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Pioneer employees at an IRRI training session in the Philippines.

DuPont and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) -- the largest non-profit agricultural research center in Asia, with headquarters in the Philippines -- announced yesterday a partnership to boost rice yields.  The Scientific Know-How and Exchange Program (SKEP) establishes a model for public-private sector collaboration that can benefit farmers and consumers while stimulating commercial innovation.

“This innovative and novel partnership will enable the leading public research institution in rice breeding and genetics to collaborate with the global leader in advanced plant genetics, breeding and product development to increase global rice productivity,” said Bill Niebur, vice president, DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development.  “By partnering with IRRI to strengthen and accelerate hybrid rice breeding efforts, we will enhance commercialization of higher yielding hybrids in Asia to help meet global demand.”

The goal of the collaboration is to increase the rate of yield gains and to boost the quality and diversity of hybrid rice.  Collaborating scientists will further develop the understanding of hybrid vigor in rice and will work to develop hybrids with better resistance to brown planthopper, a key insect pest.  Aspects of this work will be shared publicly and will contribute to making better advanced breeding lines and hybrids available to rice breeders and farmers in Asia.  The project will complement the IRRI-led Hybrid Rice Research and Development Consortium.

“Yield growth rates have slowed to less than 1 percent per year since 2000.  If this trend isn’t reversed soon, future rice supplies will tighten and prices will rise,” said Achim Dobermann, IRRI deputy director general for research.  “A turnaround can only come through accelerated investment in rice research, including innovative, public-private sector partnerships such as this one between IRRI and DuPont.”

The new program also establishes a scholarship program to support continued interest in agricultural research.  DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred will fund a doctorate scholarship to educate a new generation of highly qualified rice scientists for the public and private sectors in Asia.

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