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In the middle of the 19th century, rice was the economic backbone of Japanese society. Hierarchical ranks of feudal lords were determined by the amount of rice produced in their respective territories. Even the annual salary for samurai warriors and administrators was paid in rice. However, since the introduction...

IRRI scientists getting down and dirty for Rice Survivor. There was a time in recent years when it was apparent that an agronomist was a threatened species. Government...

Farmers transplanting rice in Cambodia. (Photo: IRRI) Recently, quite a number of stories have been in the media about what has been called a “novel...

(Photo: IRRI) Although GM potato with modified starch and Bt maize are currently grown in Germany and Spain, respectively, nearly 15 years have passed...

A shipment of rice from Vietnam gets unloaded in Manila, Philippines. (Photo: IRRI)  Rice availability has been considered a key indicator of food security...

Pests should be critically reassessed and proven guilty before insecticide use is contemplated. This was my conclusion in 1994 with the late Professor...

Rice market in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: IRRI) According to recent estimates by the United Nations, the world population will reach 7 billion in October...

Iron-enriched rice will soon contribute to reducing “hidden hunger.” (Photo: Kurniawan) Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia cause...

Photo: IRRI The eighth day of March 2011 marked the 100th International Women’s Day. This year’s theme touched base with the call to provide women...

Rice seed production in 100 ha at the farmers field in Brazil.  Latin America has a tiny share in global rice production—only around 4% of the total....