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</font></font><a class="date"><em><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#666666" size="2">Posted 23 December 2009</font></em></a><br><br><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="2"><strong>PHILIPPINES</strong></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
1-PHILIPPINES UPGRADES GMO AND PATHOGEN DETECTION LAB<br>2-VIRUS-RESISTANT PAPAYA WILL BOOST INDUSTRY<br>3-GM RICE APPROVAL IN CHINA MAY LEAD TO RP PROPAGATION<br>4-BPI OPENS P3.1-M FACILITY TO TEST GMOS, ENSURE SAFETY<br>
<br></font><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="2"><strong>CHINA</strong></font></a><br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">5-SYNGENTA EXPANDS BIOTECH R&D CAPABILITY IN CHINA<br>
<br></font><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="2"><strong>PAKISTAN</strong></font></a><br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">6-Bt COTTON VARIETIES AWAIT APPROVAL<br>
<br></font><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="2"><strong>ARGENTINA</strong></font></a><br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">7-SYNGENTA RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR NEW CORN TECHNOLOGIES IN ARGENTINA<br>
<br></font><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="2"><strong>GLOBAL</strong></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>8-IRRI, BAYER PARTNER TO BOOST GLOBAL RICE PRODUCTIVITY<br>
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<div align="left"><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>1-PHILIPPINES UPGRADES GMO AND PATHOGEN DETECTION LAB</strong><br>by Jenny A. Panopio<br>18-December-2009 SEARCA BIC News Release <br><br>The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry Plant Quarantine Service (BPI-PQS) upgraded its molecular testing facility for plant pathogen and GMO detection in order to enhance efficiency and effectivity of lab analyses and comply with international standards. The improvement of the facility and procurement of necessary equipment were provided through a grant from the DA-Biotechnology Program Unit through the assistance of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA). <br>
<br>The upgraded facility was donated by DA and ISAAA to the BPI during the turn-over ceremony held last December 15. “The Philippines’ biotech regulation continues to evolve and learn from its experiences since the first approval of GM product in 2002. We need to set-up necessary infrastructure for the testing and detection of GMOs and plant pathogen in order to continuously perform our tasks as the main regulatory agency for biotechnology in the country” said BPI Assistant Director Clarito Barron during the turn-over ceremony. To date, the Bureau has now approved 51 events for the direct use and importation of several biotech crops such as alfalfa, corn, soybean and potato.<br>
<br>The enhancement of the molecular laboratory of BPI-PQS will further boost the confidence of the general public on the capability of BPI in implementing DA Administrative Order No.8, the policy that governs the importation and release into the environment of plants and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology. With increased capability, the molecular laboratory can carry out testing of agricultural products suspect of GMOs not approved by AO No.8 and monitor the entry of pests of quarantine importance. The facility also opens opportunities to test samples to be sent by other neighboring countries for GMO and pathogen detection.<br>
<br>For additional information on biotechnology updates in the Philippines, email </font></font><a href="mailto:bic@agri.searca.org" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">bic@agri.searca.org</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> or visit </font><a href="http://www.bic.searca.org/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">www.bic.searca.org</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>2-VIRUS-RESISTANT PAPAYA WILL BOOST INDUSTRY</strong><br>by Jennifer A. Ng / Reporter <br>20-December-2009 </font><a href="http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/19934-virus-resistant-papaya-will-boost-industry.html" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Business Mirror</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">FAST-TRACKING the commercial release of the ring-spot virus-resistant papaya (PRSV-R) will result in economic benefits totaling P9.82 billion for consumers and producers in the country. <br>
<br>This will happen if the PRSV-R variant will be commercially released next year, according to a recent publication released by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (Isaaa). “The larger welfare benefit to consumers is realized due to the decrease in papaya prices in the market brought about by the increase in output,” the publication read.<br>
<br>ISAAA estimated that if the PRSV-R is released next year, the economic benefit to consumers is estimated at P5.6 billion while the benefit to producers is valued at P4.2 billion. <br><br>A delay of five years, however, could significantly cut the estimated net benefit to around P5.1 billion. <br>
<br>“Investing more in the development and regulatory activities that facilitate the early commercialization of PRSV-resistant papaya technology will result in substantial payoffs to farmers and consumers,” the publication said. <br>
<br>The PRSV-resistant papaya technology is estimated to take 12-14 years before it can be commercially released. The discovery and development stages, which include cloning and transformation and further breeding and initial candidate event selection, respectively, have already taken place from 2000 to 2006. <br>
