Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. met with the officials of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños to further enhance the partnership between the two agencies and look for possible opportunities of strategic collaboration to the development of Philippine rice industry.
During the meeting, held on March 6, IRRI Senior Scientist (Geospatial Science and Research) Alice Laborte presented new technologies currently being developed by the institute. The innovations seek to produce high-yielding rice varieties that are nutritious, climate-resilient, and emits low carbon, thereby contributing to the sustainability, nutritional value, and financial competitiveness of local rice farming.
Secretary Tiu Laurel expressed his eagerness to continue cooperation with IRRI and the University of the Philippines in Los Baños.
On February 13, DA and IRRI signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate scientific and technical collaboration in support of enhancing competitiveness of the Philippine rice industry.
The meeting was attended by IRRI’s Board of Trustees, led by Interim Director General Ajay Kohli, and other senior officials. ### (photos by Joseph Henry Elamparo, DA-AFID)
