www.irri.org International Rice Research Institute riceTODAY January-March 2016, Vol.15 No.1

The next steps in IRRI's journey

Hats off to a master juggler Revisiting the “Killing Fields” Home among the heirlooms Genebank tourism

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Innovations for a better world. 2 Rice Today January-March 2016 Editorials 4 riceTODAY Vol. 15, No. 1 6 Imperial Couple's visit to IRRI underscores Japan's commitment to world food security 7 USD 10-million facility for studying climate change effects on plant growth opens at IRRI 8 Mahabub Hossain (1945-2016) dedicated his life to world's poor 9 Books 10 Growing hope with Green Super Rice 12 Hats off to a master juggler

CONTENTS 14 What’s cooking: Risotto carbonara with Innawi rice 16 Home among the heirlooms 18 Maps: Defining flood-prone rice areas in West Africa 22 Revisiting the “Killing Fields” 30 years later 30 A SMART choice for Africa’s inland-valley rice farmers About the cover 32 Picking the brain of IRRI collaborating scientist Michael Purugganan Matthew Morell, IRRI's new director general, says the Rice Today around the world institute is in a great position to forge ahead. "Our 35 mission is compelling and our work is paramount," Is the global rice market headed for a repeat of the 2007-08 he says. "Our journey is not just a challenge of 36 technology, but of humanity," See his guest editorial rice price crisis? on page 5. (Photo by Isagani Serrano, IRRI) 39 Grain of truth: Genebank tourism

Rice Today is published by the International Rice Research Institute Rice Today Editorial Board (IRRI) on behalf of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP). IRRI is the world’s leading international rice research and training Bas Bouman, GRiSP center. Based in the Philippines and with offices located in major rice- Matthew Morell, IRRI growing countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on Eduardo Graterol, Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving Marco Wopereis, Africa Rice Center natural resources. It is one of the 15 nonprofit international research Mary Jacqueline Dionora, IRRI centers that are members of the CGIAR consortium (www.cgiar.org). Osamu Koyama, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Responsibility for this publication rests with IRRI. Designations used Erna Maria Lokollo, Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Dev. in this publication should not be construed as expressing IRRI policy or Pradeep Kumar Sharma, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University opinion on the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or its Gonzalo Zorrilla, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Rice Today welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. The editor-in-chief Gene Hettel opinions expressed by columnists in Rice Today do not necessarily reflect the views of IRRI or GRiSP. managing editor Lanie Reyes associate editor Alaric Francis Santiaguel Africa editor Savitri Mohapatra International Rice Research Institute Latin America editor Neil Palmer DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines copy editor Bill Hardy Web: ricetoday.irri.org art director Juan Lazaro IV designer and production supervisor Grant Leceta Rice Today editorial photo editor Isagani Serrano telephone: (+63-2) 580-5600 or (+63-2) 844-3351 to 53, ext 2725; circulation Antonette Abigail Caballero, Cynthia Quintos fax: (+63-2) 580-5699 or (+63-2) 845-0606; email: [email protected], web master Jerry Laviña [email protected] printer Primex Printers, Inc.

International Rice Research Institute 2016 This magazine is copyrighted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License (Unported). Unless otherwise noted, users are free to copy, duplicate, or reproduce, and distribute, display, or transmit any of the articles or portions of the articles, and to make translations, adaptations, or other derivative works under specific conditions. To view the full text of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/.

Rice Today January-March 2016 3 Fond farewell

ith my retirement looming after more than 22 years at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), this is my last issue of Rice Today as editor-in-chief. A staff member on the Wmagazine since its debut in April 2002, I have served as a contributing writer, Asia editor, and finally, since January 2014, editor-in-chief. Over the last 14 years, I’ve worked with a great, PHOTO BY JESSIECA NARCISO, IRRI continually evolving—and award-winning—team of writers, editors, designers, and photographers (photo). Together, we have witnessed the magazine’s growth as it Also in the Philippines, the Department of Agricul- has become the institute’s flagship publication. Certainly, ture’s Heirloom Rice Project, which has strong support being part of this magazine’s team has been the pinnacle of from IRRI, is making great strides in empowering the my time at IRRI. farmers who grow these tasty traditional rice varieties in We have a fascinating set of stories and commentaries the northern Cordilleras region. The article, Home among in this issue. Be sure to read the guest editorial (next page) the heirlooms on pages 16-17, expounds on the experiences in which Matthew Morell, IRRI’s ninth director general, of one farmer who has been able to maintain her ancestral sets the stage for building further the institute’s compelling farm as a profitable venture by growing the exotic purple- mission and cutting-edge research that is paramount to colored rice from the region called Balatinaw. alleviating poverty in the world. We feature a pearly-white heirloom rice, called Innawi, IRRI is not the only rice research center experiencing in our What’s cooking recipe on pages 14-15. It is the main major change in 2016. After more than 8 years leading the ingredient of a delicious dish, Risotto carbonara, prepared by Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) as deputy director general none other than Margarita ‘Gaita’ Forés, executive chef for and director of research for development, Marco Wopereis a number of restaurants in the Philippines. She has been will be taking the helm of The World Vegetable Center named Asia’s Best Female Chef for 2016. in Taiwan this coming April. On pages 12-13, read about In addition to having celebrity chefs, we also have Marco’s significant contributions to rice research and celebrity scientists. On pages 32-34, read an entertaining development in Africa in Hats off to a master juggler. interview with Michael Purugganan, IRRI collaborator and Staying in Africa, find out about a ’SMART’ choice reluctant rock star scientist. He talks about making science for Africa’s inland-valley rice farmers on pages 30-31. These and scientists approachable, his creative process, and the inland valleys are increasingly being considered as the GMO debate. He also has some good advice for young continent’s future food basket. And in our map section researchers. on pages 18-19, see how AfricaRice researchers are using On pages 36-38, Sam Mohanty, IRRI’s senior economist, satellite images to define flood-prone rice areas in West examines whether or not the global rice market is headed Africa. Doing so will help provide a more efficient and for a repeat of the 2007-08 rice price crisis, which today effective introduction of new flood-tolerant Sub1 varieties seems like a distant memory. Market players will need to to the region’s farmers. keep cool to avoid duplicating that turbulent time. Onward to Asia, January 2016 marks the 30th anniver- And finally, on page 39, Michael Jackson, former head sary of IRRI’s post-war involvement in a remarkable of IRRI’s Genetic Resources Center, introduces a new term: episode in agricultural history. I’m referring to the “genebank tourism.” He sees this interesting concept as rebuilding of Cambodia after the horrendous genocide being an important tool to spread the good word about the of the “Killing Fields” in that Southeast Asian country strategic importance of genetic conservation. (1975-79). Glenn Denning told this amazing story during I now pass on the reins of Rice Today to the capable my latest IRRI Pioneer Interview featured on pages 22-29. hands of Lanie Reyes (to my left in photo), long-time Glenn, who spent 18 years at IRRI, points out that what was contributor to the magazine, most recently as managing achieved there over the last three decades is a compelling editor. She has proven to be truly enthusiastic about example about why genetic conservation and human accurately reporting on the significance of this staple that is capacity are so critical to agricultural development. so important to nearly half the world’s population. n Moving on to another Southeast Asian nation, see on pages 10-11 how Filipino farmers are recovering from another kind of disaster that was Typhoon Haiyan. This powerful storm devastated the island of Leyte a little more than 2 years ago. Green Super Rice is giving many of them Gene Hettel a fighting chance to rebuild their families’ livelihoods. Editor-in-chief The next steps in IRRI's journey

his issue of Rice Today harness our collective signifies many new passion and creativity to beginnings for IRRI. find the path forward. As I begin my term Current international asT the institute’s director events remind us that the general and reflect on world faces challenging the legacies of IRRI’s past times. We see migration and opportunities that lie crises across the globe. ahead, it would be remiss We see political unrest, if I did not recognize those conflicts, and wars. We who came before me. struggle with economic It is said that we stand stringencies. We see on the shoulders of giants. science and economics When I reflect on the under attack from those directors general of IRRI, who express opinions as PHOTO BY ISAGANI SERRANO, IRRI from Robert Chandler, Jr., though they were facts. to Robert Zeigler, it is striking how each director general As we navigate through these uncertainties of an ever- took an individual approach to leading the development changing operating environment, IRRI must continue of the organization and shepherded the delivery of its to retool, evolve, and differentiate as an organization to mandate during their terms. Yet, through this history, advance our mission. IRRI has retained a consistent focus on our mission and There are many paths to differentiation for IRRI vision. My approach will necessarily and frequently differ such as leveraging developments in biology, leveraging from my predecessors’ approach, but our focus on our information and computing technology, influencing core mission will remain. policies, building novel partnerships with those who I pay particular tribute to Bob, my immediate share our values for delivery and adoption, and providing predecessor, who was at the helm during one of the comprehensive solutions tailored to local needs. IRRI is most successful periods in IRRI’s history. I have been in in an excellent position to forge ahead. We have a deep the unusual position of coming into the organization as history with an enviable track record of delivery and deputy director general for research, and so I have had a impact, a pipeline of science and technologies to deploy, unique opportunity to work closely with Bob. I saw first- riches in our germplasm and tools, strongly supportive hand his passion, his commitment, and his vision for the donors and connections, a passionate and talented organization. His mentorship and wisdom have been of workforce, and an extraordinary global network of incredible value. partners. But, in 7–10 years’ time, the assessment of that There is a great sense of humility at being the time must not be that all was done was to exploit these custodian of this wonderful institution as it continues gifts. IRRI must build on this legacy to renew itself in all its critical journey. IRRI has an irrefutable mandate to areas. We must surprise our stakeholders and partners address global imperatives to lift people out of poverty and surprise ourselves. and hunger, enhance nutrition and health, and ensure I look forward to engaging with the beneficiaries of environmental sustainability. Our mission is compelling our work across the globe, our donor community, our and our work is paramount. We serve hundreds of broader network of partners, and our staff as we embark millions of rice farmers. A billion people rely directly on on the many futures of IRRI to achieve our shared the livelihoods generated by those farms; a further two commitment to a common good. Through Rice Today, billion rely on rice as a critical part of their diet, in which IRRI’s flagship publication, we aim to illustrate further rice provides not just calories but essential nutrients for impacts of our work and collaborative efforts to improve health and well-being. In so many areas of the world, rice the lives of the one billion, and also share their compelling is much more than a commodity—it is part of the fabric of stories that remind us why we do what we do. n life. Our journey is not just a challenge of technology—it is a journey of humanity. For a science organization, our mandate comes close to being a sacred commitment of a secular organization. There is no room to be less than Matthew Morell successful, there is no time to waste, there are never Director General enough resources to smooth the way, and we have to International Rice Research Institute THEIR MAJESTIES Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the LTCCE view deck with Yoichiro Kato. (Photo by Isagani Serrano, IRRI) Imperial Couple’s visit to IRRI underscores Japan’s commitment to world food security

