Rice - adron.sr

contentsEDITORIAL ................................................................ 4…But what has IRRI done for the world lately?NEWS ......................................................................... 5Flood-proof riceA more powerful and efficient engine for riceInternational rice industry to gather in IndiaGM rice turmoilA greener rice industryRice domesticated at least twiceVietnam export planAfrican rice newsPUTTING RICE ON THE AFRICAN AGENDA ........... 16The recent Africa Rice Congress in Tanzania helpedchart the course for the future of the rice industry insub-Saharan AfricaCONSERVING THE FUTURE .................................... 18As India’s rice-wheat belt grapples with decliningsoil health and water tables, a vanguard of young,innovative farmers and researchers is leading a newapproach that could hold the key to reversing theregion’s waning productivitySNAPSHOT .............................................................. 24Rice in harm’s wayPEOPLE ..................................................................... 8AchievementsKeeping up with IRRI staff2006 IRRI reunion brings together past,present, and futureBOOKS ...................................................................... 9BRINGING HOPE, IMPROVING LIVES ..................... 10Rice feeds roughly half the planet’s population andapproximately three-quarters of a billion of theworld’s poorest people depend on the staple tosurvive. A carefully focused agenda for continuedresearch on this vital crop is as important as ever.FROM GENES TO FARMERS’ FIELDS ...................... 28The practical application of gene discovery to developsubmergence-tolerant rice will help farmers avoidthe ravages of severe floodingIdentifying the submergence-tolerance geneThe mechanics of submergence toleranceTHE QUIET ACHIEVER ............................................ 32Recently retired rice scientist VethaiyaBalasubramanian has spent his life helpingpeople—and he’s not going to let retirementstop himBREEDING HISTORY ............................................... 34Forty years ago, a remarkable rice-breeding projectculminated in the release of a rice variety under anunremarkable name—IR8. This is the story of theresearch that would ultimately change the face ofagriculture across Asia.DONORS CORNER ................................................... 47Innovative research and extension are the keyto agricultural development: Korea’s RuralDevelopment Agency’s efforts over the last 100years have helped Korea achieve self-sufficiency inrice and other staple foodsRICE FACTS .............................................................. 48Asia and sub-Saharan Africa: rice in numbersKey information on rice situation, poverty, health,and malnutritionGRAIN OF TRUTH .................................................... 50How many rice varieties are there?I REMEMBER HONDA RICE ..................................... 39How the first Green Revolution rice variety—IR8—influenced life and death in the Mekong Deltaduring the Vietnam WarENVIRONMENT ....................................................... 45Thinking outside the boxAs society accepts the reality of global climatechange and begins to prepare for it, we need thetools to predict the risks we should expectOn the cover:An Indian farmerwith a bumper IR8harvest in 1967(see pages 34-38).cover photo IRRI filespublisher Duncan Macintosheditor Adam Barclayart director Juan Lazaro IVdesigner and production supervisor George Reyescontributing editors Gene Hettel, Bill Hardynews editor Juanito Goloyugophoto editor Ariel Javellanaphoto researcher Jose Raymond Panaligancirculation Chrisanto Quintanaprinter Primex Printers, Inc.Rice Today is published by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the world’sleading international rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines and withoffices in 14 other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused onimproving 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 of15 centers funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research(CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies. For more information, visitthe CGIAR Web site (www.cgiar.org).Responsibility for this publication rests with IRRI. Designations used in this publicationInternational Rice Research InstituteDAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, PhilippinesWeb (IRRI): www.irri.orgWeb (Library): http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.orgWeb (Rice Knowledge Bank): www.knowledgebank.irri.orgRice Today editorialtelephone (+63-2) 580-5600 or (+63-2) 844-3351 to 53, ext 2725;fax: (+63-2) 580-5699 or (+63-2) 845-0606; email: a.barclay@cgiar.orgshould not be construed as expressing IRRI policy or opinion on the legal status of anycountry, territory, city or area, or its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers orboundaries.Rice Today welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. Potential contributorsare encouraged to query first, rather than submit unsolicited materials. Rice Todayassumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited submissions, which shouldbe accompanied by sufficient return postage.Copyright International Rice Research Institute 2006