IRRI to enhance cooperation with China in addressing global rice issues
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
MANILA, June 16 (Xinhua): The Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said recently that it seeks to deepen collaboration with China to help developing nations boost rice production.
"Given the current world rice situation, with high prices and an urgent need to boost productivity, the IRRI-China relationship will only become more important in the coming years," said IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler in an e-mail interview with Xinhua.
IRRI has just received one of China's most prestigious scientific awards, the international science and technology cooperation award, for its contribution to accelerate China's rice science development by imparting rice technologies to China and training Chinese scientists.
IRRI is the first international organization to receive the award, which has been only granted to foreign individuals in the past.
"Given the current world rice situation, with high prices and an urgent need to boost productivity, the IRRI-China relationship will only become more important in the coming years," said IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler in an e-mail interview with Xinhua.
IRRI has just received one of China's most prestigious scientific awards, the international science and technology cooperation award, for its contribution to accelerate China's rice science development by imparting rice technologies to China and training Chinese scientists.
IRRI is the first international organization to receive the award, which has been only granted to foreign individuals in the past.