Around 500 researchers, scientists, members of the academe, students, farmers, and other stakeholders will gather at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija for the 29th National Rice R&D Conference, September 7-8, 2016.
With the theme, R4D and rice security, the 2016 conference will focus on plans and strategies for attaining rice security.
“With this conference, we aim to get feedback and advice from rice industry stakeholders on the relevant rice R4D thrusts and initiatives to achieve rice security,” said Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, newly-designated acting executive director of the Institute. Abdula will give a presentation titled Roadmap for Impact: The PhilRice Strategic Plan, 2017-2022.
Anchored on the new strategic plan, this year’s conference will launch the vision, Rice-Secure Philippines of PhilRice and its partners. Rice security as defined by PhilRice means affordability, and accessibility to high-quality and nutritious rice at all times. The new vision encompasses broad areas relating to rice cultivation, commerce, consumption, and competitiveness. It is founded on the DA’s vision of a “food-secure society where farmers enjoy decent and rising standards of living.”
The conference papers and posters will also revolve around four thematic areas: rice germplasm and breeding for improving yields, grain quality and nutrition, resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses; crop management options for increasing/sustaining yields and improving resource-use efficiency; technologies, systems, tools, and socio-economic information for efficient rice and rice-based farming; and technology promotion and delivery for accelerating adoption and achieving impacts on farm productivity and sustainability. The R4D projects in support of the food staples sufficiency program of the DA in collaboration with international and national/local organizations will also be highlighted.
Four plenary sessions and 37 papers for concurrent sessions will be presented along with 99 technical posters for viewing. Three farmers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will also share their experiences and best practices.
New PhilRice knowledge products will also be launched including two books, rice technology handouts, PhilRice Milestones, infographic series, and videos.
The National Rice R&D Conference is the most significant scientific gathering annually hosted by PhilRice. It opens avenues to discuss and challenge ideas and technologies concerning the country’s rice R&D.
