that of sun-dried rice. Thousands of farmers are earning more by using special airtight bags to safely store their seeds.

about half a ton per hectare. Ecological rodent pest management has become the national policy in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

What the future holds

Ecological management of rodent pests

Ecological rodent pest management reduces the use of chemical rodenticides by 50% and increases yields by

The IRRC builds the capacity of partner countries by enhancing the skills of researchers, extension workers, and farmers. The partnership program provides multicountry learning for national scientists and exten-

sion specialists in 11 Asian countries, and these partnerships have made a significant contribution to the food security of Asians while maintaining a safe environment. The focus of Phase 4 in 2009-12 will be on improving the livelihoods of poor smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia by ensuring the sustainability of rice production through the application of technologies. The partnership will also continue to provide

a strong platform for capacity building and joint cross-country learning. With continued support of the SDC, the IRRC will provide an important regional consortium to help address the rice crisis in Asia. Copies of the Asia Brief can be ordered from eastasia@deza.admin. ch or downloaded from www.deza.admin.ch.
Trina Mendoza t.mendoza@cgiar.org

SDC conference in Switzerland features IRRCs achievements in the Mekong Delta

ribourg, SwitzerlandOn 22 August, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) held the 2008 Annual Development Cooperation Conference. This years theme was Switzerland and the Mekong Region Development under the Banner of Food Security and Globalization. More than 1,700 participants came to examine the complementary nature of bilateral and multilateral development cooperation. Vietnam and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (PDR) were presented as examples of the challenges and successes of development cooperation today. Development work done by the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) is part of SDCs success story. Funded by SDC for more than a decade, the IRRC has developed and tested rice-

Dr. Achim Dobermann demonstrates how the drum seeder, an IRRC technology, makes it easier to plant rice seeds.

growing technologies and crop-management approaches in Vietnam and Lao PDR and produced astonishing results. IRRC work in Vietnam is captured in a video called Rice and the Mekong. (See side story for details.) Dr. Achim Dobermann, deputy director general

for research of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), represented IRRI and the IRRC. During the program, he gave a 15-minute presentation about the IRRC and demonstrated how a drum seeder and leaf color chart (LCC) work. These are the fruits of 15 years of

research in a regional effort of many countries, he said. IRRI had an excellent display at the exhibit, featuring posters, press releases, fact sheets, and brochures of the IRRC and tools such as the drum seeder, LCC, grain quality kit, Super Bag, and
> continued on page 5

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3rd National Rice Week held in Indonesia

Bambang Yudhoyono. The event was sponsored by the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD), together with public and private institutions such as hybrid rice companies. Participants in the 6-day celebration were treated to exhibits and seminars on the latest developments in rice science, technologies, and industry. Discussions were also held among researchers, extension workers, and farmers. In his National Rice Week delegates find an ally in the countrys president. speech, President Yudhoyono acknowledged the diligence of including submergencefarmers, the ongoing efforts tolerant rice IR70213-3of scientists to improve CPA-12-UBN-2-1-3, known rice technology, and the locally as INPARA3. contributions of other sectors, Seeds of INPARA3 who all together succeeded are currently being massin raising the countrys produced. By next cropping rice production by 4.9% in season, the variety will be 2007. Meanwhile, another available in several provinces 4.7% increase is predicted that experience frequent for 2008 by Indonesias flooding. The president also Agency for Statistics. handed farmers some books One reason to look such as the Indonesian Rice forward to further progress Knowledge Bank booklet is the release of nine new with accompanying CD, improved rice varieties, which Rice Book Vol. 1, and the farmers would hopefully Pocket Guide Book and adopt as part of the Rice Module of Site-Specific Production Increase Program. Nutrient Management. Yet, President Yudhoyono Three IRRI scientists, pointed out the challenges Dr. Abdelbagi Ismail, Dr. that lie ahead, such as those David Mackill, and Dr. Grant that have arisen because of Singleton, presented papers climate change and the everduring a two-day national increasing prices of oil and seminar on rice. Also in food in the global market. attendance was Dr. MahyudIn the same speech, din Syam, IRRI liaison the president also thanked scientist for Indonesia. the International Rice Lorelei de la Cruz Research Institute (IRRI) for l.delacruz@cgiar.org supporting and participating in the celebration. Later, he gave out to farmers seeds of new rice varieties,
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ndonesia celebrated its 3rd National Rice Week on 21-26 July. The event was held at the Indonesian Center for Rice Research (ICRR) in Sukamandi, West Java. The guest of honor was Indonesian President Susilo
SDC Conference ...from page 4

Many visitors saw live rice plants for the first time at the IRRCs display at the conference.

