Beijing, China – China has given one of its most prestigious scientific awards to the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for making an "important contribution to improve grain output, agricultural efficiency, and (the) income of farmers."
It is the first time the International Science and Technology Award of the People's Republic of China has been given to an organization rather than an individual. It was presented by China State Councilor Liu Yandong to IRRI Director General Robert S. Zeigler at a special award ceremony in Beijing on Thursday, 5 June 2008.
Higher-yielding rice varieties – which IRRI's scientists helped develop – are grown across China, adding millions of tons to national yields and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in additional income for rice farmers. China's self-sufficiency in rice is crucial for world food security, especially with international rice prices near record highs and rice production under unprecedented pressure.
Since official relations were established in 1981 after initial visits in the late 1970s, IRRI has also helped train and educate hundreds of rice scientists and researchers from China and played a key role in the creation of the China National Rice Research Institute. Today, IRRI coordinates and works on a wide range of scientific projects across China.
It's the second time the Institute's work in China has been recognized with this award. Dr. Gurdev Khush, formerly IRRI's principal plant breeder and head of the Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biochemistry Division, won the same award in 2001 for his contributions to Chinese food security. "The Institute is honored to receive such recognition from China," Dr. Zeigler said.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world's leading rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines, with offices in 13 other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of 15 centers funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies (www.cgiar.org).
For information, contact Adam Barclay, IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines; tel +63-2-580-5600; fax +63-2-580-5699; email a.barclay@cgiar.org.
Web sites:
IRRI Home www.irri.org
IRRI Library http://ricelib.irri.org
Rice Knowledge Bank www.knowledgebank.irri.org
Rice Today magazine www.irri.org/ricetoday