Message from the Director General

2024 was a year of building for IRRI. It was a time to sharpen our priorities and lay the important groundwork for a bold new strategy, carefully tailored to directly respond to the rapidly evolving needs of the global rice sector.

Like many organizations, we faced a multitude of constraints such as shifting donor priorities, internal transitions, and funding realignments. Despite such setbacks and uncertainties, our science and impact across our 25 partner countries remained steadfast. Our portfolio grew to over 100 active projects this year, spanning innovations in nutrition, climate resilience, digital agriculture, social equity, and beyond.

We have made major strides in developing low glycemic index (GI), high-protein rice varieties that hold promise for combating diabetes for the over 800 million people affected by this disease. The International Rice Genebank also expanded global access to rice genetic diversity by launching a comprehensive rice variety panel, complete with genotypic data, to accelerate breeding and discovery. We are especially proud of our enduring partnership with our headquarters host country, the Philippines — a cooperation that has flourished over six decades of shared progress in rice science and now stands at the forefront of groundbreaking innovations for the decade ahead.

From scaling improved varieties and climate-smart practices to strengthening seed systems and disease surveillance, IRRI also advanced rice self-sufficiency efforts across Africa through inclusive breeding networks, strategic partnerships especially with the national agricultural research and extension systems, and farmer-centered innovations.

At the same time, we have continued to deliver digital agriculture tools such as Rice Crop Manager and SeedCast on-the-ground, reaching millions of farmers across Asia and Africa. These platforms provide tailored agronomic advice and improve seed system coordination, helping farmers make more informed decisions. In partnership with the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), we also launched the D4AgPH platform, which integrates existing digital innovations in the country to support smarter, data-driven decision-making across the rice value chain. Leading this exceptional team since mid-2024 has been both a joy and a unique and important privilege. As I reflect on the past year, I feel immensely proud of the progress we’ve made in advancing our mission and of the many talented and exceptional people whom we call ‘our team’.

Adding to the excitement of 2025, I am delighted to work with several new members of our Board of Trustees, including a new Board Chair, Mr. Fayezul Choudhury. Next year, we will have a full complement of members expertly selected to add value to IRRI’s future. Their collective global leadership, collegiate values, and expertise in areas including organizational excellence, international finance, corporate
governance, environmental sustainability, audit and risk management, plant genetics, and agricultural
innovations will be instrumental as IRRI treads a more strategic path towards driving greater impact and resilience through our science. We are truly excited to work closely with them in forging new changes and taking bolder strides in the coming years.

Whilst welcoming new members of the Board, I would like to recognize the enormous contribution of our Board Chair Dr. Cao Duc Phat, who will be departing the role in 2025. He has dedicated steadfast support for IRRI for over six years, and we wish him the best in his next roles.

As IRRI embarks on an exciting new chapter, I encourage everyone to move forward with renewed energy and commitment. To work collaboratively as we shape a future where rice systems nourish people, protect the planet, and empower communities, especially in the most vulnerable regions.

With the combined strength of IRRI, our partners and collaborators, and the communities we serve, I am confident that our new five-year strategy and the 10-year vision behind it, will provide the clarity and direction needed to deliver much-needed results where they matter most.

Dr. Yvonne Pinto

Director General

As IRRI embarks on an exciting new chapter, I encourage everyone to move forward with renewed energy and commitment. To work collaboratively as we shape a future where rice systems nourish people, protect the planet, and empower communities, especially in the most vulnerable regions.

Dr. Yvonne Pinto

Director General