Dr. Carmen Thoennissen of SDC explains the importance of IRRCs work to visitors at the exhibit.

field water pipe. It was a clear crowd pleaser, said Dr. Dobermann. He and Dr. Carmen Thoennissen, SDC program manager for the Mongolia desk, entertained questions about the IRRC at the exhibit. At the close of the conference, respective directors-general of SDC and SECO, Ambassador Martin

Dahinden, and Secretary of State Jean-Daniel Gerber emphasized that successful development partnerships call for joint strategies and objectives.
Trina Mendoza With reports from Achim Dobermann (a.dobermann@ cgiar.org) and SDC and photos from SDC

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IRRC prepares for Phase 4 with Research to Impact Workshop

successful sharing of and Sri Lanka talked about There is no cross-country learnthe successes and weaksingle recipe ing among Asian nesses of their research and for dissemicountries was captured at the extension activities. They nating these Research to Impact Workpresented their experiences technoloshop of the Irrigated Rice in disseminating technologies, he said. Research Consortium (IRRC) gies and achieving impacts He advised on 23-24 September 2008. on nutrient management, that the Around 70 participants labor-saving technologies, IRRC must gathered at the Philippine weed and rodent management, look ahead, Rice Research Institute, water-saving technologies, not only in Panel members shared their insights on IRRCs Nueva Ecija, to present and postharvest innovations. the coming progress and what needs to be further strengthened in Phase 4. their case studies on natural During the closing 23 years resource management (NRM) ceremonies, Dr. Achim but 1015 of irrigated rice in Asia. This collective action for managing Dobermann, deputy director years from now as well. workshop aimed to common property resources Dr. Thelma Paris, document the learning IRRI gender specialist, like soil, water, and land, during IRRCs Phase and common problems like stressed the need for a 3 on NRM dissemipests, rodents, and weeds. stronger gender comnation and evaluate U Than Aye, IRRC ponent in Phase 4. Dr. the dissemination Steering Committee member Gelia Castillo, IRRI methods in preparaand deputy director general, consultant and Philiption for IRRCs Phase pine National Scientist, Department of Agricultural 4 (2009-12). The Planning, Myanmars Minsaid, Considering proceedings will be istry of Agriculture and the current rice crisis, published next year. Irrigation, encourages the there must be a sense Keynote speaker strengthening of crossof urgency in what we Dr. Cees Leuwis discussed the changing views of the agricultural innovation pathway and its Dr. Cees Leuwis from country learning and capacdo because the IRRC implications for research and extension. Communication and ity building of the younger has the potential to Innovation Sciences, contribute significantly generation in Phase 4. Dr. Carmen Thoenissen, repWageningen University, progeneral for research, Internato the task of increasing rice resentative of donor Swiss vided valuable insights during tional Rice Research Institute production at reduced cost to Agency for Development the workshop. Participants (IRRI), said that many mature the environment and to confrom Myanmar, Indonesia, technologies have improved sumers; allowing farmers who and Cooperation, commends IRRCs role as an honest Philippines, India, Vietnam, over the years, and there are mostly poor to earn more; broker between scientists China, Thailand, Bangladesh, are still many possibilities. and achieving much-needed and farmers and advises the IRRC to continue monitoring technology adoption and closing gaps to impact pathways. IRRC coordinator Grant Singleton sees this as a challenging but exciting time, and gives credit to the camaraderie and trust built among IRRC partners through constant interaction, which have enabled them to work efficiently and more closely with farmers and other end-users across Asia.
The workshop brought together experts from nine Asian countries. Together, their shared experiences and valuable insights helped to chart the future of the IRRC. Story and photos by Trina Mendoza

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research Streams

New book on Philippine rats debunks age-old myths

ontrary to popular belief, not all good rats are dead rats. This is one of the myths being debunked by a new book titled Philippine rats: ecology and management, released by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). This work was edited by Grant R. Singleton, Ravindra C. Joshi, and Leocadio S. Sebastian. In the Philippines alone, there are about 66 species of rats and mice. While some of these species do set up residence in or around rice fields, in truth, only four of them are serious pests of rice. Of these four, none are native to the Philippines. Unfortunately, all rodents in general have carried the hateful reputation that only

a few of them deserve. This new book thus sprang forth from the collaboration of rodent researchers who are concerned with keeping the delicate balance between the need to optimize agricultural production and the need to conserve biodiversity in the plants and animals of the Philippines. This volume was written with four aims. The first is to raise the profile of rodent pest management in the Philippines, and of basic research needed to develop effective applied management of rodent pests. Second, this book defends the need for an ecologically supportive approach in managing rodents. The third objective is to raise awareness of the other nonpest

rodent species unique to the Philippines and their important roles in keeping the ecological balance in their ecosystem. Lastly, through this book, the authors hope to inspire prospective students to explore a challenging but rewarding field of endeavor. So how should rodent pests be controlled to cut losses in the rice industry? Farmers will find this book useful in planning ecologically sound rodent pest management strategies meant to shatter the ambiguous ideas people have picked up about the biology, behavior, and habitat use of each species in question.

