“In This Age Of The Internet & Climate Change, What Can IRRI Learn About Global Agriculture? Asking For A Friend!” – Frank A Hilario

I personally know IRRI has the “Riceworld Museum & Learning Center” because my son Paul Benjamin was once its Curator; years earlier, I had graduated from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in whose campus IRRI is located.

I was UPLB Freshman when IRRI was Rice Freshman in 1960 when it was established. I have been in and out of the campus since then, and as a writer & editor, today I want to know about IRRI’s scientific contributions to the rice world in the field of climate change.

Today, IRRI tells me in its website (IRRI, irri.org):

Climate Change & Sustainability

Rice production is both a victim and a contributor to climate change…

At IRRI we develop and adapt climate-responsive solutions, working with extension agents, national research institutions, and governments across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, to promote sustainable rice-based food systems.

First, we help rice farmers adjust to climate change. By leveraging the genetic diversity of the Rice Genebank, the world’s largest repository of rice varieties, we breed rice varieties that can survive unforeseen climate shocks and thrive in marginal environments. We also boost the mitigation of future climate crises by developing new cultivation practices and technologies that minimize greenhouse gas emissions, enhance input-use efficiency, and predict and respond to future climate threats. Finally, we work with governments to provide an evidence base so they can make informed decisions and set policies to meet their development agenda and their SDG contributions. (End of IRRI info sharing in this regard)

IRRI works institutionally “to promote sustainable rice-based food systems” – and thus, it works to breed rice varieties that can “survive unforeseen climate shocks and thrive in marginal environments.”

Good!

“[IRRI also boosts] the mitigation of future climate crises by developing new cultivation practices and technologies that minimize greenhouse gas emissions, enhance input-use efficiency, and predict and respond to future climate threats.”

Also Good!

But Not Good: IRRI mentions its research works on generating “cultivation practices and technologies that minimize greenhouse gas emissions” – but it omits mention of how many/much greenhouse gases (GHGs) are generated by rice chemical agriculture. Why? IRRI cannot mention what it does not work on, is why. And why not? Good question!

IRRI is 62 years old and should have realized at least in 2007 when Al Gore began pounding on our heads the threat of global warming brought about by climate change brought about by, among others, chemical agriculture.

IRRI’s work is “to promote sustainable rice-based food systems” – I say that that is quite inadequate! It should be “to promote regenerative rice-based food systems,” such as via organic farming. However, IRRI hardly talks about organic agriculture, and I found one reason why: “Study: Modern Rice Varieties May Not Be Suited For Organic Agriculture” (Rice Today, ricetoday.irri.org/).

If IRRI wants to be relevant in these climate-change times, it must breed rices suited to put a stop to GHGs from chemically enriched ricefields. Otherwise, IRRI’s research is all gas!@517