International Rice Research Institute

We are the International Rice Research Institute, but many people know us by our acronym, IRRI. Our story is deeply connected to one of the world's most important foods: rice. For more than half of all people on Earth, rice is the main food they eat every day. Our work began in 1960, when two organizations, the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, came together to establish us in the Philippines. From the very beginning, our purpose has been clear. As a non-profit research organization, we use the power of science to improve rice and to support the millions of farmers who grow it. Our mission is not just about agriculture; it's about helping to feed the world and reduce hunger and poverty. Every project we undertake is guided by this central goal, ensuring that our discoveries can make a real difference in people's lives.

In the 1960s, our mission faced an urgent test. Across many parts of Asia, the population was growing quickly, and food supplies were struggling to keep up. The threat of severe hunger and famine was a serious concern for millions of families. Our first major challenge was to find a way to grow much more rice on the same amount of land. Our scientists and researchers worked tirelessly, and in 1966, we introduced a new rice variety that would change agriculture. It was called IR8. This rice was different from traditional varieties, which were often tall and would fall over when they became heavy with grain, a problem that ruined harvests. IR8 had a short, sturdy stalk that could support many more grains of rice without collapsing, especially when farmers used fertilizer to help it grow. Because it could produce so much more food, some people called it 'miracle rice.' This breakthrough was a key part of a period known as the Green Revolution, a time when new farming technologies helped dramatically increase food supplies and prevent widespread famine.

Our success with IR8 showed how much of a difference science could make, but we knew our work was far from over. Increasing the amount of rice was a critical first step, but we soon realized that our research needed to expand. Our focus shifted from just producing more grains to producing better, stronger, and more reliable rice. We began to develop new varieties designed to solve a wider range of problems that farmers face. This includes creating rice that can naturally resist common diseases and pests, which means farmers can use fewer harmful chemicals. We also work on creating rice that can survive extreme weather, which is becoming more common. For example, we have developed varieties that can withstand periods of drought with little water, and others that can survive being completely underwater after a flood. We also look for ways to make rice more nutritious. Beyond developing new types of rice, we have a vital responsibility to protect its future. We run the International Rice Genebank, which is like a giant, highly protected library for seeds. It safely stores samples of over 130,000 different rice varieties from all over the world, preserving this incredible genetic diversity for future generations of scientists and farmers.

Developing amazing new rice varieties in our laboratories is important, but it doesn't help anyone if that knowledge stays with us. The next essential step is to share our discoveries and teach new skills to the people who grow the world's food. A huge part of our work involves education and training. We host scientists, researchers, and agricultural workers from countries around the globe at our headquarters. They come to learn the latest scientific techniques and farming strategies, and then they return to their home countries to share that knowledge with others. We also work directly with farming communities to introduce sustainable farming methods. This means teaching practices that are good for the environment and for the farmers themselves. For instance, we show farmers how to use less water to grow their crops, which is vital in areas where water is scarce. We also promote techniques that require fewer chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These methods not only help protect the environment but also help farmers save money and improve their harvests, which contributes to a better life for them and their families.

Today, our mission to use rice science to build a better world is more important than it has ever been. The world's population continues to grow, meaning we will need to produce more food in the coming decades. At the same time, climate change presents new and difficult challenges for farmers everywhere, from rising temperatures to more unpredictable weather patterns. To meet these challenges, we are using modern science in powerful new ways. Our research now involves genetics and advanced breeding techniques to develop what we call 'climate-smart' rice. These are new varieties specifically designed to be tough and resilient, able to thrive in a changing world. Our ultimate goal has remained the same since 1960: to use science to ensure that everyone has enough food to eat, to help farming communities prosper, and to do all of this in a way that protects our planet for the future. The story of rice is the story of people, and we are dedicated to making that story a hopeful one.