With this book come two CDs: a nontechnical electronic guide for identifying species and a bibliography and database on Philippine rodents.
Lorelei de la Cruz

Training course with focus on rodents and weeds in March 2009

Weeds such as Cyperus rotundus compete with rice for space and nutrients. (Photo by CPS)

ests cause major losses in rice crops throughout the world. In Asia alone, rats consume enough rice to feed 180 to 350 million people for a year. Weeds cause chronic losses to rice production and poor rice farmers spend much of their labor trying to control the impact of weeds. Thus, managing pests continues to pose major challenges to farmers and agriculturalists. This is why, on 16-27 March 2009, a training course will be held, titled Ecology and sociology of management of pests with emphasis on rodents and weeds. The 2-week course will be held at the Training Center of the International

Rice Research Institute. The course will cover the following topics: The development of integrated pest management in rice cropping systems Ecologically based management: the reemergence of a paradigm for pest management Basic population ecology: general principles

for insects, rodents, plants, and diseases Population and behavioral ecology of rodents Community ecology of weeds Biological control of rodent pests Cultural control of weeds Rice diseases: the dynamics of epidemics, their modeling, and their management IPM for insect pests: the social dimension The social and cultural dimension to pest management Pathways for extending results to end-users Field studies on rodents and weeds: fundamental methodologies Decision analysis of

For more information, please contact Noel Magor at the IRRI Training Center at Tel: (63-2) 845-0563; 580-5600 Fax: (63-2) 891-1292; 845-0606 Email: IRRITraining@cgiar.org

needs, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of farmers Action-learning project There will be 20 slots for participants, who must find their own funds or at least get partial funding to attend. The course is designed for young scientists, midcareer agricultural scientists, and decision makers in developing countries. Slots will be available for people from developed countries who can cover their course fees.

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Waves of action

Going high-tech

Trainers equipped with new tools for Rice Self-Sufficiency Program

hen the 2008 rice crisis forced people to look into the needs of rice production, the Philippine government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), responded by launching the Rice Self-Sufficiency Program (RSSP). For this program, the DA sought the help of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Together, IRRI and the DA discussed the best ways for IRRI to help the government. Mr. Julian Lapitan, who leads IRRIs team in charge of the program, explains, Our main contribution is to update the agricultural sector about the latest in rice technology. To attain selfsufficiency, there is a need to increase the production here in the target areas, in so-called focus provinces. With this in mind, the first wave of 2-week training of trainers (TOT) was conducted in August among rice specialists from the DAs regional field units, local government units (LGUs) from Visayas and Mindanao, and trainers from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). In September, their counterparts from Luzon comprised the second batch of trainers to undergo the training. A third wave in October catered to private companies, non-government organizations, state universities, and colleges.

on five areas of innovation: (1) newer varieties and seed production, (2) integrated water management or alternate wetting and drying, (3) integrated nutrient management and intensive rice production, (4) integrated pest management, and (5) postproduction.

PalayCheck

The platform for RSSP is PhilRices PalayCheck system, a user-friendly rice

applying extension methods for technology transfer. Now that rice specialists have been equipped with the capacity to do their work better, it is now up to them to transfer the knowledge they have gained through training that they in turn are expected to conduct. This way, the latest rice technologies are expected to reach farmers who would benefit most from them.

apply the recommended methods properly. The third obstacle is the high price and dwindling supply of water for irrigation. Lastly, the support of local government units is direly needed. Ideally, the DA roving teams send LGUbased agricultural technicians who manage the farmer field schools. Strong political will is thus needed to enable technology transfer to farmers. The training course was

Jun Correa of IRRI (far right) explains to trainees the panicle initiation stage for different rice varieties. (Photo by the Productivity and Sustainability Work Group)

Since delegates to the training already have working knowledge of rice production, most of the subject matter is familiar, except for demonstrations of the latest technologies. The training focused
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Areas of innovation

crop management system that aims to help farmers produce 5 tons of rice per hectare in the 2008 wet season. The first week was held at IRRI in Los Baos, Laguna. Participants were updated about the latest rice production and management technologies. For the 2nd week, delegates were housed at the Philippine Rice Research Insitute (PhilRice) in Muoz, Nueva Ecija, where they practiced

Challenges

According to Mr. Lapitan, four factors can hamper technology transfer. First is the limited supply of inputs. Farmers may be willing to try new rice varieties, but sometimes seeds are just not available. Second is farmers limited access to credit. Even if the farmers know when to best apply fertilizer, if they cannot afford to buy fertilizer, and with no credit mechanisms in place, they cannot

well appreciated because the older participants gained exposure to new technologies already familiar to younger participants, while they were given the chance to apply knowledge they have learned from years of experience. Hopefully, this valuable knowledge and these new technologies will soon become the farmers own.
Lorelei de la Cruz

