News
IRRI-ACI tie up to modernise rice production
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) yesterday announced a partnership with Bangladesh’s Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI), Limited, to build a state-of-the-art rice breeding programme in Bangladesh, reports BSS. The partnership will help improve the lives of rice farmers and boost rise production through supporting better rice varieties and agricultural technologies. The collaboration will also support a wide range of projects aimed to accelerate genetic research
and advance breeding and product development for the Bangladesh rice ecosystem, the IRRI said. This agreement builds on the successful partnership developed between the two organisations through the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC), started in 2014, which is a public private partnership that enhances the dissemination of hybrid rice technology. HRDC, of which ACI has been a member since May 2014, was established at IRRI in 2008. IRRI’s unique expertise and technology platform will be available to ACI in the form of an intensive technology-transfer programme, partially financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
In addition, ACI will deploy specific elite varieties developed by IRRI that are suitable for Bangladesh agro-climatic conditions. A strong screening program, developed by ACI with the help of IRRI specialists, will yield a robust pipeline of new elite varieties. ACI will be responsible for market introduction of the best varieties.
“The objective of this collaboration with ACI is to facilitate higher rice yields, better quality, climate-change-tolerant varieties, and improved sustainability of rice production in Bangladesh”, IRRI Director General Matthew Morell said while commenting on the partnership.
“We are pleased to partner with IRRI, a recognised leader in rice research and development, to address the need to improve the lives of rice farmers through better rice varieties and agricultural technologies, which ensure creating wealth for farmers” said Dr. FH Ansarey, Executive Director for Agribusiness of ACI.
