Rice experts are set for crucial meet in Vietnam

Rice-producing countries, farmers, traders, exporters and importers will have an opportunity to learn more about rice businesses, new rice varieties, technology and market trends at the International Rice Congress 2010. This congress comes as farming area is declining, the effects of climate change are being felt, and global rice consumption is growing. The International Rice Congress 2010, the world's largest gathering of rice scientists, researchers and technology experts will be held from November 8-12 in Hanoi at the Vietnam National Convention Centre. Hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of and organised by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), this year's theme is "Rice for Future Generations". Phuc Tuong, principle scientist, water science, of IRRI's Crop and Environmental Science Division, said it is expected that more than 1,000 visitors will participate in this event. Tuong, who is also chairman of the organising committee of IRC 2010, added that a number of conferences will be held parallel to the event. The International Rice Research Conference and the Rice for the Future Generation Conference will focus on how science can help farmers to grow rice efficiently with satisfactory yields. In addition, it will also look to ensuring that succeeding generations of farmers can grow rice. The International Rice Policy and Investment Conference is a new forum created to provide more |information to those who want |to invest in related rice businesses such as farm machinery and tools, farm technology and farm management. Rice exhibitions will allow farmers, companies related to the rice industry and researchers to present their products and innovations. And a ministerial roundtable |discussion will create a forum for the private sector to share ideas |with government officials and agriculture ministers from member countries. Here, both sides will exchange ideas on a variety of issues such as climate change, balancing prices, foreign direct investment, sustainable development and rice security in Asia. Finally, it is a good occasion to celebrate the 50th IRRI anniversary. "It has also created a great opportunity for IRRI to connect more with the private sector to seek more financial support. IRC is also a vehicle to drive our long-term objectives in providing knowledge and technology," said Tuong. Samarendu Mohanty, head and senior economist of the Social Sciences Division of IRRI, said the rice business needed to draw more investment into manufacturing plants for machinery, rice mills, and also into research and development. "The investment will improve production potential in rice-producing countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Vietnam and African nations where their production is still low," Mohanty said. Mohanty added that IRRI wants to see investment in the rice and agricultural sector put into improving yields and the rice-supply chain, rather than into purchasing land to grow rice for commercial purposes. "Investment in the agricultural sector has been declining for 20 years," said Mohanty.