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Rangpur experience in fighting poverty inspires Indian visitors

n late August 2008, Dr. have no money to buy food. harvest, ensuring enough R.K. Singh and his colThe visitors learned rice for people and straw for leagues from India visited that government agencies animals during monga. This the Bangladesh Rice Research and NGOs have been trying technology package also Institute (BRRI) Rangpur to solve this grave problem lets farmers plant potato as Station. They wanted to see to avoid hunger and migraa second crop, followed by how BRRIs research and detion, but with limited sucboro, a third crop, thus ensurvelopment activities on povcess. Meanwhile, Dr. Mazid ing food and employment erty reduction are doing. They has been working silently to throughout the year while were in for a big surprise. evolve a crop-based solution enhancing total farm income. Dr. Singh, formerly consuited to local conditions. Dr. Singhs group also nected with the International He analyzed the problem, discovered that, besides Rice Research Institute monga, floods are another (IRRI) station in India, menace in Bangladesh, is now the Executive causing enormous Director of NEFORD in damage and eroding Delhi. His group came the food base. Unstable from universities and sandbars and river banks non-government orgaare very prone to sudnizations (NGOs) in Inden and forceful flooddia. They have teamed ing. To combat this up with IRRI for a perpetual problem, Dr. project called Poverty Mazid developed floodAlleviation through tolerant rice varieties. (2nd from left) shows seeders Rice Innovation Systems Dr. MazidBRRI to the visitors, leddry Dr. Singh IRRI teamed up with made by by (PARIS), similar to what (4th from left). Dry seeders make planting rice South Asian collaboraBangladesh is striving to and managing weeds easier. (Photo by R. Singh) tors to incorporate Sub1, achieve. Though familiar a resistance gene, into the with BRRI, only now did the identified the gaps, and four important rice varieties visitors witness the gravity of developed a package of of the regionBR11, Swarna, Bangladeshs situation and the agricultural technologies Samba Mahsuri, and IR64. impacts of BRRIs efforts. that filled in these gaps. In the field, Dr. Singhs team Dr. M.A. Mazid, head Dr. Mazid chose BRRI clearly saw the advantages of of BRRI Rangpur Station, dhan 33, a short-duration the improved germplasm over explained to visitors that variety developed by BRRI their original parents. Under Bangladesh suffers two in 1997, which can produce controlled conditions, after seasons of food crisis ev4.8 tons per hectare in 115 the Sub1 lines were subery year, from mid-March days. The crop matures a merged for 12 to 16 days, they to mid-May and from early month earlier than BR11, were able to recover and surOctober to mid-November. the most common variety vive better than their parents. In these times, only a few in this region. Using direct Dr. Mazid explained that agricultural operations are seeding instead of transimproved technology is only going on, so there are few planting, a BRRI dhan 33 the beginning. Also needed opportunities to earn. This crop matures in 110 days. are training of trainers from phenomenon, called monga, Dry direct seeding allows the government, NGOs, affects 3,700,000 people in timely sowing of BRRI dhan and policymakers; capacRangpur. Among them are 33, even if an early drought ity building for extension 2,800,000 landless agricultur- comes. Because BRRI dhan providers and input providal day-laborers and 850,000 33 matures 40 days earlier, ers; skills development and marginal farmers who are it eludes the seasonal late training through farmers unemployed at these times. drought and late-season field schools; and monitoring. Though there is a surplus of brown planthopper attack. He trained people from the food in the market, sadly, Direct seeding and Department of Agriculture people starve because they BRRI dhan 33 bring an early and Extension and different
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NGOs who have widespread networks to mobilize seed production of BRRI dhan 33 and can train farmers how to disseminate the technology package on a large scale. Dr. Mazid also sought the support of government officials for the program to succeed. The visitors met with NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), farmers clubs, and government officials. Many NGOs work through CBOs, empowering the poor. Dr. Singhs group was overwhelmed to hear everyone talking about BRRI dhan 33 whenever the topic of monga was discussed. Not only has the rice variety become popular, but people also speak of Dr. Mazid with great reverence, says Dr. Singh. Over the years, he has become a crusader, and his efforts have taken the form of a mass movement. Today its not just his program, but the peoples program. Dr. Singh adds, It was amazing to see how the farmers are organized into empowered groups. Here, government organizations have no restrictions to join hands with the NGOs to implement their programs. This is not the way things are done in India. In Bangladesh, NGOs are widely spread, influencing the life of every individual in one way or another. Some work through micro-financing programs and developmental activities, while others are fully devoted to alleviating poverty in rural areas. Inspired by their Bangladesh experience, the visitors felt renewed hope for their PARIS project. Now they have reason to believe that their own efforts will take them on a similar path at the same pace.
R.K. Singh and Lorelei de la Cruz
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Better and stronger

A partnership captured on video

and have influenced national policies on rice production. These include the alternate wetting and drying technology, ecologically based rodent management, sitespecific nutrient management (SSNM), pest management, and postharvest technologies. Some of the videos highlights include the communitybased rodent action of the townsfolk of An Giang in the Mekong Delta, the impacts of SSNM and the Three Reductions, Three Gains Campaign across Vietnam, and the story of one female farmer whos been reaping the benefits of IRRC technologies. The teamwork between

ts been more than 10 years, but the collaboration of the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) with Vietnamese partners keeps getting better and stronger. The nature of the teamwork has evolved over the past decade, and the IRRC captures some of these exciting highlights in a new video called Rice and the Mekong. Vietnam is one of the worlds largest rice exporters, with rice being more than a commodity but a way of life. Research activities all over Vietnam, especially in the south, are gaining impact

the IRRC and Vietnamese partners has led to such amazing results, and is about to approach an even higher level as impacts of some technologies are being assessed in different areas such as in the north. This video gives a glimpse of the successes in the Mekong,

and a peek into the future of natural resource management in Vietnam. For a copy of the video or the script, email t.mendoza@cgiar.org.
Story and photo by Trina Mendoza