<br>Isaaa noted that further product testing and regulatory compliance is estimated to take another six years. The total development and regulatory costs will amount to at least P29.29 million or an average of P2.66 million per year. <br>
<br>The development cost comprises 44.4 percent of the total cost and regulatory compliance cost, 55.6 percent. The major cost items were personnel services, supplies, and repair and maintenance at the development stage and confined and multilocation field trials at the regulatory phase. <br>
<br>Isaaa noted that the costs of the tests to comply with the regulations contribute substantially to total costs.<br><br>The papaya-ring spot virus was first detected in the Philippines in 1982 in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions, causing substantial damage to papaya orchards. <br>
<br>With an occurrence of 60 percent to 100 percent, Isaaa noted that PRSV almost wiped out the papaya industry in Southern Tagalog, a major papaya-growing region in the country. <br><br>The virus is widespread in Luzon, some parts of the Visayas and?may spread in Mindanao where papayas are grown for export by multinational companies.<br>
<br>The absence of a variety totally resistant to PRSV prompted researchers at the Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines Los Baños, to develop PRSV-resistant papaya through genetic engineering. <br><br>
The Philippine government has supported the papaya genetic-engineering project starting in 1998 through the Department of Science and Technology, and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development. <br>
<br>Additional funding support was provided by Isaaa and USAID through the Agricultural Biotechnology Project II.<br><br>In terms of area planted in 2000, Isaaa papaya ranks sixth in the Philippines among fruit crops. The country contributes a little over 1 percent of global papaya production, with Brazil and Mexico accounting for 30 percent. <br>
<br>Average yield of papaya in the Philippines is about 14 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha) on small farms and 70 to 90 MT/ha from plantations and commercial farms.<br><br>One of the goals of the Isaaa publication was to evaluate the potential benefits of the product to “ensure that investments are focused only in products with the greatest potential to help resource-poor farmers and consumers in partner countries.”<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>3-GM RICE APPROVAL IN CHINA MAY LEAD TO RP PROPAGATION</strong><br>By Melody M. Aguiba<br>19-December-2009 </font><a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/234716/gm-rice-approval-china-may-lead-rp-propagation" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Manila Bulletin</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">The approval of the genetically modified (GM) rice in China may lead to the same propagation of GM rice in the Philippines even as local hybrid rice firms may also later engage this high-yielding rice technology here.<br>
<br>International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) Global Coordinator Randy A. Hautea said the approval of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rice in China augurs well for the development of GM rice in the Philippines.<br>
<br>He said though that another two years of field trial on a specific rice variety will have to be conducted on China’s Bt rice even after the approval of the GM rice in November this year.<br><br>The approval of the GM stem borer-resistant rice in China has the potential to raise $4 billion in revenue yearly from an average yield increase of eight percent and an 80 percent decrease in insecticide use.<br>
<br>“Rice is the most important crop in the world. The approval of Bt rice in China may likely help encourage our own biotech research,” said Hautea.<br><br>Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) officials said local hybrid rice companies may actually bring in the Bt rice technology in the country.<br>
<br>But while SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC) has brought in Chinese technology in local hybrid rice, SLAC Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong said the company is not likely to go into GM rice in the near term since there is still so much room for the hybrid rice technology in the country yet.<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>4-BPI OPENS P3.1-M FACILITY TO TEST GMOS, ENSURE SAFETY</strong><br>by Melody M. Aguiba<br>18-December-2009 </font><a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/234612/bpi-opens-p31m-facility-test-gmos-ensure-safety" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Manila Bulletin</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
<br>The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) opened on Tuesday a P3.1-million facility that will test the entry of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and secure food safety and ensure that local crops are not contaminated by illegal imports.<br>
<br>The testing facility for plant pathogen and GMO detection will enable the Philippines to keep up with its neighboring countries in GMO detection capability even as liberalized trade has been opening up the local market to more potential contaminants.<br>
<br>“It will enable us to test unapproved transformation events (GMOs). We have to be more careful in allowing the entry (of imported commodities) specially now with the approval of Bt rice in China,” said BPI Plant Quarantine Officer-in-Charge Merle B. Palacpac during the launching of the laboratory in Los Baños, Laguna.<br>
<br>Costing only P2 million under an initial budget proposal, the facility obtained a bigger budget from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Biotech Program Implementing Unit (PIU) in an aim to upgrade the earlier two-room laboratory into a five-room laboratory. This will make local GMO detection technology closer to other South East Asian countries technologies.<br>