by Alaric Santiaguel

OS BAÑOS, Philippines – Their Japanese scientists on the IRRI descendant was Jinmu, the legendary Majesties Emperor Akihito and staff interacted with the Imperial first emperor of Japan. Emperor Jinmu Empress Michiko received an Couple. was tasked with turning Japan into a overview of the International Takashi Yamano discussed the land of rice. Japan’s emperors became LRice Research Institute (IRRI) and institute’s contributions to the Green priest-kings whose functions revolved the institute’s vibrant partnership Revolution. “They asked many around the rice crop. with Japan during a short visit to its questions about rice production Japan’s creation myths were about headquarters on 29 January. and our contribution to increasing “the transformation of a wilderness IRRI Director General Matthew rice seeds and reducing rice prices,” into a land of abundant rice at the Morell presented the institute’s Yamano said. “They were very command of the Sun Goddess, goals, financial supporters, and interested in our work.” whose descendants, the emperors, some prominent Japanese scientists Keiichi Hayashi showcased rule the country by officiating at rice who have been associated with the Japan’s contributions to IRRI over the rituals,” said Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney, a institute. past decades. “They were curious Japanese anthropologist and authority Emperor Akihito and Empress about various stresses being caused on its rice1. Michiko were briefed by V. Bruce J. by climate change that affect rice,” As Jinmu’s 125th direct heir, Tolentino, deputy director general for Hayashi said. Emperor Akihito is currently Japan’s communication and partnerships, on The Imperial Couple visited the rice-farmer-in-chief, according to some of the improved rice varieties Long-term Continuous Cropping Ohnuki-Tierney. Emperor Akihito developed at IRRI. “Their Majesties Experiment (LTCCE) where Yoichiro has maintained his ties to rice. Every expressed special interest in IRRI’s Kato explained the importance of the year, he plants and harvests rice at work on climate change-ready rice, world’s longest-running rice research the paddy on the Imperial Palace particularly submergence-tolerant project. “They were quite surprised grounds, a tradition started by his rice,” Tolentino reported. “They that we have been planting rice at late father, Emperor Showa, in 1927. also seemed pleased about the the LTCCE three times a year,” Kato The Japan-IRRI partnership long-term relationship IRRI has said. “In Japan, farmers usually plant dates back to 1960 when IRRI was had with the Japan International only one crop a year. They were very established. Since then, Japan has Research Center for Agricultural interested in the different effects of provided leadership to IRRI with a Sciences (JIRCAS), and that the fertilizer and pests on rice plants. Her representative on the IRRI board of institute has always had a Japanese Majesty was particularly keen on salt- trustees. The government of Japan national on its board of trustees since tolerant rice.” has been one of IRRI’s most generous its founding in 1960.” Rice played a significant role in financial supporters, having given a JIRCAS has through the years the creation of Japan. According to total of more than USD 211 million sent several Japanese scientists to Japanese mythology, Amaterasu, a ma- since 1971. n work on collaborative projects at jor deity of the Shinto religion and the IRRI, under a special contribution Sun Goddess and the universe gifted Mr. Santiaguel is an associate editor of from the Japanese government. one of her descendants with rice. That Rice Today.

1 Tochikubo. (2009, December). Rice in Japan: You are what you eat. The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/15108648

6 Rice Today January-March 2016 USD 10-million facility for studying climate change effects on plant PARTICIPATING IN the plaque unveiling for growth opens at IRRI the PGF (inset) were (from left): Fernando Sanchez, Jr., Matthew Morell, Amanda Gorely, John Evans, and Mellissa Wood. Photo by Gene Hettel, inset by Isagani by Gene Hettel Serrano, IRRI)

n a hot, breezy afternoon on 21 Baños (UPLB); Amanda Gorely, partners. “ACIAR encourages January 2016, an international ambassador of Australia to the Australian scientists to use their gathering of agricultural Philippines; Mellissa Wood, skills for the benefit of developing scientists and development general manager of ACIAR’s global countries and Australia,” she said. “It Oofficials dedicated the Lloyd T. operations; and John R. Evans, head is a valuable outcome that I think is Evans Plant Growth Facility (PGF) of the Division of Plant Sciences, beautifully exemplified by Dr. Lloyd on the campus of the International Australian National University and Evans himself.” Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The son of Lloyd T. Evans. Dr. Evans, who followed in opening of the USD 10 million state- Dr. Sanchez said he believes his father’s footsteps as a plant of-the-art facility manifests IRRI’s that the PGF will change the lives scientist, spoke on behalf of the commitment to better understand of generations of people worldwide. Evans family. “It is a great honor and the effects of climate change on He added that the completion of a real personal thrill to be invited plant growth in the ongoing effort to the facility shows what cooperation to the opening of this facility,” he achieve food and nutrition security and partnership can achieve. said. “When my father was a board for future generations across the “IRRI has been a steady partner in member here at IRRI, he encouraged globe. many of UPLB’s agricultural and evidence- and research-based The Australian government, scientific endeavors,” he pointed decision making rather than gut through the Australian Centre for out. “It is a partnership that has feelings passed on in a traditional International Agricultural Research grown in importance as we have way.” He said that the PGF will (ACIAR), a major partner of IRRI, made headway in our efforts to carry on this model as it enhances funded the PGF named after Lloyd T. achieve food security, not only in the researchers’ ability to capitalize on Evans (1927-2015), a world-renowned Philippines, but in other areas of the the fantastic advances of molecular Australian plant physiologist who developing world.” biology and genome sequencing. also served as a member of the IRRI Ambassador Gorley pointed out After unveiling of the board of trustees (1984-89). that, since 1983, Australia, through commemorative plaque, Abdelbagi During the dedication rites, IRRI ACIAR, has provided significant Ismail, IRRI’s acting deputy director Director General Matthew Morell said assistance to the Philippines to general for research, led guests that, as a tax-paying Australian, he support agricultural research aimed and IRRI staff on a tour of the PGF, was happy to see his tax dollars put at achieving food security in the which contains eight controlled- to excellent work. He added that the country. “The Australian government environment glasshouses, a large PGF will contribute greatly to IRRI’s is acutely aware of the importance of set of controlled-environment plant breeding efforts, not only for rice for more than 3.5 billion people walk-in and reach-in plant growth irrigated rice, but also for the rainfed worldwide,” she said. “ACIAR and chambers, plant processing and and unfavorable environments where IRRI have worked closely on many potting laboratories, and a large seed the poorest and most underprivileged projects over the years, such as the processing and storage setup. It also people live and where climate change construction of the PGF, to reduce features optimum environment- will inflict its most dire effects. “It is poverty through rice science.” friendly management support not just a building for great science, Ms. Wood said the research systems that employ rainwater but a building for great outcomes,” he partnerships that ACIAR builds with capture and storage, natural predicted. organizations, such as IRRI, reflect ventilation, and other energy-saving Special guests on hand for not only Australian aid priorities technologies. n the dedication included Fernando and the country’s national research Sanchez, Jr., chancellor of the strengths, but also the agricultural Mr. Hettel is editor-in-chief ofRice University of the Philippines Los priorities of developing country Today.

Rice Today January-March 2016 7 uring his 2004). “He was a major 15-year stint contributor to IRRI’s at IRRI, the Mahabub Hossain success during his renowned tenure at the Institute.” BangladeshiD economist (1945-2016) David Dawe, and colleague and former colleague at friend to us all dedicated his life to IRRI and currently served in a dual role senior economist as a researcher and the world’s poor at FAO, said, “The administrative head world has lost a great of SSD. His research by Gene Hettel researcher and mentor. at IRRI centered His dedication to around socioeconomic helping the poor will studies on rice supply always be a source of and demand trends inspiration. Even after in Asia, constraints he could have retired, PHOTO BY ARIEL JAVELLANA, IRRI ARIEL JAVELLANA, BY PHOTO to increasing rice he worked so hard to productivity, Mahabub Hossain, former head of the Social Sciences Division push this work further. understanding rural (SSD, 1992-2007) at the International Rice Research Institute The world could use livelihood systems, and (IRRI), passed away on 3 January 2016, one day after his a lot more people like the impact of improved 71st birthday, while undergoing heart bypass surgery at the him.” rice technologies on Cleveland Clinic in the United States. Dr. Hossain poverty reduction. earned his Bachelor Prior to coming to of Arts (with honors) IRRI in 1992, Dr. Hossain began his Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC in Economics at the University of career in 1970 as a staff economist founder and chairperson and Calcutta in 1966. He did his Masters at the Bangladesh Institute of 2015 World Food Prize Laureate, of Arts in Economics at the University Development Studies and rose said of Dr. Hossain, “Very few of Dhaka in 1969. He earned a through the ranks to become its people globally had the depth of Diploma in Development Economics director general during 1988-91. understanding of development at the University of Cambridge, In 2007, he retired from IRRI to issues like him. His life was a story England, in 1973 and a PhD in become the executive director of of success against all odds. During Economics at Cambridge in 1977. the Bangladesh Rural Development his time at BRAC, he had a persistent Dr. Hossain published scores Committee (BRAC), one of the largest focus on creating opportunities for of research articles in international NGOs in the world, to address the the poor.” journals. Some of his seminal books challenge of the re-emergence of food “As an inspiring figure, his loss (with others) include: Asian rice bowls: insecurity in Bangladesh. will be irreplaceable,” said Sudhir a returning crisis?, Rice research in Asia: He was most recently distin- Chandra Nath, program head for progress and prospects, Impact of rice guished professor and chairperson BRAC’s Seed and Agro Enterprise. research in Asia; Strategy of development of the Department of Economics and “He will be forever remembered in Bangladesh, and Rural economy and Social Sciences at BRAC University, for his brilliance in articulation livelihoods: insights from Bangladesh. advisor to the BRAC executive of macroeconomic analysis, his In his 2007 Pioneer Interview director, a member of the board of path-breaking research work, his before departing IRRI (see Pushing governance at Bangladesh Agricultur- leadership in agricultural innovation, things forward on pages 26-29 of Rice al University, president of the Asian and above all his deep empathy for Today, Volume 6, No. 3), he stated, Society of Agricultural Economists, marginalized people of the world.” “The challenge is how to meet the and a member of the Global Panel on “We have lost a great stalwart in demand for rice. Every input is Agriculture and Food Systems for our profession,” said Sam Mohanty, scarce and, as long as the population Nutrition. current head of IRRI SSD, who continues to increase at an alarming Muhammad Yunus, 2006 succeeded Mahabub in 2008. “He was rate, that challenge remains.” On Nobel laureate, said of Dr. Hossain, a champion for the empowerment of taking early retirement from IRRI “His contributions in the field of the small and marginal farmers in in 2007, he said, “I am going back economics and agricultural research Bangladesh and throughout South to my country to share what I have were groundbreaking and far and Southeast Asia.” learned.” That he did—in a grand reaching. He was the first scholar to “Mahabub was an excellent way! n study the Grameen Bank and produce scientist and had a sincere interest in a highly demanded research paper on the world’s poor,” said Ron Cantrell, Mr. Hettel is editor-in-chief ofRice the impact of the bank.” former IRRI director general (1998- Today.