Drying paddy made easy

be avoided by accurately measuring moisture content. Commercial moisture meters dont come cheap. To help farmers and processors with this postproduction technology, the Postproduction Work Group of the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium based at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has developed a new moisture meter. The IRRI Moisture Tester Mark II was designed for easy testing of paddy moisture contentan affordable decision-making tool for postharvest management of rice. The moisture tester has three light emitting diodes (LED) that indicate that the paddy moisture content is within a certain range: a red LED for paddy that is too WET for safe storage (this needs to be dried); a green LED for paddy GRAIN that is safe for storage (may be used for rice milling); and a yellow LED that indicates that paddy SEED is dry enough to maintain a high germination rate in seed storage. According to the Postproduction Work Group, the IRRI Moisture Tester is a decision-making tool for postharvest operations and was not designed to be used in trading. The group is now drafting an accompanying manual to make this tool easier to use, even by users who dont speak English. The fully illustrated manual contains such information as the moisture testers components, moisture content ranges, how to test moisture content, how to test the battery, and how to replace the battery. Also being drafted is the manufacturers handbook, which will include a recommendation to make a custom housing to accommodate six AAsize batteries, which are more commonly available and have longer life than the current 9V block.
Lorelei de la Cruz and Martin Gummert m.gummert@cgiar.org

fter rice farmers have gone through great lengths to grow their seedlings, fertilize them, rid them of pests and diseases, and harvest their crops, they still need to make sure that the rice does not rot or overdry. These postharvest problems that can amount to huge losses can

SAFE AND DRY. Thanks to this easy-to-use technology, financial losses due to delayed drying and weight loss from overdried grain can be prevented. (Photo by the Postproduction WG)

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Buffalo rides and career strides

unique course designed to inspire young scientists will develop the research leaders who can help prevent food crises such as that seen around the world in 2008, and which is a key topic being discussed by world leaders at the recent G8 summit in Japan. The Rice: Research to Production course, held on 19 May6 June at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), brought together 29 participants from 13 countries across the developed and developing world. The participants included undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from developed countries such as Canada, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and scientists from developing countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mozambique, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation in the United States, the Gatsby Foundation in the United Kingdom, and IRRI, the course also seeks to reverse the one-way traffic of recent decades that has seen thousands of young scientists from the developing world studying and then taking jobs in the developed world. Students from the developed countries, many of whom had never set foot in a rice field before, began to understand the challenges rice farmers face in simply trying to grow enough food to feed themselves and their families. Its a long way from analyzing rice genes in a high-tech laboratory in a U.S. university to steering a water buffalo around a muddy rice

field in provincial Philippines, said Noel Magor, head of IRRIs Training Center and one of the course organizers. Its this sort of experience that can profoundly influence a young scientists career. Many developed-country researchers are unaware of the impact their work can have in helping people from poorer countries overcome problems that farmers in richer areas could hardly imagine, said

Susan McCouch, who devised the course with IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler and plant pathologist Hei Leung. By not only experiencing the challenges themselves, but also meeting and spending time with people from Africa and Asia who have to deal with these challenges, the students gain insights and inspiration that are nearly impossible to gain in the comfort of their own homes, said Dr. McCouch, a professor in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Cornell University in the United States. For Stacey Simon, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Delaware in the U.S., the course offered her first experience in a real rice field. For the first time, Dr. Simon, who works on the molecular biology of rice, thought about the applications of her research. Im now considering international work, and thats something

Ive never thought about before. I also understand the importance of connections with people outside my own field, especially those who work directly with farmers. Melanie Sanborn (see photo at left), a graduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State University, Pennsylvania, agreed that the knowledge and connections developed over the 3-week course would shape her career. Id like to create lessons about international agriculture for high school studentsI want to help inspire and train a future generation of rice scientists, she said. Building research capacity in Africa, where rice is an increasingly important food, is very important if the continent is to shake its reliance on imports from Asia. Another participant, Abubakary Kijoji, a plant physiologist from Tanzania, said that his country of 38 million has only five rice breeders for what is now the nations second largest crop. Countries worldwide are struggling to attract people into careers in agricultural research. This is especially troubling because one of the major reasons for the recent food price increase is stagnating productivity growth due to a decline in technological advances produced by public agricultural research such as that performed at IRRI. Prolonged periods of low food prices through the 1980s and early 1990sspurred by technology-driven improvements in productivityled many governments and funding agencies to believe

that cheap food was here to stay. A consequent disinvestment in public agricultural research and infrastructure has stemmed the flow of new technologies, and the world is now paying the price. Recent calls from organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for countries to reinvest in agriculture are welcome, but without the personnel to make use of new fundingif it does come improvements will be limited. Some African countries, for example, rely on a single rice breeder to develop locally adapted improved varieties. Many countries in Asia and Latin America also suffer from a dearth of qualified researchers and plant breeders. The course aimed to create a new generation of plant scientists who are well networked into the international community and understand the importance of integrating plant science and community-based knowledge in addressing global problems. It provided the participants with an understanding of the basics of rice production, familiarity with the germplasm collection at IRRI and current issues related to germplasm exchange and property rights, an appreciation of IRRIs research objectives and development partners, hands-on skills relating to rice breeding, an understanding of how to structure effective international collaborations, and the knowledge and personal contacts to work effectively as part of international research teams in the future.
Excerpts reprinted from IRRI Bulletin 2008.27
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Profiles

