IRRI Riceworld

IRRI develops rice varieties for the benefit of rice farmers and consumers. We conduct research and training to improve rice for better grain quality and higher yield, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance of environmental stresses, and less farm input requirement. We focus on the major rice ecosystems: irrigated, rainfed lowland, and upland systems. We employ conventional breeding and new tools in genetics and genomics-such as marker-assisted selection-as well as genetic modification. We develop genetically superior and elite rice breeding lines and hybrid varieties. IRRI shares these breeding lines with our research and extension partners in rice-producing countries. We are part of the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER) that facilitates the evaluation and multilateral exchange of rice products and information including elite breeding lines. This helps our partners develop varieties in their own breeding programs. To date, IRRI has produced 843 rice varieties that have been released in 77 countries. IRRI's rice breeding work is part of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP), Theme 2: Accelerating the development, delivery and adoption of improved rice varieties.