Importance of Rice and IRRI

The History of IRRI and IRRI’s Importance to the Rice Industry
IRRI, the International Rice Research Institute is the heart of Asia’s agricultural research. Established in 1960, IRRI headquarter is located in Los Banos, Philippines, and fourteen other offices are spread throughout different countries of Asia. IRRI carries a significant mission of helping to “feed almost half the world’s population” (“Welcome” IRRI). Because of this, they are also called the “home of the Green Revolution in Asia” (“Welcome” IRRI). To accomplish their mission, they dedicate their time to grow rice that does not need much water, create nutritious rice, and develop methods to produce more rice. It is their firm belief that this will thus decreases diseases, poverty, and starvation.
Rice – One of the World’s Most Important Crops Now and For the Future
The importance of rice is what makes IRRI’s mission meaningful all the more. Rice is life and the base of civilization to more than half the world. For most Asian countries, rice stands at the center of each of their culture. Especially in China, rice would get them occupied all year: “ploughing in spring, weeding in summer, harvesting in autumn and hoarding in winter” (“Rice Culture of China” China Through A Lens). Rice is not only the staple food for Asian countries, but the source for rice products such as rice wine, rice soap, rice cereal, and rice cake. As rice has accompanied people for more than 5000 years, it continues to walk with them to the future.
Rice – From the Field to the Table!
Each grain of rice in people’s bowls has come a long way. The fields have to be plowed, fertilized, smoothed and flooded before transplanting seedlings from the seedling beds to the fields by hand. After that, continuous care such as irrigation is needed during the growing season. Then the fields are drained and the plants are cut and tested. “Before marketing, the rice is threshed to loosen the hulls—mainly by flailing, treading, or working in a mortar—and winnowed free of chaff by tossing it in the air above a sheet or mat” (“Cultivation and Harvesting” Infoplease). Finally it is delivered to supermarkets before moms cook them and place it on the table.
Rice in the Philippines – Its Cultural and Economic Value
Rice, as is for other Asian countries, plays a major role in the Philippine’s culture and economy. Rice is one of the Philippine’s indigenous cuisines, and it is their “primary building block of nutritional health.” (“Cuisine and Fashion” Culture and Customs of the Philippines). They often prayed to their rice gods and gave rice festivals such as the Pahiyas festival. The Philippines was one of the top rice-exporting countries for a long time as it produced so much rice from the Banaue rice terraces. Even though they import rice now, lacking major rivers or deltas, many farmers still make living from rice cultivation.
Summary and Reflection on Our Research and Field Trip


To closely feel the importance of rice and IRRI, Brent students have visited the IRRI headquarter. It must have been a novel experience to most of them. After watching a short film that introduced IRRI and the importance of rice, they went out to the fields to plow the land with water buffalos and transplant seedlings. They had to step into a deep mud pool to do the job, but most students did not mind to ruin their clothes to help them. Then the students visited the IRRI museum that was divided into twelve sections each introducing rice artifacts, farming tools, farm machineries, rice products and by-products, illustrations of rice ecosystems, samples of rice seeds from different parts of the world, replicas of rice granaries, farmers’ clothing, insects that are friendly and harmful to rice, photographs of women rice farmers, and representations of rice biotechnology. As it has been for 50 years, IRRI will continue to contribute to fill the world’s need for rice and thus complete the cultures of half the world.

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The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an organization dedicated to improving rice production and addressing the global challenges related to rice cultivation. Established in 1960, IRRI is headquartered in the Philippines and has several offices located across Asia. Their mission is to help feed almost half of the world's population by developing rice varieties that require less water, are more nutritious, and can be produced in larger quantities.

Rice is one of the world's most important crops, serving as a staple food for more than half of the global population. It holds significant cultural and economic value, particularly in Asian countries where it is deeply ingrained in their traditions and way of life. Rice cultivation involves various stages, including plowing, fertilizing, flooding, transplanting seedlings, and continuous care and irrigation during the growing season. After harvesting, the rice is threshed, winnowed, and delivered to supermarkets before it reaches people's tables.

In the Philippines, rice holds both cultural and economic significance. It is one of their indigenous cuisines and plays a central role in their culinary traditions. Rice festivals and prayers to rice gods are also a part of their cultural practices. Although the Philippines used to be a top rice-exporting country, they now import rice due to factors such as the absence of major rivers or deltas. However, many farmers still rely on rice cultivation for their livelihoods.

Brent students had the opportunity to visit the IRRI headquarters to understand the importance of rice and the work being done by IRRI. They watched a film introducing IRRI and the significance of rice, and then they participated in hands-on activities such as plowing the land and transplanting seedlings. They also visited the IRRI museum, which showcased various rice artifacts, farming tools, rice products, and replicas of rice ecosystems. The field trip provided students with a firsthand experience of the importance of rice and the efforts being made to address global rice challenges.

In summary, rice is a vital crop with cultural, economic, and nutritional significance. IRRI plays a crucial role in researching and developing improved rice varieties to meet the world's growing need for this staple food.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an important organization in the rice industry. It was established in 1960 and is headquartered in the Philippines, with additional offices in various Asian countries. IRRI's mission is to help feed nearly half of the world's population by developing innovative methods to produce more rice, creating nutritious rice varieties, and growing rice that requires less water. This has earned IRRI the title of "home of the Green Revolution in Asia."

Rice, being one of the world's most important crops, plays a vital role in the lives of people around the globe. In many Asian countries, rice is not only the staple food but also an integral part of their culture. It has been cultivated for more than 5000 years and continues to be a significant component of people's lives.

The process of getting rice from the field to the table involves several steps. The fields need to be prepared, seedlings are transplanted, and continuous care is required during the growing season. After harvesting, the rice is threshed to remove the hulls and winnowed to separate the grains from the chaff. Finally, the rice is delivered to supermarkets and cooked by moms before it makes its way to the table.

In the Philippines, rice holds immense cultural and economic value. It is one of their indigenous cuisines and is considered the primary building block of nutritional health. Rice is also associated with festivals and traditional practices, such as praying to rice gods and holding rice festivals like the Pahiyas festival. While the Philippines used to be a major rice-exporting country due to its abundant rice production, it now imports rice. However, many farmers in the country still earn a living from rice cultivation.

To understand the importance of rice and IRRI, students from Brent School visited the IRRI headquarters. They had the opportunity to watch a film that introduced IRRI and the significance of rice. They also participated in hands-on activities such as plowing the land and transplanting seedlings. Additionally, they explored the IRRI museum, which showcased various aspects of rice, including artifacts, farming tools, rice products, and representations of rice ecosystems.

In summary, rice is a crucial crop that sustains and enriches the lives of millions of people. IRRI plays a vital role in research, innovation, and development within the rice industry. By focusing on improving rice production and creating nutritious varieties, IRRI contributes to filling the world's need for rice and supporting the cultures of many countries.

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