8 Rice Today January-March 2016 books Combating hunger and achieving food security problem of hunger is not simply a lack of sufficient quantities by M.S. Swaminathan of food. The chronic hunger caused by protein and calorie under-nutrition is exacerbated by malnutrition (the ‘hidden’ Published by Cambridge University Press, 183 pages hunger caused by the deficiency of micronutrients, which include iron, iodine, zinc, vitamin A, and he issues that need to be addressed vitamin B12), and sometimes by human in combating hunger and achieving diseases that disable the body’s ability to Tfood security are highlighted in this absorb the micronutrients it receives. To book by a great Indian geneticist. It also address such intertwined problems, there discusses the major causes of chronic and must be synergy among national programs hidden hunger and emphasizes the need dealing with the availability, access to, and to redesign the farming system based on absorption of food. These nutrition security nutritional considerations. The role of an programs should be based on a life-cycle effective monsoon management program approach that starts with the ‘first 1,000 to maximize its benefits is examined. days’ from pregnancy to two years old, the critical period when stunting can cause There are chapters that analyze the irreversible damage.” importance of biodiversity conservation and enhancement and farmer skill The book concludes that there must be development. Important issues to synergy between scientific knowledge, increase agricultural production including political will and farmers’ active investment by financial institutions participation to achieve the goal of in agriculture and rural development, overcoming chronic and hidden hunger in women’s role in agriculture and youth the populations of developing countries. n employment in rural livelihoods are discussed in great detail in the text. To view the table of contents, sample some chapters, and get ordering instructions, go to http://tinyurl. Dr. Swaminathan, former director general of the International com/Swaminathan-combating-hunger Rice Research Institute (1982-88), writes in the preface: “The

Otsuka, former chair of the board of In pursuit of an African Green trustees of the International Rice Research Revolution: Views from rice and Institute (2004-07) and Larson found maize farmers’ fields that the same technological package significantly increases the productivity and by Keijiro Otsuka and Donald F. Larson profitability of rice farming in rainfed areas as well. They also have some evidence that Published by Springer, 208 pages. effective management training can boost productivity of smallholder farms. The Could the Green Revolution, which authors conclude that African governments improved the agricultural productivity could accelerate the pace of Africa’s Rice and economic development of many Revolution by strengthening extension Asian countries, also happen in Africa? capacity. Can an African Green Revolution raise the incomes of smallholder farmers and With the increasing importance of rice as eradicate poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa a staple crop in Africa, the authors believe (SSA)? the success of rice can serve as a model for green revolutions in other food crops. This book attempts to answer these They also note that, while worldwide the questions through recent experiences to number of rural poor has fallen in recent bring about a Green Revolution in SSA. It decades, those in SSA are increasing. focuses on rice and maize, which are promising and strategic Therefore, involving smallholder farmers in scaling up a Green crops for smallholder farmers. Significantly, an African Rice Revolution in Africa will be important part of its success. n Revolution has already begun in many irrigated areas, using Asian-type modern varieties, chemical fertilizer, and improved For a free preview and information about obtaining a copy of this management practices, according to the authors. book, go to http://www.springer.com/us/book/9784431556923

Rice Today January-March 2016 9 Growing hope with

Leyte Green Super Rice

by Paula Bianca Ferrer

More than two years after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the island of Leyte in the Philippines, the survivors, especially the farmers, are still struggling to rebuild their lives. Green Super Rice (GSR) is giving them a fighting chance.

hen Typhoon Haiyan feel like crying whenever I think of struck Leyte Island in what we’ve been through.” the central Philippines in November 2013, parts of Lost livelihoods Wthe house of Nemesio Retales were Destruction was everywhere, Mr. destroyed, with the roof being torn Montano vividly recalled: “Before off. Mr. Retales, a farmer and village the storm, the trees, especially the councilor for a farming community coconuts, were so thick and lush one within the island’s southern could hardly see the sunlight coming municipality of Dagami, recalled, “I through their leaves. Now, these lush rushed inside our room to fetch my trees are either uprooted or mangled.” wife. Seconds later, a coconut tree Although some survivors are now fell down onto where I had originally recovering, others are still struggling been standing.” to get back on their feet because Felicito Montano, a farmer from most of the coconuts, on which most the municipality of Tanauan, had a farmers depended for their livelihood, similar brush with one of the most were destroyed. (See Bouncing back powerful typhoons ever recorded. from typhoon Haiyan on pages 24-25 of “If you could just experience what Rice Today Vol. 14. No. 1). COCONUT FARMER-turned-Green Super Rice farmer it was like then,” he said. “Because Without the coconuts, Mr. Felicito Montano shows off the superior grains our roof was gone, we slept under Montano’s financial circumstances of GSR 8. When typhoon Haiyan destroyed most of his coconut crops, GSR 8 provided him with a an umbrella. Some nights were more changed. “Before the storm, I could substantial alternative source of income. (Photo by difficult because of the rains. I still earn enough income from the Jessieca Narciso, IRRI)

10 Rice Today January-March 2016 coconuts and send money to my I’d usually get from other varieties,” ”It really performed well even sister and mother and still support he remarked. in rainfed fields such as mine,” my family. I had 60 trees and I could Aside from being hardy and Mr. Lazarte said. “Growing GSR harvest as many as 1,000 coconuts,” he high-yielding, GSR 8 is an early- following the recommended exclaimed. “When the coconut price maturing variety. “That was fortunate management practices really paid off. was high, I could earn as much as because we were able to harvest Even after three weeks without rain, I USD 167 in three months. I was also our rice before the typhoon came in was still able to harvest a good crop.” growing rice and vegetables. I had November,” recounted Mr. Montano. “I have shared these stories with enough to tide me over back then.” Dr. Ali, but there are still countless Farmers started replanting GSR—much better than the farmer successes out there to regale,” coconut palms, but it will take at average rice said Dr. Gergon. (see Rice against the least five years before these start “Although many farmers were hesitant tide pages 12-13 on Rice Today Vol. 14, producing fruits. to plant GSR at first, we received really No. 3) good feedback from them after they Another green option gave it a try,” Dr. Gergon explained. Back to taking care of business A silver lining to their gloomy “Many farmers told me how great “Even though we were badly affected situation came in the form of Green GSR performed in their fields. Some by the typhoon, we were able to Super Rice (GSR) seeds. GSR varieties farmers reported that they were improve our livelihood and get back bred at the International Rice able to obtain as much as 11 tons per on our feet because of GSR 8,” Mr. Research Institute (IRRI) can thrive hectare—2.75 times the average yield Lazarte exclaimed. “Adjusting to the in harsh environments (see Breeding of 4 tons in Leyte! Some farmers asked situation was hard at first because for tough times ahead on pages 14-15 on us to try eating the cooked rice. We I am used to making more money Rice Today Vol. 12, No. 4) such as areas hadn’t even tasted GSR then and so we from coconuts. But, I was even able prone to flooding, drought, and salty did. It tasted good!” to purchase a hand tractor. Now, it’s soils, according to Jauhar Ali, IRRI's “I like GSR because its grains are easier for me to grow rice. I’m really GSR project leader and corrdinator good and weigh considerably heavier thankful for GSR and I hope that for Asia. The seeds had reached the than the previous rice grains I tried in many other farmers will also be able farmers through Evelyn Gergon, a the past,” said Mr. Montano. “The crop to plant it.” crop protection specialist from the is tolerant of pests and diseases. Lately, Mr. Retales agrees. “Since our Philippine Rice Research Institute we’ve also started shifting to organic coconuts were destroyed by the (PhilRice), several months before the fertilizers instead of chemical ones. typhoon, our rice fields are now typhoon came. “I wouldn’t be surprised if our main source of livelihood,” he “Until now, most farmers in the everyone in our village will soon be concluded. n Philippines prefer to use seeds they planting GSR,” added Mr. Montano. have saved from the previous crop He has been using GSR 8 for six Ms. Ferrer is a communication specialist instead of certified ones,” explained seasons and hasn’t shifted to another at IRRI. Dr. Gergon. “This is why we decided variety yet and has shared his seed to conduct training on high-quality with other farmers, including Efren Listen to Mr. Lazarte and Mr. Montano seed production. I heard about GSR Lazarte, who planted GSR 8 on 2 talk about their success with GSR at when Dr. Ali went to PhilRice to hectares of his land. https://youtu.be/k9CkEhHWiFI. talk about the new rice in a seminar. That was the beginning of how my team and I were able to bring GSR to BRILLIANT BLUE skies and Green Super Rice bring a smile on Efren Lazarte’s face after farmers in Leyte.” surviving a destructive super typhoon. Mr. Montano was one of the first (Photo by Jessieca Narciso, IRRI) farmers to grow the tough variety GSR 8. “I planted it for the first time after I was given 2 kilograms of seed after I completed a two-day training course on high-quality seed production at Visayas State University,” he said. He sowed those 2 kilograms of GSR seed and harvested 12 sacks from the first crop. Planting some of the harvested seed for his second crop, he was able to harvest 70 sacks, weighing from 45 to 50 kilos each. “That was double what

Rice Today January-March 2016 11 IN JANUARY 2013, Martin Kropff, then CGIAR Consortium board member and future director general of CIMMYT, and Dr. Wopereis inspect a containment facility for rice pathogens and pests at AfricaRice in Cotonou, Benin. (Photo by R. Raman, AfricaRice)

development program, which has ensured a sound scientific position for AfricaRice in the global rice research arena and the achievement of important successes.”

Rooted in agriculture Since his childhood, Dr. Wopereis has been associated with plants and soil as his parents ran a small nursery for ornamental plants. “The strong link our family had with plants and working outdoors greatly influenced Hats off to a me,” he said. His father was a soil scientist working for the Dutch Soil Survey Institute. Therefore, it seems quite master juggler fitting that he would take up agricultural sciences following in his by Savitri Mohapatra father’s footsteps. However, his first choice was to become a veterinarian. A dynamic research leader, a well-respected rice agronomist, a mentor Fortunately for the world of to young scientists, a widely published author, and a loving family man, agronomy, Dr. Wopereis decided to take up soil science and fertilizer use Marco Wopereis wears many hats and juggles them all with instead as the veterinary institute equal efficiency. was overbooked. He obtained his BSc and MSc (with distinction) degrees from Wageningen University in 1984 arco Wopereis, deputy general of AVRDC (The World and 1988, respectively. director general and director Vegetable Center), starting on 21 of research for development April 2016. The rice connection at the Africa Rice Center “Marco has made significant A few months later, Prof. Johan (AfricaRice)M since December 2007, is contributions to AfricaRice, especially Bouma, his professor at Wageningen like a master juggler wearing many in establishing a solid scientific University who had seen signs of hats and juggling them all with direction and foundation,” said a promising agronomist in him, equal efficiency. He is a dynamic AfricaRice Director General Harold asked if he was interested in going research leader, a well-respected Roy-Macauley in his congratulatory to the International Rice Research rice agronomist, and a passionate message. Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños in the spokesperson for issues relating to “He has played a highly Philippines to coordinate a soil rice research and development in significant role in leading the management project. Dr. Wopereis’s Africa. He is also a mentor to young implementation of the research for positive decision proved pivotal, both scientists, a widely published author, professionally and personally. and a loving family man. “It was great to work at With an international research IRRI—great people, fantastic career spanning more than 25 facilities,” he said, describing years in Asia, Europe, and Africa, this golden period of his Dr. Wopereis is fluent in English, life. His research focused on French, German, and Dutch, which is his mother tongue. He loves jazz, and adores soccer, which he plays DR. WOPEREIS with Dr. Bas Bouman, whenever he gets a chance. Director of the Global Rice Science In October 2015, Dr. Wopereis Partnership (GRiSP). (Photo by R. Raman, was appointed the new director AfricaRice)

