Driving new discoveries and innovations in the rice sector

For over 65 years, IRRI has been at the forefront of agricultural research, development, and innovation. Together with its partners around the world and within the CGIAR, the institute has been advancing novel research pathways, exploring new technologies and methodologies, and transforming the way rice is grown. Here are some of IRRI’s research highlights and technology advancements in 2024:  

IRRI has achieved several firsts in hybrid rice innovation. It helped release Mestiso 149 and the world's first coastal salinity-tolerant hybrid, DRRH-5. It also licensed Mestiso 120, the first low-methane hybrid, to Tao Foods Company in the Philippines. 

A 2024 IRRI-led study unveiled rice lines with ultra-low glycemic index (below 45%) and record-high protein content, nearly double that of conventional rice, offering powerful potential for managing blood sugar and boosting nutritional value.

The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, through the Directorate General of Food, developed a program aimed at significantly increasing the cultivation of Inpari IR Nutri Zinc biofortified rice. The goal is to expand the cultivated area from 10,000 hectares in 2020 to 200,000 hectares by 2024. This initiative has seen an increase in participation, with the number of regions involved growing from 34 in 2020 to 160 by 2023. To further support this effort, the Indonesian government is providing seeds to farmers, particularly focusing on regions with a high prevalence of stunting.