Its main purpose is research, higher education and outreach in agricultural sciences, natural resources and related subjects in the American tropics. It also plays a major role in dealing with food and agricultural emergencies. Farmers learn sustainable, environmentally sound agricultural techniques. One of every three persons on earth depends on rice for more than half of his or her daily food. Ninety percent of the world's rice is grown and consumed in Asia,where more than half the world's people and about two-thirds of the world's poor live.
Rice is also an important staple in Latin America and Africa.
IRRI was established to help farmers in developing countries grow more rice on limited land with less water, less labor, and less chemical inputs, and to do so without harming the environment. We maintain a Directory of State Foresters with addresses, phone numbers, fax, and e-mail for each of our members. The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. OTS is dedicated to provide leadership in education, research, and the wise use of natural resources in the tropics. The Peace Corps is one of the world's largest environmental volunteer organizations.