Fighting poverty with a green thumb

n a world where many demanding work. So my huspeople pick the easy way band and I decided to look for to make a living, we more fulfilling careers. At seldom come across those that time, the Philippine Rice who on purpose choose more Research Institute (PhilRice) challenging careers. Yet it is these people who actually stand out. Dr. Donna Casimero is one such person. Madonna Carbon Casimero grew up on a farm in Pangasinan in Central Luzon, Philippines. A farmers daughter, Donna learned about both the joys and hardships of farm life from an early age. She recalls how her mother grew pigs to pay for her school expenses. Growing up, she found herself asking the question: Why do farmers remain poor even if they go to work in their fields every day? Convinced Dr. Casimeros Palayamanan system ensures a bountiful harvest for the diligent farmer. that she could make a dif(Photo by M. Casimero) ference for poor farmers, she took up agriculture in college. In 1983, she finished had just opened in Muoz, her bachelors degree from the Nueva Ecija. They applied University of the Philippines and were immediately hired. Los Baos (UPLB), where she In PhilRice, Dr. Casimero majored in crop production. soon found herself workIt was also in UPLB where ing on farming systems and she took on her first job on weeds. Working with farmrice-based and coconut-based ers to improve their farming systems, while enrolled in her systems gave her fulfillment, masters program and majorwhile she focused on weeds ing in weed science. She has for her hardcore research. lots of fond memories of her In 2000, after she got her UPLB days, as this is also doctorate degree, Dr. Casimwhere she met an entomoloero pioneered a PhilRice gist named Vic Casimero, program called Palayamanan, whom she married in 1987. a rice-based systems concept. The couple soon resettled Palayamanan embraces the in South Cotabato in southern age-old Filipino farming pracPhilippines, where Dr. Casim- tice of planting other crops ero worked on cotton research besides rice and taking care for 3 years. She eventually of livestock. This diversity realized that she hungered for in farm products gives the a more challenging job. Cotfarmer food security, but, ton is a one-season crop, so more importantly, makes the challenges simply arent farming more productive. If there. Coming from UPLB, a farmers rice crop fails, he I was accustomed to more has other crops to profit from.

In her hands-on work with farmers, Dr. Casimero has made some very valuable realizations. She explains, Despite farmers saying that they are indeed poor, they need to understand that their progress depends on their perception, and that they need not remain poor. After all, they have the resources. Dr. Casimeros belief is based on her fathers experience as a small farmer whose hard work and sound farming practices allowed his family to prosper. But aside from the change in attitude that farmers need to break free of the vicious cycle of poverty, they have to be equipped with the skills and knowledge about the technologies they can use to become productive. This is why farmer education is very important. They have to be made aware of the potentials of their resource base. Indeed, Dr. Casimero has reached out to farmers around the Philippines through farmer schools set up as part of the national program on integrated pest management. It is my dream for farmers to progress from subsistence farming to entrepreneurial farming, Dr. Casimero envisions. We have to link farmers to the value chain in the markets. We help farmers help themselves. Dr. Casimeros hard work has earned her numerous awards, including The Outstanding Women in the Nations Service (TOWNS) in 2004 and the Marcos R. Vega Award in Weed Science in 2006. Although she works with farmers hands-on, she also mentors younger employees, ensuring that when time

comes, others may carry on well the work she has started. Nowadays, Dr. Casimero is readjusting to yet another chapter of her professional life. She has just left PhilRice, where she served for a year as deputy director for research and development, to work as project scientist in the International Rice Research Institute. As part of the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium, she will be stationed in South Sulawesi in Indonesia, where she will work on farmer participatory research and development. She will also identify pathways for extension and analyze factors influencing adoption of technologies. Her husband and four children are excited for her because this meant a welcome change of environment for her. When not at work, Dr. Casimero likes to read books on management, leadership, and personality development, as well as light novels and love stories. She also loves cooking and gardening. In every home Ive lived in, I always have a little garden where I have orchids, anthuriums, other ornamentals, and vegetables. Why does Dr. Casimero do what she does? She explains, I am guided by the principle that we did not inherit the land from our ancestors. We only borrowed it from our children. It is our responsibility to the future generations to enhance our resources. That is Dr. Casimero scientist, mother, mentor, avid cook, and farmers daughteran endearing and truly outstanding woman.