12 Rice Today January-March 2016 plan with a major shift in focus from supply-driven research to more demand-driven research. The plan presented a clear vision of success to help Africa achieve almost 90% self- sufficiency in rice by 2020. Another milestone was the publication in 2013 of Realizing Africa’s Rice Promise, for which he was the lead editor. This reference book provides A POURING rainstorm does not stop participants in the Japan-funded Emergency Rice Project in Liberia from a comprehensive overview of Africa’s posing with Dr. Wopereis (5th from left), Dr. Dobermann (white shirt), and Inoussa Akintayo (far right), African rice coordinator for AfricaRice, (Photo by R. Raman, AfricaRice) rice sector and ongoing rice research and development activities, indicating priorities for action on how to realize quantifying the impact of soil and by the team in 1997, based on an the promise of rice in a sustainable climate variability on rainfed rice IRRI prototype, received the Senegal and equitable manner. production. This work led to a PhD President’s award in 2003. Virtually He was able to build and lead thesis, which Dr. Wopereis defended all rice grown in the Senegal River effective teams to secure significant at Wageningen University in 1993. Valley is threshed with that machine research grant funding for the Center His stay at IRRI was very and there are now hundreds of these to sustain a continuous portfolio of enriching at the personal level as well threshers in neighboring countries. collaborative projects. Consequently, because he met his lovely wife, Myra, He also co-developed a AfricaRice’s research and there. participatory learning and action development activities, partnerships, research approach for lowland rice and budget grew substantially during A continental leap systems focusing on ICM options, the last 10 years. Soon after this, Dr. Wopereis and which was adopted in seven countries. “One of the most rewarding Myra left for Africa, where he accepted experiences without doubt is the an agronomist’s position at the Afri- Outside the rice world establishment of the Global Rice caRice (then WARDA) regional station In 2002, Dr. Wopereis joined the Science Partnership (GRiSP),” said Dr. in Saint Louis, Senegal. This was a International Fertilizer Development Wopereis. huge change from the lush greenery Center as program leader of the Robert Zeigler and Papa Seck, of Los Baños to the Sahelian town of Integrated Intensification Program former directors general of IRRI and Saint Louis. But it was exciting, too. in Togo, focusing on integrated AfricaRice, respectively, pioneered The six years (1994-2000) he soil fertility management in maize, the idea of a worldwide partnership spent in Senegal and the following sorghum, and millet-based systems. for rice research as early as 2007. couple of years spent in Bouaké, Côte In 2005, he became director of the “It was in the office of then IRRI d’Ivoire, as the scientific coordinator Annual Crops Department at CIRAD, deputy director general for research, of the Inland Valley Consortium the French development-oriented Achim Dobermann, that we sketched convened by AfricaRice, were one of agricultural research organization. the contours of GRiSP,” he said, the most productive periods for Dr. reiterating his conviction that GRiSP Wopereis as a scientist. Back to Africa would outlast any other CGIAR He, along with his colleagues, However, after 2 years, Africa and the Research Program. “It is essential that showed that farmers in the Senegal rice world called him back. AfricaRice IRRI and AfricaRice work together River Valley could increase their selected him to lead its research and for the benefit of rice farmers and yields by 1–2 tons per hectare by development program toward the consumers worldwide, particularly simply modifying their agricultural end of 2007. Dr. Wopereis’s passion Africa.” practices. The team developed for high-quality research and his Speaking fondly of his strong integrated crop management (ICM) drive to achieve impact in farmers’ bonding with Africa, Dr. Wopereis options and decision support tools for fields brought positive changes in said, “I look back at my time in irrigated-lowland rice farmers, which the AfricaRice research agenda Africa with great satisfaction. It is were widely disseminated. and structure, contributing to the filled with unforgettable experiences, “I am certain that our team center’s achievements and continued friendships, and achievements contributed to the rise in average rice relevance. through solid teamwork. Working yield from about 4.5 tons per hectare He and his research team, in partnership has always been to about 6 tons per hectare observed after extensive consultation with AfricaRice’s strong point.” n in Senegal from the 1990s onwards,” AfricaRice’s national partners, explained Dr. Wopereis. were instrumental in developing a Ms. Mohapatra is the head of Marketing A thresher-cleaner developed product-oriented 10-year strategic and Communications at AfricaRice.

Rice Today January-March 2016 13 WHAT’S COOKING? PHOTOS BY ©ANTHONY PRUDENCIO (2) PRUDENCIO ©ANTHONY BY PHOTOS

Risotto carbonara with Innawi rice o discussion on Philippine Her love affair with heirloom these varieties through her cuisines cuisine will be complete rice started in 2011 when she and in various events such as without Chef Margarita participated in the Asian culinary Madrid Fusion. Thanks to her "Gaita" Forés. After all, Chef forum in California to showcase efforts, the heirloom rice varieties NGaita is a doyenne of the culinary recipes in Kulinarya: a guidebook to of the Cordilleras are getting much- arts. If there is a word to describe her Philippine cuisine. Since then, she deserved global recognition. n career, that word would be “stellar.” has been passionately promoting Her talent is immense, garnering numerous accolades, including Asia’s best female chef 2016. The award is bestowed by an influential group of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene and of chefs such as Chef Gaita, who have earned the respect of the critics and peers through their skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and artistry. Chef Gaita is a champion of Philippine ingredients, including the heirloom rice varieties of the Cordilleras. In fact, she graciously shared two recipes featured in the 2016 heirloom rice recipe calendar including the one presented here on risotto carbonara using Innawi rice

from Banaue, Ifugao. NICDAO ©MARC BY PHOTO

14 Rice Today January-March 2016 WHAT’S COOKING?

Risotto Continue adding stock until the rice Ingredients is cooked through. 10 grams white onion, minced 3. Add cream, cheese, and remaining 30 grams butter, divided butter. Stir well. Adjust seasoning. ½ cup Innawi (heirloom rice) 4. Transfer to plate. Top with fried 5 ml white wine bacon and cured egg. Garnish 3 cups vegetable stock, warm and with shaved Parmesan cheese and divided pansit-pansitan. Serve. 50 ml cooking cream 30 grams freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cured egg salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Ingredients 50 grams bacon, crisp fried and 25 grams rock salt chopped 25 grams white sugar cured egg (see recipe) 1 egg yolk shaved Parmesan cheese, to finish pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida) Preparation to garnish 1. In a flat container, combine rock salt and white sugar. Stir. Preparation 2. Cradle the yolk in the middle then 1. In a pan over medium heat, sauté cover with mixture. onion in 15 grams butter. When 3. Cover and set in a cool, dry place. (2) NICDAO ©MARC BY PHOTOS onion is soft and translucent, add Cure for 12 hours. the Innawi. 2. Lightly toast the rice then deglaze with white wine. Once alcohol has See a video in which Chef Gaita talks about her experience with heirloom rice: https://youtu. evaporated, pour 1 cup vegetable Bon appétit! stock, then simmer and stir. be/5VTk6v7X6Fc.

Rice Today January-March 2016 15 PHOTO BY ISAGANI SERRANO, IRRI ISAGANI BY PHOTO PHOTO BY JESSIECA NARCISO, IRRI (2) JESSIECA NARCISO, BY PHOTO Home among the heirlooms

by Alaric Santiaguel farming before,” she recalled when “Before my father died, my “The seeds come with the land,” the purple-colored Balatinaw (center to purchase water buffaloes for she returned to Bauko to help her parents would ask me about what Neneng said. photo above), the heirloom rice that plowing, not tractors—because they parents with the farm. “At first, I would happen to our farm if no one In time Neneng became a she and other farmers sell to Eighth are not suited for our terraced farms. Neneng Wadingan left her wanted to cry. I asked myself, ‘What took care of it,” she said. “They were confident farmer. Her expertise was Wonder, brought significant economic “Our association could also use a hometown to seek greener pastures is this work?’ I couldn’t accept it. But hoping I would stay since I was the apparent. She was an authority on benefits. Every year, she is able to portable thresher with a blower that abroad. But she found her true I helped in planting our field with only one in the family who seemed the profuse assortment of traditional supply around 100 kilos of processed we can bring closer to our rice fields rice.” interested.” rice varieties and the right time for Balatinaw for export valued at so our farmers can minimize their calling and economic success when In 2008, after planting a crop of The following year, her mother sowing a particular variety. She was about USD 170, which is twice the postharvest losses,” she added. “A she returned to tend her ancestors’ rice, Neneng left her hometown to passed away. Neneng knew she had an expert at selecting the seeds for price of “nonfancy” varieties. “I collapsible drying canvas will be very land and grow heirloom rice. work in Macau. But she couldn’t take to continue their legacy. Like her the succeeding planting season, the can save money for my family’s helpful so that we can protect our her mind off their farm. “I returned parents before her, she became her right time for harvesting, and the needs, especially for my children’s harvested grains if it suddenly rains.” after a month and a half because my generation’s family farmer. proper drying of the grains. She education. My son was able to finish inding work outside their father said the rice crop I planted was holds a body of knowledge that, school because of heirloom rice.” Home at last country has become the growing very well. Just looking at the Land, seed, and wisdom like her land and seeds, is a kind of Neneng eventually assumed a At one point, Neneng found herself economic Holy Grail for many rice plants filled me with joy.” Land was not the only thing her birthright. leadership role in her community. thousands of kilometers from her Filipinos. Saturnina “Neneng” After harvesting that crop, she parents left her. “They always stored “I finally focused on farming “I noticed the lives of rice farmers hometown pursuing a livelihood WadinganF (photos) from Bauko, planted rice again—and then she left the seeds of several rice varieties in 2009 after I met Vicky Garcia,” started to improve as more people overseas. Upon her return, she Mountain Province in the Philippine to work, this time in Shanghai. Six they had been planting all these she said. Ms. Garcia established the started buying heirloom rice,” she realized that her heart and her soul Cordillera Region, was one of these months later, she returned when her years.” These were the varieties her Philippines nonprofit RICE, Inc. to said. “I realized that our heirloom rice had never really strayed far from the having landed a good job in the father died. ancestors planted on their farm. preserve heirloom rice grown in was important to our community. We rice fields of her ancestors. Neneng, People's Republic of China. By local the Cordillera Region as well as the need to keep planting it because some the heirloom rice farmer, is now standards, Neneng had it made. She culture of the rice-based community. varieties are starting to disappear.” where she wants to be. She is where was living the dream of the masses. Ms. Garcia helped create an export Neneng not only shared some of she is needed. She is finally home. n But she had to let it go when her market for the heirloom rice through her inherited seeds, she also shared parents asked her to come home and Mary Hensley, founder of Eighth her know-how and even organized take over their family farm. Wonder Inc., which sells the rice in the the farmers who were willing to Mr. Santiaguel is an associate editor of U.S. (see Women who moved mountains plant heirloom rice. This informal Rice Today. Reluctant farmer on page 22-23 of Rice Today, Vol. 13, group became the Blooming Hills “We’ve had this farm for 200 years, RICE PROJECT HEIRLOOM BY PHOTO No. 4). “Vicky told us that we were Rice Terraces Farmers’ Cooperative. The Heirloom Rice Project is an initiative since the time of our ancestors,” planting heirloom rice. To us, it is rice It currently has 56 farmer members. under the Food Staples Sufficiency Neneng told the Heirloom Rice Project that we plant and eat. I was inspired “I wish more farmers would join us. Program of the Philippine Department team that conducted a socioeconomic by what Vicky said about our rice That would make me very happy.” of Agriculture. With support from the survey of the farmers in the region. being more nutritious and aromatic.” But she knows there is much various agencies of the Department “My grandmother inherited it from room for improvement. “We need and IRRI, the project aims to enhance her mother and my mother inherited it Born to lead financial help from the government,” the productivity and enrich the legacy from my grandfather.” Neneng now sees heirloom rice Neneng said. “Yes, we have rice of heirloom or traditional rice through Yet, she started out as a reluctant farming as her ticket to a better and land, but we don’t have enough empowered communities in unfavorable farmer. “I didn’t do any full-time future. The export market demand for money for farming. We need money rice-based ecosystems.

