Permanent Mission to ASEAN co-organizes a briefing on the ASEAN RiceNet Program with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

17 February 2020 - The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN co-organized a briefing event on the ASEAN RiceNet Program with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, the Missions of China, and Korea to ASEAN, the Project Management Teams of China, and Korea, and the ASEAN Secretariat attended the briefing.

Dr. Shoba Venkatanagappa, IRRI Senior Scientist revealed that the ASEAN RiceNet Program will benefit rice farmers and consumers across ASEAN through faster access to new and improved rice varieties which are better adapted to the changing climate and tolerant to pest
and disease, contributing to increased farm productivity, agricultural sustainability, and food security.

These rice varieties would mitigate crop yield losses, reduce overall malnutrition, and improve environmental sustainability, factors which will become more important in the future as the countries in the region collectively face the adverse effects of climate change.

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).

The program is expected to generate USD 500 million in economic benefit within 10 years.