IRRI, RP aggie agencies map out collaboration

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Philippine government agencies involved in rice research and technology promotion recently identified new priority areas of collaboration in 2007 to 2009 where greater impact can be achieved.

The meeting was attended by scientists of IRRI, PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute), PCARRD (Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development), UP Los Baños, Department of Agriculture and other national agencies.

Notable among those who attended the Philippines-IRRI work plan meeting were: IRR director general Dr. Robert S. Zeigler, PhilRice executive director Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, UPLB chancellor Dr. Luis Rey I. Velasco, PCARRD executive director Dr. Patricio S. Faylon, DA-ATI director Asterio Saliot, IRRI deputy director general for operations and support services Dr. William G. Padolina, and IRRI deputy director general for research Dr. Ren Wang.

In the past, IRRI and PhilRice have been collaborating with each in various research projects and technology promotion activities.  Scientists of the two agencies have been meeting every year to discuss theprogress of their collaboration, thresh out issues that may have cropped up in their collaboration, and agree on possibilities of new areas of collaboration.

For the succeeding years, other agencies like PCARRD and some Department of Agriculture agencies have signified their interest to join PhilRice in collaborating with IRRI. 

Among the areas of collaboration agreed upon during the meeting was the enhanced commitment of IRRI to train Filipino scientists on rice science, both degree and non-degree oriented.

It was also agreed that the Philippines and IRRI will   conduct technology forums in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.  During the forums scientists from IRRI and PhilRice will brief officials of the DA regional field units, provincial and local government units, provincial agriculturists and municipal agriculturists on technology updates.  Hopefully, the briefings will enable officials of DA field units and LGUs to get abreast with new developments in agricultural technology. 

The participants believe that this will be a faster way of disseminating the new rice technology to decision makers and technology promoters in the field.

They also mapped out new joint research activities in various areas even as IRRI and PhilRice in the past have been conducting collaborative researches.  This time, other agencies will also participate in the research projects.

At the same time, they reviewed the progress of past collaborations and formulated ways and means to improve their relationship.

 

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