16 Rice Today January-March 2016 Rice Today January-March 2016 17 maps Finding flood-prone rice areas in West Africa by Sander J. Zwart and Mohamed Hamady

Sokoto River ice, cultivated in the flood plains along the Niger River and its tributaries in Nigeria’s northern states, is regularly inundated by floods. In 2015, floods submerged and destroyed rice cropsR that annually produce about 11% of the nation’s consumption, equivalent to more than USD 200 million of imported rice. Such flood damage can be alleviated if farmers plant rice varieties carrying the SUB1 gene, which can survive total submergence for up to 2 weeks. The Africa Rice Center breeders have already incorporated the SUB1 gene into WITA4 and NERICA L-19, two commonly grown rice varieties in Africa. To support the efficient and effective introduction of these new Sub1 varieties to the most frequently affected rice- farming communities, the hotspots in the flood plains were mapped. Niger River The methodology uses a time-series of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to detect the agricultural seasons, while flooded conditions and duration are assessed using the Land Surface Water Index (LSWI). Flooding frequency was then determined using a 16-day composite of the NDVI and LSWI images taken from 2001 to 2015 by the MODIS satellite. The generated flood-frequency maps of these major river basins in Nigeria will be used to introduce the WITA4 and NERICA L-19 varieties to selected rice- farming communities. n

Dr. Zwart is a senior researcher and Mr. Hamady is a remote sensing research assistant in the Sustainable Productivity Enhancement Group at AfricaRice.

Kainji Lake 18 Rice Today January-March 2016 Rice Today January-March 2016 19 Rice Today January-March 2016, Vol. 15, No. 1 Cambodian farmers transplant rice in Kampong Speu Province. In the following article (pages 22-29), read about the incredible advances made in rice production in Cambodia over 20 Rice Today January-March 2016 the last 30 years since the "Killing Fields" of the late 1970s. (Photo by Gene Hettel,Rice IRRI) Today January-March 2016 21 The IRRI pioneer interviews

Conducted by Gene Hettel PHOTOS BY GENE HETTEL, IRRI BY PHOTOS

Glenn Denning on IRRI’s Cambodia Experience: Revisiting the “Killing Fields” 30 years later

Glenn Denning, a professor of Professional Practice agriculture and rural development, Denning holds at Columbia University’s School of International and agricultural science degrees from the University of Public Affairs, directs a Master of Public Administration Queensland and a PhD from the University of Reading. in Development Practice program and teaches a He has an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. graduate course in Global Food Systems. He also serves as Senior Policy Advisor at the Sustainable While at IRRI, Denning was heavily involved in what Development Solutions Network, launched by UN he calls an “amazing story more people should know Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in August 2012, about because it is such a compelling example about to mobilize scientific and technical expertise from how genetic conservation and human capacity are so academia, civil society, and the private sector in critical.” It has to do with the follow-up to the horrendous support of sustainable development. genocide of the “killing fields” in Cambodia (1975-79). It illustrates the power of international collaboration and a Denning spent 18 years at the International Rice commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. Research Institute (IRRI; 1980-98), starting out as a January 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of post- visiting associate field specialist and later serving war involvement of IRRI in this remarkable episode in in many other capacities and senior management agricultural history. With funding from the Australian positions. He has also worked at the World Agroforestry Agency for International Development (AusAid), the Centre in Kenya. Honored by the governments of Cambodia-IRRI-Australia Project (CIAP) was ultimately Vietnam and Cambodia for his contributions to created in 1987 to solidify the effort.

Coming to IRRI in 1980 about 3 years and was really looking Program at IRRI. I’d read about all ow I got into IRRI is actually to do something different after that. his work in South America before very similar to how I got into I was an agronomist and I had made he actually came to IRRI and truly most places in my career—it’s some connections with IRRI while admired him for the systems work serendipity, almost a random in the Philippines. A lot of the work that he had done there. chance.H I was working in Zamboanga that I was doing in Mindanao was But it was another IRRI colleague, del Sur, Mindanao in the southern inspired by the work of Hubert Dale Haws, a crop production Philippines on a big Australian rural Zandstra who, at that time, was specialist, who was in charge of Rice development project. I’d been there the head of the Cropping Systems Production Training and Research. It

22 Rice Today January-March 2016 was essentially the applied research part of IRRI, which did field trials all over the country, working very closely with the Philippine ministry of agriculture. We had conducted several field trials for Dale as part of our project in Zamboanga del Sur. Every now and then, maybe once every couple of months or so, Dale or one of his colleagues would come down and visit the trials. On one of these trips, Dale said to me, “I’m going on a sabbatical leave next year IRRI DIRECTORS general Nyle Brady, M.S. Swaminathan, and Klaus Lampe. (Photos: IRRI archives) for 12 months. Is there any chance you might be interested in coming a chat about what I’d been doing in 1984-85, I went to Reading, taking a to IRRI just for a 12-month period, the southern Philippines. He went to personal sabbatical leave to finish up manage my office, conduct these farm the Ambassador’s residence and I got my PhD. trials?” First, I was blown away by dropped off at a hotel. When I came back, Dr. Swami- the opportunity to work at IRRI— About a week or two later, I got nathan converted the visiting such an amazing, famous, successful a letter inviting me to come to IRRI appointment to a regular appoint- organization—really was a great for a year as a visiting associate field ment, and that is when I started my attraction; and also, to have a chance specialist. So, I came for a year and regular career as an agronomist to work with Hubert Zandstra, the I stayed 18. One thing simply led and scientist at IRRI, which lasted person I’d been following so closely to another. I worked very closely through to 1998. I started in the over the years. So, I came up to IRRI with Dale for a couple of years once Training Center, which was then for an interview. he came back from the States. He actually a combination of applied In those days, interviews were eventually moved on and then M.S. research and training. It had an basically with the director general Swaminathan arrived as director outreach function to it, but it was and he decided whether to hire you general in 1982 and he invited me primarily focused on the Philippines, or not. So, I was to meet with Nyle to stay—but again, as a visiting not the whole international world of Brady. On the day I arrived, I was told scientist. At that point, I didn’t have IRRI or the country programs that he was going to a meeting at the (U.S.) a PhD and one of the things that Dr. IRRI was very successfully working Ambassador’s residence so I could Brady said when he brought me on on in various parts of the world— travel in the car with him from Los was: “We’re glad to have you here Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Baños to Manila. And so, I actually but, of course, you can never become Burma, as it was back then, Thailand, did my interview in the backseat of a scientist at IRRI until you have a and even beyond. a car, while Dr. Brady, in his usual PhD.” So, very early on I enrolled in a busy style, was signing memos and PhD program at Reading and worked On the IRRI international circuit letters and various things. But we had on it part time for a few years. In The Training Program eventually became the International Programs Management Office (IPMO) under Klaus Lampe when he became director general in 1988. As a management specialist himself, Dr. Lampe wanted IRRI’s international programs better organized with greater harmony across the programs and better coordination in terms of our support to those country programs. But even before then, I got interested in what we called the “country programs”. I went to Bhutan in 1983 on the first IRRI mission there and that started the relatively long-term collaboration in that country, with support from IRRI BREEDER Gurdev Khush and agronomist Donald Puckridge joined Dr. Denning on the 1986 Cambodia IDRC Canada. I went to Africa, mission. (Photos: IRRI archives) making one of the earlier trips to

Rice Today January-March 2016 23 Eastern and Southern Africa in the early ’80s (1984-85). I started to get more and more interested in how IRRI’s work—the first-class research on varietal improvement, agronomy, engineering, etc.—could be relevant to other countries, particularly countries that had been bypassed by the Green Revolution for a number of reasons, including their environment—they were largely rainfed areas—and also because of conflict. And that’s what got me interested in the Indo-China region.

On to Cambodia In January 1986, I was invited by Dr. Swaminathan to be part KILLING FIELDS: forced laborers dig canals in Kampong Cham Province, as part of the massive agrarian of the team that he was about to infrastructure that the Khmer Rouge planned for the country. (Photo source: chanderspage) send to Cambodia, then known as Kampuchea. The team included [future World Food Prize winner] At one point in the late 1960s, approach to development. Their view Gurdev Khush, Don Puckridge [author the country had an area of around was to bring the whole country back of the uplifting Cambodian story, The 2 ½ million hectares of rice. They to year zero. A way to do that in order Burning of the Rice], and myself. We were exporting small amounts to to rid the country of all the ills that spent about 10 days there. The visit other parts of the world, particularly they saw had affected Cambodia over had been requested by the Kampuchea Africa. But as the war spilled the years was to remove everybody Ministry of Agriculture at the urging over, there was a very strong anti- from Phnom Penh. So, here we are. of some NGOs working in Cambodia government movement going on We have 2 million people essentially (including Catholic Relief Services). in the rural areas. More and more crowded into the city. Within a few They were asking IRRI to return some Cambodians fled the countryside and weeks of the arrival of the Khmer of the seeds lost in the conflict that the made their way into Phnom Penh Rouge, the population went down Institute had in the genebank. There where they sought refuge. to 10,000. Imagine from 2 million to was much interest to have the rice The population of the city 10,000! industry up and running again after increased from about half a million And so where did they send the a long period of a great disruption to to about 2 million people. At the people? They basically redistributed rice farming in the country. Lots of same time, the area planted to rice them all over the country—and interesting things came out of that first decreased, decreased, and decreased. not necessarily back to the places mission as a result. Large areas were affected by where they came from. Part of the It’s a remarkable story that I landmines as the conflict continued. ideology of the Khmer Rouge—and a wish more people knew about. It is So, Cambodia went from being a very interesting one—was that they such a compelling example about net rice surplus country to being a recognized that rice was important how genetic conservation is so country that really couldn’t feed itself to Cambodia. But they wanted critical, particularly for countries because everybody, or at least a big to modernize it and their idea of like Cambodia that are so reliant proportion of the population, was modernization was to irrigate rice on agriculture and, in this case, so huddled into the capital city. somehow, loosely using the rice- reliant on rice production. Cambodia growing concept of the old Angkor has had quite a checkered history. The killing fields begin civilization, i.e., using large grids of Leading up to the end of the Vietnam This leads us up to 1975. It was irrigation canals. And so now you can War, the country was actually very sometime in April that the sort of conjure up those images of the productive—not necessarily high- Khmer Rouge actually took over killing fields of very large numbers yielding, but Cambodian farmers the government. The nominal of essentially slave laborers out there were generating surpluses of rice, government disappeared and then digging ditches and trying to create leading up to about 1972-73, as the we had a period of 3 ½, almost 4 irrigation canals. Vietnam War was coming to an years, of what’s known as “the killing At that time, the Chinese end (and then), spilling over into fields.” The Khmer Rouge came in government supported the Khmer Cambodia and Laos. with a very unorthodox and brutal Rouge and so, there were Chinese