Lorelei de la Cruz

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Dr. Hiens machinery of change

n Vietnam, there is a simple but powerful saying: You reap what you sow. For Vietnam, the proliferation of locally made dryers, threshers, and reapers started when one man decided to cultivate his knowledge of developing postharvest machinery in his country. The story began when Phan Hieu Hien, then a freshman as yet undecided on a specialization, came across older studentsanimal husbandry majorsoperating on dogs. It was then when I realized that I did not like to dissect dogs, he confesses, so I made up my mind to choose a field where I didnt have to do that. That was agricultural engineering. Years later, with a masters degree in engineering from the University of the Philippines Los Baos (UPLB), he worked for a government company. In 1974, he went to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to learn how to make axial-flow threshers. IRRI and his company then agreed to produce these threshers in Vietnam. Dr. Hien and his colleagues made 50 units of this equipment, which farmers in the Mekong Delta then modified and improved into a distinctly Vietnamese design, resulting in the manufacture of about 50,000 threshers and 100% mechanization of threshing in this region. Through the years, Dr. Hien continued his research on postharvest equipment in the Agricultural Machinery Laboratory of Nong Lam University (NLU). He obtained a sketch of an IRRI-designed 2-ton vertical batch dryer. This came in handy when a state-owned seed company asked for his

help in 1981. Mustering up courage, he set to meet the deadline to build a functional piece of equipment he had never made before, guided only by the IRRI sketch. It turned out to be a success. Dr. Hien played mentor to many students who went on their way to develop and produce agricultural equipment such as reapers and dryers. So that, before the decade was over, about 200 reapers had been brought out by local manufacturers who had received the modified design from NLU. Dr. Hien himself modified the IRRI vertical bin dryer design, creating a boxtype or flat-bed dryer from UPLB and IRRI designs. It took a while before his design was taken up in Vietnam, but the seeds had been sown, because by then, farmers realized that it was possible to dry mechanically. Nowadays, fewer students are taking up agricultural engineering, says Dr. Hien. I hope the time will not come when the world will be full of professionals but no one to work on agriculture. The next generation must learn to value agriculture. Dr. Hiens work started to be adopted in the 1990s. At a small workshop in one village, a dryer was built using his design. From this, 50 2- to 4-ton units were made, and were used by farmers in the 2,000-hectare village. Thanks to these dryers, the village was able to dry all paddy during the wet season when sundrying was difficult. When Dr. Hien visited farmers who have used the dryers, the feedback he got helped him to further improve the technology. By this time, Dr. Hien had completed his PhD at the

University of the Philippines Diliman and his research at IRRI. This solidified his involvement in postharvest technology dissemination activities between Vietnam and the Philippines. From 1994 to 1997, he worked on finetuning flat-bed dryer technology, keeping in mind NLUs GLOBAL EFFECT. Dr. Hiens work has stirred in Vietnam, but also in other principle of re- interest not just as well. Asian countries search to serve the production sector. In 1997, around for their work on reversible 1,500 flat-bed dryers were dryers in Vietnam. Dr. Hien in use in 13 provinces in the also worked on sugarcane Mekong Delta. By 2006, the mechanization, which earned number had risen to 6,200 his team another VIFOTEC all modified and improved award in 2006. At presversions of NLU designs. ent, he devotes his time to In many villages, the research on laser-controlled new reapers got mechanics land-leveling technology, interested in modifying their which Dr. Hien believes will designs. Some of the manurevolutionize Vietnamese agfacturers succeeded, others riculture in the 21st century. failed. Nevertheless, success Despite his busy work is evidenced by the number of schedule, Dr. Hien finds farmers using reapers in Long time to relax by taking long An Province, where the numwalks in the fields whenever ber of reapers rose from 200 he installs machinery in a to 1,600 units. Dr. Hien startvillage. A family man, he ed intensive testing of Chinalooks forward to going home made mini-combine harvestin the evenings to spend ers modified by PhilRice and time with his wife and son, introduced these in Vietnam a mechanical engineer. in 2004. His efforts were recNowadays, Dr. Hiens ognized after one agricultural work with the Irrigated company produced 300 units Rice Research Consortiums from the design he modified. Postproduction Work Group Dr. Hiens work caught allows him to present the the attention of the Vietnamresults of his work not only ese Central Government. In to local manufacturers and 2005, Dr. Phan Hieu Hien farmers but also to partners and his team got the presfrom Cambodia, Lao Peoples tigious Vietnam Fund for Democratic Republic, and Supporting Technological > continued on page 14 Creations (VIFOTEC) Award
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Dr. Hiens..from page 13

In Brief

Myanmar. Representatives from countries such as Bangladesh also come to see his design and learn how the equipment works. Dr. Hiens mission to build and modify postharvest equipment does not end there. He believes that more and more scientists, equipment manufacturers, and end users, not only in his country but in other countries as well, will find ways to improve and build upon what he has done. He welcomes this, looking forward to the effect that such transformations will have on small producers and reiterates that all postharvest and agricultural mechanization development should be guided by the principle of from the people, by the people, for the people.
Rica Joy Flor and Lorelei de la Cruz with photo from P. Hien The Irrigated Rice Research Consortium is committed to help provide food security for present and future generations of rice consumers in Asia, such as these children from Vietnam. (Photo by G. Singleton)

