IRRI asks Cambodia to develop low

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to develop a low-sugar paddy seed technically called low glycemic index or low GI paddy seed in Cambodia, said a release.

IRRI's Asia Director Jongsoo Shin on Monday came up with the initiative during a meeting with MAFF's Minister Dith Tina, said the release.

IRRI is the world's premier research institution dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science and improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers. It is also dedicated to protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations.

Tina asked the IRRI delegation to cooperate with the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Department of International Cooperation of the ministry on the IRRI initiative.

"Comprehensive analysis with high attention in both research on paddy seeds and market development is needed," said Tina, adding that all projects need to consider people's health, income, safety and sustainability.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday said that research on high-productive paddy seeds is one of the government's new strategies to transform a broad agricultural development approach to a comprehensive one, while CARDI has launched a new rice variety named Champei Sar 70 that enables farmers to farm two to three times a year and a yield of 4.5 tons per hectare.

"We have to find good seeds that would provide high outputs in addition to intensification and technical inputs are very important for our agriculture development, which would enable [farmers] to produce more output," the Premier said while addressing the graduation ceremony of the Royal University of Agriculture, Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture and Kampong Cham National School of Agriculture.

Although the Champei Sar 70 paddy seed has not yet been produced for sale, CARDI encouraged farmers to choose this rice variety to grow because of its weather and insect-resistant qualities and planting in the short term, which will make farmers reduce costs, including that of fertilizers.

This new rice variety will be supported by consumers both in the country as well as the international market, as it provides standard rice that meets the needs of the international market, according to CARDI which will start supplying new rice varieties nationwide through farmers, mills and farming communities.

During a recent visit to CARDI, Tina applauded CARDI's effort in rice research and development, saying that despite some difficulties, CARDI is still able to develop a new rice variety that is good and important for farmers. "The development of this new variety can be considered a great achievement for the institute and the agricultural sector, as well as the image of Cambodia," Tina added.

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