24 Rice Today January-March 2016 Vietnamese came into Cambodia Cambodia, including Australia. and installed a new government. Several years passed and then, finally, They removed the Khmer Rouge in 1986, Dr. Swaminathan received partly because this government the invitation; we went into the was launching attacks on Vietnam. country. Production had crept back Vietnam, of course, was a much more up to about 2 million tons. Yields powerful force and, at that time, I were still very low but there had been think China had also reduced and land area expansion and some of the eventually stopped supporting the security problems had been solved. Khmer Rouge because Vietnam It wasn’t completely secure. There had had its battles with China on were still landmines everywhere, the northern front as well. Anyway, which seriously affected agriculture, HUN SEN, Cambodian leader since 1979. (Photo by Gene Hettel, IRRI) Vietnam comes in and installs a new particularly rice farming. People, as government led by Hun Sen, who is well as animals, were being blown still the leader to this very day. That up by stepping on landmines. But advisers helping to introduce rice was 1979. NGOs only slowly came anyway, there was a bit of an increase varieties from China to plant in into the country because, for many in rice production. these areas. But with hindsight, the years, the Hun Sen government was engineering was extremely faulty; considered illegitimate because it Shocking revelations very little of that infrastructure ever had been installed by an occupation The IRRI team came in and we led to any increase in irrigated rice force in which the Vietnamese had looked around and we were shocked, production. The Khmer Rouge did removed the Khmer Rouge. I would say, during that first not allow farmers to plant traditional Even when IRRI ultimately mission. We couldn’t quite believe deepwater rice like they used to started working in Cambodia, the what we saw or heard. Not a lot of around Tonlé Sap Lake. So, over Khmer Rouge occupied a seat in the information came to the outside that period, production went right UN. So, there was no UN presence. world during that 1975-79 Khmer down to less than a million tons— In fact, all through this period Rouge period. But we started to talk some statistics show even a half during the early days that we worked to people, including the government million tons—which was way less there, the only governments that officials. We talked to everyday folks. than needed to feed a population, recognized the Hun Sen government This was a hard-line communist notwithstanding the fact that the were the Soviet Union and the Soviet government, by the way, that we Khmer Rouge killed upwards of 2 Block countries, including Cuba—and were dealing with back then. But million people over that period—one one other country not in that sphere they did realize they had to feed of the greatest genocides in human of influence—India. their people. They had to increase history. Okay, so you had all Soviet production. They had that idea. This went on for 3 ½ to 4 Block but no Western governments We started looking for anyone years. Finally, in January 1979, the recognizing the government in we can work with. In other countries,

DESTROYED CAMBODIAN infrastructure scarred the nation’s countryside. (Photo by Glenn Denning)

Rice Today January-March 2016 25 THAY SUN Heang, 1973 IRRI trainee who survived the Killing Fields then and now (in 1973 photo, second from bottom, appearing in IRRI Alumni book and above right with Rice Today editor-in-chief Gene Hettel). (Photo by Jessieca Narciso, IRRI)

Re-introducing Cambodia’s traditional varieties However, we have a very good news story that, luckily—probably more than luck!—very strategically, IRRI had sent in some collectors of IRRI ALUMNI book (1962-80) listing Cambodian trainees prior to the Killing Fields. (Photo: IRRI archives) traditional rice varieties in 1972-73 just before all the turmoil began. I we’ve typically worked with their to IRRI. We didn’t physically locate believe more than 750 rice varieties national research organization, which them, but we heard that only two were actually collected and stored becomes our partner. We looked of those six were still alive. So, the in the IRRI genebank. So, we called around Cambodia, all the buildings human resources and the physical up the folks in the genebank and we were destroyed; everything had been infrastructure were wiped out. found out that yes, indeed, we’ve got destroyed. We took some horrific [Editor’s note: Since this interview all these varieties that were collected photos from that era of what formerly was conducted, the last surviving about 13 or 14 years previously! were research institutions in the trainee of those six, Thay Sun Heang, These varieties had lived safely in 1970s, totally flattened. There was was located]. the genebank while the horrendous nothing. The varieties were lost as well human genocide civil war was going Where were the people? There because of all that dislocation and on in Cambodia. were 400 trained agriculturists in the fact that everybody moved to Over a period of several years the country prior to the war. After the countryside and then they went [1981-90], part of the IRRI program the war, there were 40. So, we had through this horrendous period of in Cambodia was actually to a literal decimation of the skilled slave camps. People were so hungry reintroduce those varieties. We had a agricultural expertise—people who they ate their rice seeds. So, the couple of plant breeders there, Ram would work in the extension ministry country basically lost so much of its Chaudhary and Edwin Javier. They of agriculture, in the university, and rice genetic resources, which were worked on the reintroduction of so on. IRRI had this book with little essential in Cambodia, because 85% these traditional varieties. Farmers photographs of all the IRRI trainees of the fields are rainfed. IRRI’s impact grabbed them and multiplied them. going back for years. One of the [in Asia] up to that point had been So, we had a two-pronged process to things we did before we went was to very much focused on the irrigated get these traditional varieties back see who from Cambodia had done and favorable rainfed lowlands. It in the places where they best fitted. training courses at IRRI. Actually, had had very little impact on harsher The other part was where we had there were only six names and four environments. All these traditional irrigated rice, perhaps 15% of the photos. We started asking around. varieties in Cambodia had evolved country, maybe a little more. So, we Of course, the first thing we tried to under these harsher conditions and started to get state-of-the-art modern do was ask who had a connection appeared to have been lost. IR varieties in there, such as IR36 and

26 Rice Today January-March 2016 assistance and all the rest, we were building up this capacity. Over a period of about 12-15 years or so, about 6,000 Cambodians have been trained by IRRI at all levels. Many of them, of course, we trained in-country when, at one point, we had a team of about five or six IRRI scientists working there. But many of them we brought back to IRRI. We sent them on tours; they got to see other parts of the world where we actually made good progress in rice production. And some of them went on to get master’s degrees and even PhDs.

Cambodia today Let’s look at Cambodia today. CIAP helped set up the Cambodian DRS. DENNING and Chaudhary in Cambodian rice plots circa 1990. (Photo: IRRI) Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), so on. Not many good quality seeds to be translated into Khmer. In the founded in August 1999. [See of the new irrigated varieties had mornings, they did rice production, Cambodia ushers in new era on page 16 found their way into Cambodia. So, and in the afternoons, they learned of Rice Today, Vol. 6, No. 2.] We did we had these two things going on at English. We had them out in the field that very early, and then we worked once. It wasn’t big to start with. It was planting rice, doing all the physical very closely to build up national slow improvement in production that stuff while it wasn’t raining. In the capacity from scratch—physical has continued to this very day. So the afternoon, they came in and we had infrastructure as well as the human varietal improvement part of it was an instructor, Jill Sullivan, teach resources to go with it. With support very important. English for beginners. from the AusAid, we were able to So, this went on for 5 months. send quite a large number of students The importance of human These people went back to Cambodia for advanced education to do master’s resources and we ended up being able to and PhDs, mostly in Australia; some I can’t underestimate the importance work with them. So, parallel with of them did it here in the Philippines of human resources. As I mentioned, improvements and technical as well. human capital had been decimated as a result of the war. People were either killed or fled as refugees and disappeared off the map as far as Cambodia was concerned. So, our major initial focus was on capacity building. This wasn’t easy because virtually nobody there spoke English. One of the first things we did was to bring a group of 13 Cambodians to IRRI sometime in 1987. This was the largest group of Cambodians ever to leave the country. Well, let’s say, ever to leave the country to go elsewhere than the Soviet Union or other parts of the world that were friendly with Cambodia at that time. We organized to bring them to IRRI for 5 months of training. We had a special rice production training course and everything had to be translated. We CAMBODIA REGAINED 766 of its lost traditional varieties by repatriating them from IRRI’s genebank. had a translator. Everything had (Photo: IRRI)

Rice Today January-March 2016 27 postharvest technology, mechanization—all of these things were going on at the same time over long periods. When we went there in January 1986, the production in the country was a little over 2 million tons (Figure on next page). The average yield was just over 1 ton per hectare. Looking at it today, almost 30 years later, total production in the country is around 9 million tons (Figure on next page). The country is an exporter again. In fact, for the last several years, Cambodia has been exporting

Main entrance of CARDI today. (Photo by Gene Hettel, IRRI)

To this day, if you go and look at soils, entomology and so on, all came the organizational chart of CARDI through this IRRI partnership that over the last several years, the people was supported mainly by Australia who are running the organization, over a period of a couple of decades. the current director, for example, Ouk So that’s the history in terms Makara, got their PhDs in Australia. of what we did. I talked a lot He’s one of our counterparts, one about varieties, but we worked of the trainees. Many others in the on agronomy. We als o worked OUK MAKARA, current CARDI director (right), with organization, leading in breeding, on integrated pest management, Glenn Denning. (Photo by Gene Hettel, IRRI)

A CROWD of more than 4,000 attended the dedication ceremonies of CARDI’s new facilities on 9 January 2007. (Photo by Gene Hettel)

28 Rice Today January-March 2016 Metric tons × 1,000 10,000

9,000

8,000

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Year

Rice production in Cambodia, 1961-2013 (in MT rough rice). Source: FAOSTAT.

somewhere around 800,000 to a little countries. We’ve always wanted We’ve also looked to do this in over 1 million tons per year. They that. We did not want them to Mozambique. I know IRRI is now really developed their export of rice be dependent only on IRRI. We working in Mozambique, I think as a source of income. The area has wanted them to be able to work with doing a very similar approach— gone back to about the level before the Thais, with the Lao, with the improving varieties, building the war from about 2 ½ million Vietnamese, with the Indonesians, national capacity, and strengthening hectares, having gone down to half with the Chinese again, to build national institutions. It’s a good a million, now back up to 3 million collegial relationships which would model and I think it should be shared hectares. So the area hasn’t greatly give strength to the national research more widely. It’s going to be probably expanded. system. So that’s basically the very relevant to Afghanistan and Much of the improvement has Cambodia story. perhaps some other parts of the world come through yield increases. So, in the years ahead—and not just for the yield is now around 3 tons Applying lessons from the rice, but for any crop. n per hectare, which isn’t as good as Cambodian experience elsewhere Vietnam or Indonesia, but you’ve I think Cambodia is a very good got to remember that, still, the lesson, which by the way, I’ve shared Gene Hettel is editor-in-chief ofRice country is largely rainfed. Irrigation with a number of other colleagues in Today. has expanded. Investments have other parts of the world as far away expanded. But to be able to get 3 tons as Africa. When we see countries For additional background on the per hectare on land that is principally coming out of conflict, I think we Cambodian experience, see Towering rainfed means that a lot has gone into can take some lessons from what legacies on pages 14-19 of Rice Today, the improvement of crop production. happened in Cambodia. I’ve used Vol. 1, No. 1; The Burning of the Rice: So, I think Cambodia itself is a great some similar approaches in East A Cambodian Success Story by Don credit to IRRI and, initially, the vision Timor (Timor Leste), again, a country Puckridge; Fostering international of Director General Swaminathan; coming out of conflict. It’s not a collaboration, for food security and and consistent long-term partnership predominantly rice-growing area, but sustainable development: a personal with that country through thick and I think the general principle when perspective of M.S. Swaminathan’s thin. For the most part, Australia was you come out of conflict is you often vision, impact, and legacy by Glenn the big supporter, but we were able have minimal infrastructure, you Denning (in Current Science); Rice over the years to diversify that level have very limited human resources, production in Cambodia by Harry of support. and you often need to borrow Nesbitt; andThe soils used for rice One of the key successes is we’ve technology and build up research production in Cambodia by Peter been able to connect Cambodian capacity yourself. So we’ve looked at White, Thomas Oberthür, and Pheav scientists with scientists in other that in Timor Leste. Sovuthy.

