Gates funding to help poor rice farmers

A United States National Public Radio report in October 2007 visited a field of Sub1 rice grown by Bangladeshi farmer Gobindra, the only person in his village who planted the seed before an 8-day flood hit. After the water subsided, his crop recovered and now every other farmer in Gobindra’s village plans on planting the flood-tolerant variety. A striking time-lapse video showing the relative effects of 10 days’ flooding on a Sub1 rice variety and its non-floodproof counterpart is available at www.irri.org/timelapse.asp.

Even Bangladeshi farmers who were devastated by Cyclone Sidr in November last year —which was so fierce that no rice crop could fully withstand it—can benefit from new varieties with sufficient tolerance of submergence, salinity, and stagnant flooding. Such varieties can mitigate the immediate effects of severe storms and offer yields that will avert hunger until the next harvest.

Several other major donors have signaled their confidence in IRRI’s research. A series of significant grants has recently come from the government of Japan (¥499.5 million—$4.7 million—for flood tolerance in Southeast Asia), Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in combination with the Eiselen Foundation (€1 million—$1.45 million—for salinity tolerance), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development ($1.5 million for sub-Saharan Africa, in partnership with the Africa Rice Center).

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world’s leading rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines, with offices in 13 other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of 15 centers funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies (www.cgiar.org).

About the Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

For information, contact Duncan Macintosh, IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines;
tel: +63-2-580-5600; fax: +63-2-580-5699; email: .

Web sites:
IRRI Home (www.irri.org)
IRRI Library (http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org)
Rice Knowledge Bank (www.knowledgebank.irri.org)