IRRC joins the 2nd International Rice Congress

New Delhi, India—On 9-13 October 2006, the 2nd International Rice Congress 2006 gathered 1,383 rice researchers, farmers, millers, traders, and agriculture ministers, including 400 delegates from 45 countries other than India, the largest assembly of rice workers yet. For about one week, various aspects of rice production, commerce, and international cooperation were discussed.

Some of IRRI's delegates (L-R) Dr. KL Heong, Dr. Grant Singleton, Mr. Gene Hettel, Dr. David Johnson, and Dr. Jill Cairns.

Scientists from the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) participated in the event. In a session on processing, value addition, and storage, Postproduction Work Group leader Martin Gummert presented his paper on Hermetically sealed storage systems for farmers and millers. On the following day, Dr. Roland Buresh, leader of the Productivity and Sustainability Work Group, delivered his paper on Opportunities for increasing efficiency of N, P, and K management for rice during a session on nutrient-use efficiency. Marianne Samson presented a poster on Site-specific nutrient management for rice: principles, practices, tools, and web site.

Dr. Roland Buresh during a press conference.

During the integrated pest management session, Dr. Grant Singleton, IRRC coordinator and rodent specialist, discussed his paper on Ecologically based management to reduce rodent damage to lowland rice crops. Dr. Azmi bin Man of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute and an IRRC collaborator with the Labor Productivity Work Group, delivered his paper on Weed flora landscapes and innovative management in direct-seeded culture.
Over at the International Rice Research Institute exhibit booth, a large IRRC poster was put on display. IRRC brochures (500) and Be aware of weedy rice brochures (1,000) were also made available to congress participants and were gone in no time.

IRRC Coordinator Grant Singleton talks with farmer Bhavneet Singh at the IRRI booth.

Text by Trina Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar.org),
photos by Adam Barclay (a.barclay@cgiar.org)

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