Rice Today January-March 2016 29 by Savitri Mohapatra “Since we have been cultivating rice, we have never harvested such a vast quantity,” said Aboko Daniel, With rapid population growth and a rice farmer in Zoungo, Benin. So climate change, Africa’s inland impressed are the farmers with the valleys are increasingly being rise in income, thanks to the Smart- valleys approach, that some of them considered as the continent’s future are expanding their site without any food basket. external help. Impact studies indicate the potential adoption rate is 67%. “At the end of the project, 139 he potential is there, but Smart-valleys sites were operational you can’t eat potential.” in Benin and Togo and about 2,000 SANDER ZWART, AFRICARICE (4) SANDER ZWART, This is one of the most farmers cultivated rice in them, memorable statements of of which 55% were women,” Dr.

“TNobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman BY PHOTOS Zwart said, summing up the project Borlaug. His remark would perfectly achievements. “The area developed fit the case of the inland-valley using the Smart-valleys approach was lowlands in Africa, which are known A SMART choice for Africa’s inland-valley rice farmers more than 200 hectares in Benin and to have high agricultural production 135 hectares in Togo.” potential, but have remained largely The project provided inputs untapped until now. to the national strategy for inland- However, with rapid population New hope with the sawah system Rice Center (AfricaRice) launched fully rainfed or where additional Sander Zwart, AfricaRice project valley development in Benin that is growth and climate change, inland A new hope for increasing the area the Sawah, Market Access, and Rice water resources are available for coordinator, explained, “Although being prepared by the Ministry of valleys are increasingly being under rice cultivation in inland Technologies for Inland Valleys (SMART- irrigation. the site selection is based on climate Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. considered as the continent’s future valleys arose with a relatively IV) project in Togo and Benin (see The Smart-valleys approach is and geomorphological data and food basket since they are generally simple, low-cost, and participatory photos). The project is carried out low‐cost, easy to replicate, and has using GIS and remote-sensing tools, Scaling up more fertile than uplands and have land preparation method from Asia in collaboration with national and a short implementation period. It it is the farmers themselves who From the onset, the project higher water availability. They are called sawah. Sawah is a Malay- nongovernment partners. is, in fact, a smart option instead provide the researchers with the emphasized the need for scaling up particularly important for realizing Indonesian word for leveled, After the first two years of the of traditional interventions, which information regarding the inland of the approach through capacity Africa’s rice promise. bunded, and puddled rice fields with project, farmers did not widely adopt are usually expensive and time- valleys’ soil and the behavior of building of technicians and lead water inlets and outlets to control the conventional sawah system because consuming. crops in the field. farmers and through demonstration The inland-valley challenge water and facilitate soil fertility the targeted areas had a continuous The philosophy of the Smart- “But most importantly, the sites. By the end of the project, 87 The main challenge is how inland management. Although relatively natural water supply while there were valleys approach is that farmers farmers provide information that technicians and 47 lead farmers had valleys can be efficiently and new to West Africa, sawah has fewinland-valley sites in Benin and know their lands better than anyone enables scientists to determine the been trained in the Smart-valleys sustainably used to boost Africa’s been used for hundreds of years in Togo with a continuous water supply. else, including the experts. Farmers drainage axis of the inland valley approach. Demonstration sites were rice production. The key is improved Madagascar. This limited the scope for achieving are fully engaged throughout the and site the main canals and bunds developed in six zones. water control. The sawah system was introduced large‐scale adoption of the system. development process, which creates appropriately according to the AfricaRice and its partners have Over the years, many attempts and tested in 1997 in the Ashanti The project scientists had to a strong sense of ownership among topology,” he added. identified Smart-valleys as one of the have been made in West Africa but region in Ghana and the Bida region modify and adapt the system to local them. According to AfricaRice Deputy key technologies that will be scaled with little success as inland valleys in Nigeria by Japanese scientists in conditions of rainfed smallholder “Farmers are the key players in Director General Marco Wopereis, up in the rice sector development are diverse and complex ecosystems collaboration with local research and farmers. this system; otherwise, this system the main advantage of the approach hubs that focus on lowland rice. A and are generally difficult to manage. development partners. The system will not be sustainable,” remarked is higher yield and lower risk—thus training video was produced and a Some of the big inland-valley water helps improve land preparation and The SMART alternative Worou Soklou, AfricaRice land- stimulating farmers to start using guide for field technicians is being management schemes in West Africa transplanting, reduce water runoff The modified development inputs such as mineral fertilizers, prepared. Once farmers are familiar in the 1970s were either abandoned and loss of fertilizer, and maintain a sawah approach specialist. thereby raising rice production in with the technique, they are then or underused because of their water layer in the field to help control was code-named “Farmer these systems to a totally new level. introduced to power tillers to speed dependency on foreign expertise for weeds. Smart-valleys. It organization is up land development. heavy engineering infrastructure. More than 20 million hectares is also the name critical to the High degree of success According to Dr. Soklou, the There was also lack of technical of the 190 million hectares of of the follow-up success of the The Smart-valleys approach has lesson to be learned from this know-how of smallholder rice inland-valley lowlands in Africa project to SMART- Smart-valleys proven to be quite successful despite approach is that, even with limited farmers in the region. are reportedly suitable for the sawah IV developed and process. But the initial setbacks. The hard work of means, it is possible to bring in But most importantly, the system. Seeing its promise, farmers in validated in the first condition the project participants, particularly significant change in rural areas of failure is often due to the lack of Togo started using it in 2004. project countries. is to ensure that farmers, paid off when they found African countries. n participation of local communities In 2009, with strong technical and It can be used there are no that average rice yields had more in the selection, planning, design, financial support from the Japanese by smallholder problems with than doubled from 1.5–2 to 3.5–4.5 implementation, and use of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, farmers in inland land tenure.” tons per hectare at the end of the first Ms. Mohapatra is the head of Marketing inland-valley schemes. and Fisheries (MAFF), the Africa valleys that are phase of the project. and Communications at AfricaRice.

30 Rice Today January-March 2016 Rice Today January-March 2016 31 A reluctant rock star scientist talks about making science and scientists approachable, his own Picking the brain of IRRI creative process, and the GMO debate. He also has good advice for young researchers. collaborating scientist Michael Purugganan here are scientists and then there are rock star scientists. Interview by Alaric Santiaguel What’s the difference? Unlike their counterparts in the entertainmentT industry, rock star scientists aren’t surrounded by an entourage. They do not make dramatic entrances nor do they strut around the lab wearing flashy gowns. They are actually regular scientists but with a little something extra. Writer Matt Hickman described it best: It’s all about the charisma, a willingness to communicate, and, at times, stir up a bit of controversy … challenging convention and getting people to wake up and acknowledge the world around them, to think. Michael Purugganan, Dorothy Schiff Professor of Genomics and Professor of Biology at New York University and a collaborator with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), certainly fits the description. In a recent interview, during one of his stops at IRRI to monitor an ongoing project on the systems genomics of adaptation to rice drought stress, the Filipino-American biologist and former journalist covered his strategy for a successful career in research, the importance of making the general public excited about science, paying it forward, and the touchy subject of genetically modified crops.

What is the secret of being a rock star scientist? I don’t like the term “rock star scientist.” Let’s just say I am happy people recognize our work and we’re able to make contributions to our

fields. That took a lot of hard work SERRANO, IRRI ISAGANI BY PHOTO

32 Rice Today January-March 2016 I am constantly and some bit of luck. But I think a What is your opinion on making thinking of new lot of hard work more than anything science sexy for the general else. public? ideas and that Sexy is the wrong word. I think it’s What is your advice to young more about getting people excited maybe only one scientists who want to have the about what we’re doing. I think it is same kind of success? important to make science accessible in a hundred will The one thing I would advise young to people so they understand what scientists is to keep on asking we’re doing. survive. But if I questions and keep on thinking of As scientists, when we do projects. I tell people I am constantly research, we are excited about many weren’t constantly thinking of new ideas and that maybe things about that project. However, a only one in a hundred will survive. lot of things we’re excited about may thinking of new But if I weren’t constantly thinking of not be exciting for the public. Find the new questions, I wouldn’t find those things in your project that you think questions, I gems of ideas that I eventually work will excite the public and then, when on. you talk to the public, emphasize wouldn’t find those those things. Hopefully, people will Describe your creative process in then be excited too about what you’re gems of ideas that I coming up with those ideas. doing. I make connections in very different Also, try to make scientists more eventually work on. areas of work. That’s the other advice accessible and less invisible to the I would give to young scientists. public. I think if you ask the average Reach out beyond the area you persons, their image of a scientist is specialize in working and explore probably the Hollywood image that very different areas of knowledge. I is nerdy or geeky. People don’t realize or the applications it may have but would read a paper in another field, that there are scientists around them. transmitting that knowledge not for example, and think, hmmm…, Some of them are just ordinary only to fellow scientists but also to that’s interesting. I wonder if I can do people; some of them are quite the general public. At the end of the it in rice. If you can have a very open interesting persons. I think people day, the entire scientific community mind and see connections between will be surprised about who scientists is going to advance or collapse based what seem to be very different really are. Just be accessible to the on whether society thinks what we’re areas of research, that is when very public and show people who you are doing is worthwhile. If we don’t make interesting things happen. and what you really look like. science accessible to people and make Scientists are not the nerdy them support and understand what You head the Purugganan persons you might think of … well, we’re doing, then we failed. Laboratory for plant evolutionary we’re all nerdy but we might not all genomics. How did you manage to look nerdy to the public. People might You have also been a journalist. get your own laboratory? find scientists more approachable. The media have been strongly After getting my PhD (in botany, That’s something that I would like to biased against genetic with a minor in global policy) from do as well. engineering and genetically the University of Georgia and modified organisms (GMOs) in the doing postdoctoral work, I applied But why is it necessary to make past. What is the situation today? for faculty positions in research science accessible to the general I think the media, both universities and I was able to public? internationally and in the Philippines, establish my lab. I remember I was I think this is important because, at are fairer, especially in the last few given my first laboratory at North the end of the day, it is society that years. In the Philippine context, there Carolina State University. It was a funds our research. Whether it’s a are several science journalists who small lab. It had no windows. It was government grant or it’s a private think deeply about the science and an empty room. I had to equip it foundation, our work is supported by understand the issues. Although they myself but it was still my lab. the rest of society. It’s important that look at different sides of the question, That was a special moment society become part of what we do. they’re not alarmists. because, for the first time, I could To try to make your research Internationally, it’s the same work on my own ideas. Prior to that, accessible should really be part of the thing. If anything, the media have I was always working in somebody normal things scientists do. I really become much more skeptical of else’s lab. It has grown and grown. believe that. That is part of what the anti-GMO stance because, after Now I have two labs, one in New you have to produce as a scientist. several years of talking to both York and one in Abu Dhabi. It is not just the research you do sides, they have come to realize that

Rice Today January-March 2016 33 many of the issues brought up by minds after talking with them about one crosses strains that have not come the anti-GMO groups have weak or the issues involved. into contact with each other and mixes nonexistent scientific basis and may It is also important for scientists, hundreds and thousands of mutations. be off the mark in terms of what their especially those not connected to With GMOs, breeders insert only a real targets are and what they really GMOs, to step up to the plate. I have few genes that they know a lot about. care about. So, I think it’s actually written some articles on the issue I actually have stronger confidence in getting better. and tried to be a public advocate for our ability to control GMOs than the GMOs in certain contexts. I think products of classical breeding. How do you counter the negative one of the reasons these articles GMOs go through enormous image of GMOs? have penetrated more is because regulatory testing but traditionally It is tough. It’s a matter of education. I don’t do GMO work. I’ve never bred crops do not. I guarantee that we When I talk to the anti-GMO folks as been connected to the industry. I’ve know much, much less about what an evolutionary biologist, it doesn’t never received a single cent from any we did with a traditionally bred crop matter how much evidence I present. industrial organization. It’s just that, than what we did with a GMO crop. People who are completely opposed scientifically, I do believe GMOs are to GMOs are probably not going to useful and important. To be able to What makes GMOs so scary? change their minds. They’re just not say that with integrity—and to get People fear most a certain risk that going to listen. Sometimes, what the people to understand it—is important. may not be known yet. But that’s true anti-GMO people say is completely for everything. We can always think wrong. For some reason, certain How safe are GMOs? of a worst-case scenario. Certain people hold on to certain opinions The technology itself is safe. The GMO products have been used for even if those opinions are based on products need to be looked at a long time. The reality is, with so incorrect information. It can be very individually. In other words, we have many GMO products in the market frustrating. However, that shouldn’t to test every product that’s genetically and available all over the world, stop us from continuing to be the modified to make sure that it is safe nobody, not one person, can be shown rational voice in this debate. and won’t harm the environment and to have died or have had a health Some people initially may not people’s health. problem because of a GMO. There like GMOs, but they haven’t really People think that classic have been no issues with GMOs. I thought about it clearly or deeply. (conventional) breeding is somehow don’t know what else we can do. n But they’re open minded. These are better than GMO technology. My real the people I try to talk with. They’re sense is that in breeding there is a lot Mr. Santiaguel is associate editor of the ones that I’ve seen change their of uncertainty. In traditional breeding, Rice Today.