Zinc fertilizer test kit and Nutrient Manager software launched

on. to determine Arthur the zinc conC. Yap, tent of zinc Secretary of the sulfate fertilDepartment of izer, without Agriculture in the need for the Philippines, a laboratory launched the or electricnewly develity. It enables oped zinc fertilbuyers, disizer test kit and tributors, and the Nutrient researchers Manager for to evaluate Rice decision the purity of Dr. Rodrigo Badayos of the University of the Philippines Los software at the their zinc ferBaos; IRRIs Sarah Beebout, Dr. Robert Zeigler, and Dr. Roland Buresh; Sec. Arthur Yap; and Atty. Ronilo Beronio of the International tilizer prior Philippine Rice Research Institute during the launching. Rice Research to field use. Institute on 12 August 2008. for the Philippines. The zinc Nutrient Manager for Rice This is part of the ongoing fertilizer test kit provides a is an interactive computerTraining of Trainers course rapid color-chart-based test based decision support tool
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that can help farmers in improving their nutrient management practices for rice. The principles used in the development of the Nutrient Manager are consistent with research findings on site-specific nutrient management for rice. On 9 October, the Nutrient Manager for the Philippines was tested by IRRI staff. Participants found the software easy to use and gave suggestions to further improve it.
Story and photo by Roland Buresh r.buresh@cgiar.org

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Upcoming events
(October 2008 March 2009)
Training course
Ecology and sociology of management of pests with emphasis on rodents and weeds, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines, 16-27 March 2009. Labor Productivity Work Group Stakeholders meeting in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, 16-17 October. Training program for extension workers involved in Increasing Rice Productivity in South & Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia (Maros, South Sulawesi), 18-19 October; Kendari, South Sulawesi, 21-22 October. Productivity and Sustainability Work Group Training workshop on computer-based decision tools for soil science curriculum of universities and colleges, Iloilo, Philippines, 22 October. Planning for future activities on nutrient and crop management in rice-maize systems, Bangladesh, November. Introduction and release of Nutrient Manager for Rice decision tools for northern and southern Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam, 14 November. Postproduction Work Group Postharvest training on combine harvesting and mechanical drying with

trainers from Long Nam University, Ho Chi Minh City; Savannakhet, Lao PDR, 20-25 October. Indonesia stakeholder meeting, 16-18 October, and training, 20-24 October. Participatory Impact Pathway and Project Planning Workshop, New ADB Postharvest Project and IRRC Phase IV, Postproduction Work Group, Cambodia component, 15-19 December. Water-Saving Work Group Presentation of keynote papers on System for Tropical and Temperate Aerobic Rice in the International Forum on Water and Food, Ethiopia, November.

Publications

International journals
Chauhan BS, Johnson DE. 2008. Germination ecology of goosegrass (Eleusine indica): an important grass weed of rainfed rice. Weed Sci. 56:699706. Chauhan BS, Johnson DE. 2008. Seed germination ecology of purple-leaf button weed (Borreria ocymoides) and Indian heliotrope (Heliotropium indicum): two common weeds of rainfed rice. Weed Sci. 56:670675. Chauhan BS, Johnson DE. 2008. Germination ecology of southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) and India crabgrass (Digitaria longiflora): two important

weeds of rice in the tropics. Weed Sci. 56:722728.

Book

Singleton GR, Joshi RC, Sebastian LS (eds). 2008. Philippine rats: ecology and management. Science City of Muoz, Nueva Ecija: Philippine Rice Research Institute.

Book chapter

Buresh RJ, Reddy KR, van Kessel C. 2008. Nitrogen transformations in submerged soils. In: Schepers JS, Raun WR (eds). Nitrogen in agricultural soils. Agronomy Monograph 49. Madison, WI: ASA, CSSA, and SSSA. p 401436.

For Bangladeshis, rice is their most significant agricultural product and staple food. They receive around three-quarters of their calories from rice. (Photo by A. Malabayabas)

Credits: The authors kindly provided pictures for their articles. Copyright for pictures belongs to the authors. Please direct further correspondence, comments, and contributions to Dr. Grant Singleton IRRC Coordinator International Rice Research Institute DAPO Box 7777 Metro Manila, Philippines E-mail: g.singleton@cgiar.org www.irri.org/irrc This newsletter presents the personal views of individual authors and not necessarily those of IRRI, SDC, or collaborating organizations in the IRRC. Copyright IRRI 2008

Team
Editorial and production tEam
IrrC: Trina Leah Mendoza, Grant Singleton, Lorelei de la Cruz, Jennifer Hernandez CPS: Tess rola, Bill Hardy, Juan Lazaro IV CONTrIBuTING AuTHOrS: Martin Gummert, roland Buresh, rica Joy Flor, r.K. Singh

Rice fields in Iloilo Province are one of the most productive rice-growing areas in the Philippines. (Photo by J. Janiya)