5. Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) discussed at International Rice Congress
Channel: International Rice Research Institute
Date: 12/11/2010

See http://www.cgiar.org/our-research/cgiar-research-programs/rice-grisp/

One of the world's largest global scientific partnerships for sustainable agricultural development has launched a bold new research initiative that aims to dramatically improve the ability of rice farmers to feed growing populations in some of the world's poorest nations. The efforts of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP; http://irri.org/images/stories/hrs/GRISP_Executive_Summary_11-2-2010.pdf ) , are expected to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent the emission of greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to more than 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide.

This video clip (the third of four) highlights the significance of GRiSP, which was discussed during the closing session of the International Rice Congress on 11 November 2010. Here, representatives of some of the key GRiSP partners provide some comments including (from left to right in the video) Alain Ghesquière, head of the IRD Genome and Development Research Unit; Marco Wopereis, AfricaRice deputy director general and director of research for development; Carlos Pérez del Castillo, chair of CGIAR consortium board; Achim Dobermann, IRRI deputy director general for research; Robert Habib, head of the CIRAD Department of Tropical Production and Processing Systems; and César Martínez, CIAT rice program leader.

An initiative of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and led by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and its partners, GRiSP was launched in Hanoi today at the 3rd International Rice Congress. The new global initiative will lead scientists to embark on the most comprehensive attempt ever to deploy rice's genetic diversity. Cutting-edge research aimed at discovering new rice genes and deciphering their functions will feed into accelerated efforts to break the yield barrier in rice and to breed new generations of "climate-ready" rice with flooding tolerance and other traits that are essential for adapting production in the face of climate change. The initiative is expected to boost supplies enough to reduce anticipated increases in rice prices by an average of at least 6.5% by 2020, and at least 13% by 2035.