BUDDING SCIENTISTS have a lively discussion with Dr. Purugganan (right) during one of IRRI’s Young Researchers’ Lunches. (Photo: IRRI)

34 Rice Today January-March 2016 riceTODAY around the world

RETIRING BUT STILL STORYTELLING. Retiring Rice Today editor-in-chief Gene Hettel (center) at the Cambodia Agricultural Research Institute (CARDI) in Phnom Penh with (from left): Zhao Dule, IRRI representative for Cambodia; Thun Vathany, head of CARDI Plant Breeding Division; Seng Vang, CARDI deputy director; Sieng Layheng, deputy head of CARDI Plant Breeding Divison; Glenn Denning, professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs; and Kong Kynet, CARDI researcher in plant transformation. Read the rice production miracle in Cambodia as told by Dr. Denning in his Pioneer Interview on pages 22-29.

TOWERING FIGURES. (Left to right) Bryce Blackman, former agronomy and extension specialist at IRRI; Noel Magor, head of IRRI's Impact Acceleration Unit and Training Center; and Poornima Shankar, knowledge management and outreach specialist at IRRI—all experts in their fields—are dwarfed by the towering Brihadeeswarar temple. At 66 meters, it is one of the tallest temples of its kind. The Brihadeeswarar is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples” in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.

DRONE TO Rice Today. Mark Yong, CEO and co-founder of Garuda Robotics, browses through the 2015 4th quarter edition of Rice Today. Singapore-based Garuda Robotics provides drone solutions for agriculture, security, infrastructure, and telecommunications to help businesses make decisions for better productivity and efficiency.

Rice Today January-March 2016 35 rice facts

Is the global rice market headed for a repeat of the 2007-08 rice price crisis?

by Samarendu Mohanty

he 2007-08 rice price spike after a steady decline prior to mid- Despite the current stability in seems to have taken place ages 2014 (Fig. 1). There has been some the rice market, there are reasons ago considering the calmness support for rice prices in the past few for concern about the medium-term in the rice market in the past months because of weather scares (mid- to late 2016) direction of the fewT years despite El Niño and other such as drought in India, Indonesia, market. The rice stocks of five major weather-related scares. Rice prices Thailand, and the Philippines, but exporters (India, Thailand, Vietnam, in the international market have this has not been enough to turn Pakistan, and the United States) stabilized in the past few months things around. continue to slide since peaking at

36 Rice Today January-March 2016 USD/ton upward swing in the wheat price, 600 which might drag rice prices upward, thus creating anxiety among 500 policymakers. Ultimately, the 2016 wet-season rice crop, which accounts 400 for nearly 90% of the total crop, will ultimately decide whether or not 300 the government decides to restrict the flow of rice out of the country to 200 stabilize domestic prices. Uncertainty about India’s situation in the coming months does 100 Thailand India not augur well for the international rice market and global food security. 0 Also, major Asian importers such as Indonesia and the Philippines are June 2013 June 2014 June 2015 March 2013 March 2014 March 2015 battling their weather-related supply September 2013 December 2013 September 2014 December 2014 September 2015 December 2015 uncertainty and low inventory and Date have been aggressively procuring rice from the international market. Fig. 1. Price of 25% broken rice (March 2013-December 2015). On the positive side, global wheat Source: FAO Rice Market Monitor. stocks, which were at a record 215 million tons in 2014-15, are projected nearly 41 million tons in 2013 (Fig. 2). also expected to drop this year. The to go even higher by another 24 The biggest drawdown of stocks in procurement stock as of 1 February million tons this year (Fig. 4). these countries is underway this year, 2016 was close to 29 million tons This should provide some limited with a 40% drop from 2015, to reach (milled rice equivalent), according protection for prices in case there is 19 million tons by late 2016, according to information available on the Food a supply concern for rice in Asia in to USDA data. Corporation of India website (Fig. 3). 2016. The majority of the 13 million The rice stock is not as much as it was It will be an interesting few tons drop in total inventory will three years ago but it seems to be at months for the global market, which come from the top two exporters, an acceptable level. faces a tight supply situation for the India and Thailand. To put things The problem for rice is likely to first time since 2007-08. If the 2016 in perspective, the combined stocks come from wheat, with an expected wet-season crop turns out to be of India and Thailand are projected lower harvest in April and possible normal in the major rice-growing to be around 16 million tons by the third quarter of 2016—around 70% lower than in 2013. With Thai rice stocks dropping to 5 million tons Percent Million tons 35 60 by late 2016, the buffer that the Thai mortgage stocks provided to the Stocks Stock-to-use ratio 30 50 market in the past two years will be almost gone by the end of this year. 25 40 But, more significantly, India’s deteriorating grain situation is 20 30 particularly worrisome to the market. 15 In 2013, India exported 24 million 20 tons of grains: 10.5 million tons of 10 rice and 13.5 million tons of wheat 10 and corn combined. In 2016, the 5 combined exports of wheat and corn 0 0 are projected to drop to 1.5 million tons because of weather-related 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 supply problems. Some even predict Years that India will be a net importer of wheat and corn in 2016. The rice Fig. 2. Top five exporters rice stocks vs. stock-to-use ratio.* situation is not as bad as that of corn Source: PSD Online Database, USDA (accessed on 12 February 2016). and wheat, but Indian rice exports are *India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and the United States.

Rice Today January-March 2016 37 Million tons 40 Late 2016 and early 35 2017 will be an 30 25 interesting period 20

15 for the global rice 10 market. This will 5 be the first time 0 January 2005July 2005January 2006July 2006January 2007July 2007January 2008July 2008January 2009July 2009January 2010July 2010January 2011July 2011January 2012July 2012January 2013July 2013January 2014July 2014January 2015July 2015January 2016 the market will be Date tested with a tight Fig. 3. Indian rice stocks in central pool (1 January 2005 to 1 February 2016). Source: Food Corporation of India. stock situation

Million tons similar to what was 250 witnessed in 200 2007–08.

150

100 countries, then the pressure on rice prices will be significantly relieved, and the market will likely remain 50 fairly stable through early 2017. However, if the season is rocked by some major weather events such as 0 drought, cyclone or typhoon, and flooding in a few major countries, the 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 mettle of the market will definitely Years be tested. With limited Thai rice Fig. 4. Global wheat stocks. stocks in the warehouse, it remains Source: PSD Online Database, USDA (accessed on 12 February 2016). to be seen how major exporting and importing countries react to such uncertainty. If they panic similar to 2007-08 and resort to excessive buying

PHOTO: IRRI PHOTO: and export restrictions, then another price spike is in the offing. However, if they keep their cool and remain rational regarding their needs, the market price may still go up, but up only to a level that is consistent with market fundamentals. n

Dr. Mohanty is the head of the Social Science Division and program leader (Targeting and policy) at the International Rice Research Institute.

38 Rice Today January-March 2016 grain of truth

he International Rice Genebank is the largest collection of rice T genetic diversity in the world, Genebank holding more than 127,000 rice accessions and wild relatives for safe keeping and sharing for the common by Michael Jackson public good. It is a virtual universe tourism that contains many important traits that rice breeders need, according to Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton, an evolutionary biologist who succeeded ven though I managed a large India, Lao People’s Democratic Dr. Jackson. genebank for 10 years at the Republic, and Myanmar to name “The diversity in the Genebank is International Rice Research just a few, even disgraced former massive,” he says. “There is diversity Institute (IRRI), I still don’t fully President Fujimori of Peru); heads for almost every conceivable trait, understandE why seeing lots and lots of government and other politicians almost every conceivable development of packets of seeds in cold storage (from Bangladesh, Vietnam, objective.” at -18oC—essentially a very large and the Philippines, of course); IRRI works to ensure the long- freezer—holds such a fascination ambassadors and other members term preservation of rice biodiversity for so many people. There’s nothing of the diplomatic community in the as a part of the global strategy for particularly glamorous about that, Philippines; Nobel Laureates such the conservation of rice genetic but it just seems everyone wants to as Norman Borlaug (Peace, 1970) resources. This is in partnership with walk inside and see for themselves. and Joseph Stiglitz (Economics, national programs and regional and In a tropical country like the 2001); heads and representatives international organizations worldwide, Philippines, this is a novel experience, of donor agencies to IRRI; eminent including the CGIAR Research Program of course. Not so at the Svalbard scientists; and germplasm specialists for Managing and Sustaining Crop Global Seed Vault inside the Arctic with a particular interest in seeing Collections. Circle. I guess there are times of how IRRI tackles the challenge of the year when it must be colder managing such a large germplasm outside than inside. There again, that collection. genebank has a particular attraction Usually, I had just 10–15 minutes rice varieties, or, in fact, realized that and significance. at most to describe why conserving such diversity even existed. Visitors to IRRI’s genebank have rice seeds was so important for the There’s no doubt however that ranged from royalty (Princess Maha future of rice agriculture—after all, explaining the role and work of the Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, rice is the staple food of half the genebank to these visitors is not only Prince Albert of Monaco, and The world’s population. Most visitors necessary, but it is a rather important Duke of Gloucester from the UK); had never been inside in a genebank aspect of genebank management. heads of state (from the Philippines, before, let alone seen the diversity of These visitors are “genebank ambassadors” and can spread the OBLIVIOUS TO THE COLD, Dr. Jackson takes good word about the strategic Nobel Tourist-Laureate Norman Borlaug on a importance of genetic conservation. walkthrough of the genebank’s large freezer n during his 1999 visit to the Institute. Time (mostly) well spent!

Dr. Jackson started his career in genetic resources in the UK and Latin America during the 1970s and '80s and then spent 19 eventful years at IRRI (1991- 2010) in various capacities—germplasm specialist and the first head of the Genetic Resources Center (created in 1991); program leader for Rice Genetic Resources: Conservation, Safe Delivery, and Use; and then, in a complete turnabout, director for Program Planning and Communications (in 2001). This GOT is based on one of his Balanced Diet blog posts.

Rice Today January-March 2016 39 40 Rice Today January-March 2016