IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is a non-profit agricultural research center focused on rice science. It is headquartered in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, and was established in 1960 as part of the Green Revolution, with initial support from the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Government of the Philippines. IRRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium of international agricultural research centers.

IRRI's mission is to reduce poverty and hunger by improving the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of rice farming. The institute develops and disseminates high-yielding varieties and farming practices, collaborates with national programs, universities, extension services, and farmers, and supports policy and capacity-building to scale innovations.

Research activities span plant breeding and genetics, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, agronomy and crop management, postharvest handling, seed systems, and value-chain development. IRRI also emphasizes climate resilience, water management, and environmentally sustainable intensification, and hosts data resources and genomics programs, including partnerships in the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project.

Notable achievements include the development of high-yielding varieties associated with the Green Revolution, such as IR8, IR36, and IR64, which contributed to rapid yield gains in many rice-growing regions. IRRI's work has influenced rice breeding and production worldwide, and the institute continues to support researchers and farmers through training, collaborations, and technology transfer.

IRRI is funded by governments and philanthropic donors through CGIAR; it maintains regional and country offices to support partners in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Its work aims to boost food security, nutrition, and livelihoods while promoting sustainable farming and environmental stewardship.