IRRI Infrastructure Contribution

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is one of the oldest and largest international agricultural research institutes in Asia, playing a critical role in helping to feed almost half the world's population. It is an autonomous, non-profit rice research and education organisation. IRRI headquarters are located near Manila, Philippines and feature laboratories, training and accommodation facilities and an experimental farm. IRRI is one of the 15 research centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) which receive funding primarily from international donor organisations. The Institute's mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. IRRI's high-yielding rice varieties have helped to significantly increase world rice production, especially in Asia, while protecting the environment and training thousands of researchers. However, rice yield gains have declined over time, due in part to an under-investment in rice research over the last 20 years. Australia is a strong supporter of IRRI. The total value of this initiative is $15.4 million over 1 year, 2009-10.