International Rice Research Institute
Experience: 5 to 10 Years
Skill Required: Research, Survey and Report Writing
Apply By: 28-11-2022
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff. Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.
Job Background And Purpose:
(information is used to support the advertisement) IRRI in association with NARES partners is engaged in developing and promoting high-yielding, climate-resilient, nutrient-rich, and other potential varieties in rice-based farming systems and exploring the implementable options for crop diversification and intensification. A timely replacement of older varieties with new ones and ensuring seed replacement rate significantly impact farm productivity and resource optimization, thus making farming more remunerative. There is a need to scale up the adoption of these varieties for better impacts. Indian national programs release many rice/crops cultivars each year, but relatively farmers adopt few. The farmer-to-farmer exchange is considered to be the main mechanism for the widespread dissemination of varieties. However, a lot of work needs to be done to ensure the quality of seeds distributed in farmer-managed systems through the engagement of potential community-led institutions. The formal seed chain needs to advance and scale the production, and distribution of new varieties/products through a strengthened Breeder Seed and Foundation seed linkage and timely/ production and distribution in the right volume for better access to quality seeds. Evidence-driven data need to be generated to evaluate the varietal performance of new varieties against the old popular varieties and data from on-farm trials need to be organized and fed systematically to NARES breeding and varietal improvement programs. Research for development needs to be strengthened around seed system models, varietal delivery, and adoption. Stakeholder feedback around a new product being evaluated and introduced or developed need to be captured systematically and fed into breeding programs. The seed business remains a potential enterprise opportunity for many farmers or farmer’s groups and needs to be built as a sustainable model for enhancing localized access, production, and supply of quality seeds. It is also important to compare and find the pros and cons of different delivery /extension approaches while disseminating these varieties and expecting adoption and research around this also needs to be strengthened.
This position under the supervision of officers and scientists will support seed system research programs through experiments deployment, community mobilization, close on-field coordination with implementing partners, survey execution, timely data collection and management, ground reporting, and facilitation of other initiatives from time to time.
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