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International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE LAUREATE

Development Cooperation

3rd Edition

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Development Cooperation category goes in this third edition to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for its contribution to reducing poverty and hunger in the world by means of rice research and farmer training.

CITATION (EXCERPT)

The 2010 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Development Cooperation has been granted to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), “a non profit organization whose mission is to reduce poverty and hunger in the world by means of rice research and farmer training. Rice is a dietary staple for the population of the developing world.

In particular, IRRI is deemed to merit the award for the quality of its research work, which has led to the development of new rice varieties adapted to different cropping areas in Asia and providing improved yield and sustainability across multiple climate regimes. For its success in transferring the results of its research, by working with local teams and organizations in Asian and sub-Saharan countries and making its varieties freely available to farmers.

By this means, the IRRI has secured the effective dissemination of its innovations with the resultant increase in production of this basic crop.Through these contributions, the IRRI has helped to improve the food security and the agricultural base of people living in less developed countries, and thereby assist them in their economic take-off. For all these reasons the IRRI stands as a clear example of scientific research applied to development goals.”