A delegation from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) led by Dr. Matthew Morell, IRRI Director General visited China National Rice Research Institute  (CNRRI) during 22 to 24 July 2019, to discuss cooperation on rice science and research. Dr. Hu Peisong, Director General of CNRRI met with Dr. Matthew Morell and other members of the delegation. Mr. Fang Xiang, Deputy Secretary of the Leading Party Group, Mr. Li Guorong, Deputy Director General and other relevant staff of CNRRI attended the meeting.

Dr. Hu Peisong briefed recent progress in cooperation between CNRRI and IRRI. He said that IRRI has made significant contribution to the breeding and extension of the indica variety IR8 and the first Green Revolution of the world, settling IRRI an most influential role in the global rice research; CNRRI expects a closer cooperation with IRRI, in the cause of global rice science and innovation, increase of rice farmers income, and world food security. Dr. Matthew Morell appreciated the reception and look forward to a more productive cooperation.

In the meeting the two sides had an in-depth discussion on ‘ASEAN +3’ Rice Breeding and Genetics Initiative, collaborative research of the China-IRRI Joint Research Center for Rice Quality & Nutrition, cooperation platform of IRRI in China, etc. Aiming to promote the strategic outreach of CNRRI and IRRI in world’s rice science & technology arena, both sides agreed to further promote training & exchange, and to establish a cooperation platform of IRRI in China based on mutual advantages. In addition, Dr. Hu Peisong and Dr. Matthew Morell signed the Memorandum of Agreement on Evaluation and Utilization of International Network of Genetic Evaluation for Rice (INGER).

IRRI delegation also visited some of the research facilities: the China-IRRI Joint Research Center for Rice Quality & Nutrition, the Rice Product Quality Supervision & Inspection Center of Ministry of Agriculture, National Mid-term Gene Bank for Rice, Phytotron, and Field Demonstration Area of New Varieties and Technologies.

By Shen Huizhi(shenhuizhi@caas.cn)