HOME | IRRI 65

Building on 65 years of excellence

Driving bolder rice science

innovation and partnerships

for impact

A bolder approach to rice science is urgently needed.

As the global population surges and climate change tightens its grip, the need for bold, game-changing solutions in rice production is more urgent than ever.

A study published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that high temperatures could reduce rice yields by up to 2% for every 1°C increase in average global temperature.

The United Nations (UN) estimates that by 2025, two-thirds of the global population could face water shortages, particularly affecting water-intensive crops like rice.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 460 million people globally living with diabetes, a number that is expected to rise to 700 million by 2045.

Smallholder farmers, who produce more than 50% of the world’s rice, often lack access to credit, modern farming tools, and technical support, limiting their ability to improve productivity and adopt climate-resilient practices.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity estimates the global cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation at $4-5 trillion per year, including the loss of genetic resources vital for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Loss of genetic diversity makes rice crops more vulnerable to diseases and environmental stresses.

Inaction has dire
consequences.

As a lifeline for billions, enhancing the availability, sustainability, and nutritional value of rice is fundamental to global food and nutrition security. Traditional rice research approaches and partnership models won’t cut it.

For its 65th year, IRRI is gearing up to launch our new 10-year vision and 5-year institutional strategy. Now and into the next decade, IRRI will be diving deep into the unique environments where rice is grown and work even harder with partners to design solutions that are tailor-made to each region’s needs.

irri-recieves-google-support-apply-ai-climate-resilient-rice-dev-banner.jpg

Building tailored solutions and engaging in collaborative innovation

Understanding the specific environmental needs of rice cultivation goes beyond identifying what people want. It involves considering diverse agricultural conditions, climate variations, and socio-economic factors that impact rice production. Moving forward, IRRI will intensify its focus on designing solutions tailored to local contexts while being resilient to climate change, resource scarcity, and evolving agricultural demands. This understanding enables the development of technologies, practices, and policies that truly benefit rice-dependent farmers.

The goal is not to conduct research for its own sake but to develop solutions that create lasting impacts on food systems, communities, and economies, especially in rice-dependent regions. Scaling this impact requires thoughtful integration, widespread collaboration, and continuous adaptation to the evolving needs of farmers and ecosystems.

Furthermore, our South-South learning approach allows us to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between rice-growing countries, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances the collective efforts to improve food security and sustainable agriculture. This collaborative, context-driven approach enables IRRI to make a meaningful and lasting impact on global food systems.

As we unveil our bold 2025-2030 Strategy, we know that ending global poverty and hunger demands more than just innovation—it demands action, partnerships, and a relentless push for change. The biggest challenges lie ahead, and we’re ready to take them on with our partners, delivering the innovations that will reshape the future of global food and nutrition security.

IRRI’s Next Chapter: Sharper Focus, Stronger Impact

With a bold 10-year vision and a focused 2025–2030 strategy, IRRI is shifting from broad offerings to targeted, demand-driven solutions.

We align with what the world needs most and deliver measurable impact where it matters.

Download PDF

Inspire

Leading and inspiring demand-led innovations for a healthier and more
resilient rice future.

Invigorate

Invigorating sustainable rice-based food systems partnerships through
complementary solutions and investments.

Co-create

Co-creating a sustainable future led by empowered farmers, inclusive markets, and future-ready research
institutions.

Save the Date

We look forward to having you be a part of these milestone events! For inquiries, email irri-65@cgiar.org.

Dr. Yvonne Pinto
Director-General

Fostering partnerships with impact.

IRRI cannot do it alone. We engage with and continue to rely on partners to co-develop scalable technologies, methodologies, and innovations for farmers and rice value chain actors all over the world, accelerating impact across global rice systems based on their needs.