From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma accompanied by Chief Secretary WMS Pariat who arrived in the national capital on Friday, left for the Philippines on a three-day visit to the famous International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), a non-profit independent research and training organization based in the capital city of Manila, IRRI sources informed The Shillong Times.
During the visit, they would have an overview of the Institute’s research activities and discuss possible collaboration, the sources added.
IRRI develops new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques that help rice farmers improve the yield and quality of rice in an environmentally sustainable way. It works with both public and private sector partners in national agricultural research and extension systems in major rice-growing countries in areas of research, training, and knowledge transfer.
The basic aim of the institute is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships, and the strengthening of national agricultural research and extension systems.
IRRI’s goals contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and ensure environmental sustainability. IRRI is also part of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture (CGIAR).
In India, IRRI is involved in several activities like the Meghalaya Livelihood Improvement Project under the Meghalaya Rural Development Society and the North East Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCRMP).