LAOS Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Friday for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between his country and the research institution for greater collaboration.
According to IRRI Director General Dr. Robert Zeigler, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) made significant advances in food production since the early 1990s and now has the potential to become a rice exporter, which would add to the national economy and contribute to regional food security.
Through the memorandum, IRRI will build on its collaboration with Lao PDR to develop rice varieties especially suited to the country, conserve local rice bio-diversity, improve the production of quality seeds, address factors that limit rice productivity, help mechanize rice production, and build capacity across the rice science and extension sector.
Lao PDR will seek financial backing to support the work outlined in the MOU.
Collaboration between Lao PDR and IRRI began in the late 1960s and continued in the 1970s with testing of improved rice breeding material from IRRI’s rice breeding and selection work in Lao PDR.
The first MOU was signed in 1987 between Lao PDR and IRRI. Starting 1990 until 2007, a Swiss agency extended assistance, heightening Lao PDR-IRRI collaborative work.
In January 2007, Lao PDR and IRRI signed another agreement establishing a regional hub and a Mekong sub-region office. Currently, IRRI has had at least 13 staff posted to Lao PDR.
The Southeast Asian country has already reaped the benefits of rice research through the adoption of modern rice varieties and rice farming technologies that have helped boost national rice production to over three million tons, up from 1.5 million in the last 20 years, Ziegler said.
During his Friday’s visit, Prime Minister Thongsing also toured IRRI’s International Rice Genebank, to which Lao PDR has contributed more than 15,000 types of rice—making it the second largest contributor.
Rice seed preserved in the International Rice Genebank is the source of valuable traits for the development of new and improved rice varieties for future generations.
Prime Minister Thongsing also donated several traditional rice farming tools from Lao PDR to IRRI’s Riceworld Museum during his tour of the facility.
The Laos prime minister arrived in the Philippines Thursday for a two-day official visit upon the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino III. (PCOO)