By US News Agency / Asian

In line with the thrust of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop the next generation of rice breeders, a 16-day training course on rice breeding started on October 5 and will run until October 20.

IRRI officials said the course aims to provide the participants with theoretical knowledge and practical tools and techniques for implementing efficient and modern rice breeding programs, and thus, address the challenges of food security and poverty alleviation under a changing climate scenario.

The course will also provide participants ample opportunity to share experiences and lessons from public and private sector breeding programs, as well as familiarize them with the latest international developments for accessing genetic resources and technologies critical for rice breeding program implementation, officials added.

Twenty participants from 11 countries — Philippines, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Russia, South Korea, and Tanzania including five participants from the private sector and non-government organizations, are participating in the training course.

Officials said the training will use various approaches such as interactive lectures, group learning exercises and discussions, presentations on country/institutional breeding programs, field and laboratory visits, post-training action plan development, and a field trip to observe Philippine breeding programs and seed systems.

Organizers have scheduled a trip to the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao province to enable resource persons and participants to see for themselves the world known rice terraces in the Cordillera region.

Modules will be developed and presented by key IRRI scientists and resource persons, officials said.

The training course is being coordinated by Ed Redoña, senior scientist and INGER coordinator, and facilitated by Angie Maghuyop of the IRRI Training Center.