Written by the Web Team
In recognition of the importance of its partners in developing high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies for farmers toward productivity, PhilRice reinforces its ties with its local and international rice R&D counterparts during the 2014 Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) Expert Workshop on Development of Rice Production Techniques for Increase of Self-Sufficiency of Staple Food.
The AFACI workshop appraises the efforts of member-countries with their rice production projects for staple food self-sufficiency and organized plans of action for future appointments. The workshop was held on July 8-12 at the Makiling Hotel, UPLB.
Rice research experts from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and Nepal participated in the workshop.
“This technical cooperation made feasible the sharing of genetic resources on different rice technologies such as seeds. It forges and sustains linkages among participating countries,” Dr. Victoria Lapitan of PhilRice said.
Appointed country Principal Investigators along with AFACI Deputy Secretary General Dr. Lee Sang-duk and PhilRice senior researchers assessed the progress and projections of their respective rice research projects.
The dialogue focused on the AFACI rice projects on improving sustainable agricultural and food technologies, and addressing changes in the agricultural environment. The discussion particularly revolved around improvement of seedling technique; development of pest and disease resistant, weather-resilient rice varieties; mechanization of transplanting; and cultivation technique with high quality and functionality.
It is expected that continued partnership with AFACI in conducting collaborative research projects will help address the common rice production issues of the member-countries through sharing of information and exchange of knowledge and ideas to increase rice productivity.
“The best farming practices shared by rice self-sufficient countries such as South Korea and Thailand during the workshop should further boost our enthusiasm and motivation as researchers to pursue and “double-time” our research efforts on rice varietal development for adverse environments. Let’s do this to maintain rice productivity,” Lapitan said.
