Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund Capacity Development Program for ASEAN RiceNet
| Proponent | : | International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Implementing Agency | : | International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines |
Background
Rice production in ASEAN faces challenges due to the adverse impacts of climate change, land degradation, population increases and urbanisation. For every one degree Celsius increase in temperature is projected to reduce rice yields by 10% (Peng et al., 2004) and economic growth by 1.3% (Dell, Jones, and Olken,2012). Global Climate Risk Index 2020 shows four AMS (Myanmar, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Thailand) are among the ten countries most affected by climate change with heavy rainfall, floods and droughts causing production losses. In addition, yield loss of up to 23% is expected in some areas of Viet Nam, one of the biggest exporters of rice (Teng et. al., 2016). Particularly for Among Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV), malnutrition under age five expressed as stunting are 32.4%, 44.2%, 24.6% and 29.4% respectively (Global Nutrition Report 2020).
Recognising the challenges, ASEAN Member States (AMS) endorsed a new regional network called ASEAN RiceNet at the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in 2019. The network aims to share and evaluate advanced rice breeding lines to support all AMS to release farmer-required, climate-resilient, and high-performing conventional rice varieties.
What is the project aiming for?
The project will develop the capacity of scientists and researchers in CLMV who are expected to contribute to implementing advanced breeding technologies and preparing national variety release planning for climate-resilient rice varieties after the project is over. Developing local capacity is seen as a critical factor to the overall success of the ASEAN RiceNet program and long-term sustainability. The project will capacitate 60 researches, including 30 women researchers, through the following activities:
- Training courses and on-the-job training to cover major aspects of implementing and evaluating multi environment trials and field activities; and
- In-country workshop training for standardized protocols in CLMV for implementing germplasm testing and evaluation trials as a part of annual site visits to observe and monitor national trials.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Noel Servigon underscored the value of the ASEAN RiceNet Program as an initiative that is intended to not only manage the effects of climate change and ensure food security in the region but also complement existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR).
Briefing on the ASEAN RiceNet Program with IRRI
17 February 2020
ASEAN Secretariat
Jakarta, Indonesia
The project contributes to enhancing competitiveness as per the 2016-2025 Vision and Strategic Plan for ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry, which sets out the goals to mitigate and adapt to shocks such as climate change and natural disasters. This project is aligned to the goals and action plans of the Initiative for ASEAN integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025) by contributing to the Strategic Area of Food and Agriculture, Action V.
The project will be implemented for a period of two years from 2021 to 2023.
As of 31 August 2021
