International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has launched the CGIAR Asia Pacific Hub, a new platform designed to boost agricultural innovation across South and Southeast Asia. This region faces severe threats from climate change, including unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and extreme weather, which endanger staple crops like rice, wheat, and maize. Such challenges could drastically reduce yields by 2050, putting millions at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.
Southeast Asia, often called the world’s rice bowl, produces a third of global rice and exports 40 percent. Meanwhile, over 793 million people in South Asia rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. In the Pacific, about three-quarters of the population live in rural areas dependent on farming and fishing. These facts highlight the urgent need for innovative agricultural science and region-specific solutions to ensure food security and resilience.
The CGIAR Asia Pacific Hub, led by IRRI as its first Asia Champion, aims to centralize and coordinate global CGIAR innovations tailored to the unique needs of this diverse region. By aligning the efforts of various CGIAR centers and situating teams closer to local time zones and agricultural environments, the Hub promises faster and more focused support for farmers and governments.
The Hub will also encourage collaboration across countries and crops. For example, it plans to connect the International Potato Center’s potato innovations with IRRI’s rice programs to share knowledge and technology. Additionally, the Hub will facilitate partnerships with ASEAN and Philippine government initiatives, helping them access CGIAR’s global projects and funding pools.
Dr. Yvonne Pinto, IRRI’s Director General, emphasized that the Hub is a key part of IRRI’s strategy to customize research for local needs, strengthening climate resilience and sustainable development.
CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, called the Hub a crucial step toward accelerating agricultural transformation through science and innovation in the region.
