IRRI 🌾

What does the future look like for empowered women in agri-food systems? Hear from Sofia Tesfazion, IRRI’s Regional Director for Africa, on why investing in women is investing in food security, resilience, and sustainable development. ⬇️⬇️

In the media: The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to ripple across global food systems, w/ rice markets emerging as one of the most affected sectors due to disruptions in trade routes, rising energy costs, & tightening input supplies. 🔗bit.ly/40Zoxud

The Odisha govt recognized @IRRI for helping farmers adapt through resilient rice varieties & climate-smart practices. Through the State Disaster Mitigation Fund project, IRRI supported farmers w/ drought-tolerant rice varieties & improved seed systems. 🔗bit.ly/475sEZ8

At the AFS2026, hosted by ADB, a clear message emerged from leaders across CGIAR, devt finance, & the private sector: transforming agri-food systems is not just a question of innovation, but of alignment between science, capital, and partnerships. 🔗 bit.ly/40JOP3k

In the media: Food systems in Asia are at a “turning point,” says the ADB as it advances its $40B investment agenda. Through partnerships, ADB is supporting climate-smart agriculture, resilient rice systems, & nutrition-focused approaches. 🔗bit.ly/4sd3FeK

IRRI recently conducted an orientation and training session on PaddyMitra for members of the Reliance Foundation team in Odisha. This step aims to scale digital agriculture solutions more effectively to farmers. Read more: bit.ly/4cTAM2y

Rice is vital to food security in 🇧🇩, but climate pressures and rising costs are reshaping the sector. The DAE & IRRI, through the TARAPS Project, are scaling climate-smart agriculture, improved varieties, & digital tools to boost yields & resilience. 🔗bit.ly/4uzTlir

The Quezon City Vendors Business School Ordinance, a partnership between CGIAR & the local government, has been recognized as a Gold Awardee at the Gawad Galing Lokal na Batas, celebrating innovative local legislation that empowers informal food vendors. 🔗bit.ly/3Pe44PA

In Vietnam: IRRI—in collaboration with the Tay Ninh Provincial Dept of Agriculture & Rural Dept & the Vietnam Rice Sector Association—organized a techno demo & knowledge-sharing event to support the 1mHa Program in the Mekong River Delta. Learn more: bit.ly/4rfeLyK

👨‍🔬 👩‍🔬 When new challenges emerge, from diseases to nutrition needs, scientists return to the @irri genebank to find the traits that can help develop stronger, more resilient rice for the future 🌾 🔬

CGIAR leadership continues to engage in discussions at the ADB AFS2026 in Manila. @ILRI DG Appolinaire Djikeng shares how CGIAR contributes to the food systems agenda of ADB by connecting science, partnerships, & investment to scale solutions that strengthen food security.

This brief examines how the crisis is affecting rice through 3 channels: disrupted premium basmati trade, energy & freight costs, & growing fertilizer supply risks. While global bulk rice supplies remain ample, premium rice markets are under pressure. 🔗 bit.ly/GlobalRiceMark…

CGIAR leadership joins development partners at the @ADB_HQ Asia & the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026 in Manila. At the Development Partners Roundtable, CGIAR leaders shared perspectives on the major shifts needed across Asia over the next 3–5 years. 📷 Photos courtesy of ADB

In Vietnam: In line with the rollout of the IRRI 2025–2030 Strat, IRRI and the Plant Production and Protection Dept of the Ministry of Agri and Envi recently met to discuss IRRI’s 2026 work plan and its alignment w/ the dept's priority policies Learn more: irri.org/where-we-work/…

Join us on 19 March for the ASEAN-CGIAR Program's open session: From Innovation to Impact: Scaling Regenerative Agriculture, as part of @ADB's #AFS2026 forum. Learn more here: bit.ly/40tFqNg @CGIAR @ASEAN @BiovIntCIAT_eng @CIMMYT @IFPRI @IWMI_ @ILRI @WorldFishCenter

At the UK–ASEAN Symposium on Precision Breeding 2026 in Hanoi, IRRI DG Yvonne Pinto joined experts to discuss how precision breeding tools help national breeding programs to support the devt of climate-resilient, nutritious, and sustainable rice.

Rice Today: A gravity-powered drip irrigation pilot backed by Google is showing how rice farmers can use 57% less water, emit over 80% less methane, & still grow more grain, pointing to a water-positive pathway for rice economies across the Global South. 🔗bit.ly/4sDsYpY

In the media: Targeted investment in direct-seeded rice research could help reshape climate-resilient farming in India, according to a study by the International Rice Research Institute. Read more: bit.ly/4bdSMlz

Climate+, a weather-informed, agro-advisory platform, is set to scale across the agri-food sector. Through partnerships between IRRI & DA RFO 5, Climate+ will play a growing role in enabling Bicol’s smallholder farmers to adapt to a changing climate. 🔗 bit.ly/3Ntqk7u

In Vietnam, @IRRI & @Cipotato help farmers turn rice straw into compost—boosting potato yields, improving soil health, and raising incomes. Using 4R nutrient mgt, farmers also reduce straw burning while producing organic food for school feeding programs. bit.ly/4rneyJS