<br>The facility further needs to acquire a P5 million real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) device which is several times more powerful than regular PCR, according to Dr. Antonio Laurena of the Institute of Plant Breeding.<br>
<br>The real time PCR machine is capable showing result of the presence of a GMO from a sample in just 15 minutes while the regular PCR will take four hours to produce the results, Laurena said. The real time PCR has more powerful detection capability, easily identifying a single GMO seed in 2000 seeds. The regular PCR device has limited detection capability, being able to detect one GMO seed in say only 100 seeds.<br>
<br>Palacpac said the project involves a highly-necessary personnel training in laboratory activities such as sample preparation, genomic DNA isolation, use of PCR, electrophoresis, staining and visualization of DNA. The program is also supported by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA).<br>
<br>At present, detection kits are mostly only commercially available for approved GMOs, while government does not have extensive capability to test for unapproved GMOs that may be illegally dumped into the local market.<br>
<br>Since the need for biotechnology techniques in the country is increasing, Palacpac said it looks apparent that the government should up a separate agency for biotechnology compared to the present setup where all related biotechnology activities (whether involving plant or animals) are still all under DA.<br>
<br>While budget allocation for these critical facilities is so limited, BPI Asst. Sec. Clarito Baron said DA is introducing a reorganization where DA-Biotech will have a more fixed, and hopefully an increased, budget.<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>CHINA<br>5-SYNGENTA EXPANDS BIOTECH R&D CAPABILITY IN CHINA<br>
</strong>21-December-2009 </font></font><a href="http://www.syngenta-us.com/news_releases/news.aspx?id=113642" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Syngenta Press Release</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">• Permanent facilities in China, to be completed in 2011, will expand Syngenta’s existing biotech center in Beijing, to accelerate scientific discoveries and biotech innovation<br>
• Estimated total investment of $100 million USD is committed in the initial five years<br><br>Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, December 21, 2009 — Last week, Syngenta held a ground-breaking ceremony for the permanent site of Syngenta Biotechnology (China) Co., Ltd. (SBC). SBC, the first foreign-invested biotech research institution in China, officially started operations in 2008 at a temporary location in the Zhongguancun Life Science Park in Beijing. Syngenta has grown the facility to over 70 employees and has committed an estimated total investment of over $100 million USD in the initial five years.<br>
<br>SBC is one of two global research facilities for Syngenta, both of which are supported by a number of additional research and development sites. SBC specializes in early research of agronomic traits for key crops such as corn and soybean and focuses on yield improvement, water optimization, disease control and biomass conversion for biofuels. <br>
<br>“This is an important milestone for biotechnology at Syngenta” said Michiel van Lookeren Campagne, head Biotechnology Research and Development, and president of Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc. “The capability expansion in China, combined with that of our U.S. biotechnology facility, will enable us to continue providing new solutions that increase crop yield and productivity, and offer additional choices for growers.”<br>
<br>A leader in biotechnology research and development, Syngenta recently announced that Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., the U.S. facility located in Research Triangle Park, N.C., leased 100,000 additional square feet of space and signed an agreement to purchase 50 acres in RTP for potential future expansion. In October, Syngenta was named as one of the Top 20 Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Employers by Science magazine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).<br>
<br>Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through <br>world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to <a href="http://www.syngenta.com">www.syngenta.com</a>.<br>
<br>###<br></font><em><br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">Media contacts:<br><br>Jane Bachmann<br>Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc. <br>919-541-8538 or <a href="mailto:jane.bachmann@syngenta.com">jane.bachmann@syngenta.com</a><br>
<br>Casey Novak<br>Gibbs & Soell, Inc. Public Relations <br>919-870-5718 or <a href="mailto:cnovak@gibbs-soell.com">cnovak@gibbs-soell.com</a><br><br>Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements<br><br>This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore.</font></em><br>
<br><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br></font></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>PAKISTAN<br>
6-Bt COTTON VARIETIES AWAIT APPROVAL<br></strong>by Aftab Maken <br>19-December-2009 </font></font><a href="http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=214077" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">The News International</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">Punjab Seed Council to take decision in Feb along with deciding on endorsing Chinese and Monsanto Bt cotton<br><br>ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Seed Council is all set to approve locally developed Bt cotton varieties along with two other options of having Chinese and Monsanto technologies for boosting cotton production to meet local requirements, The News has learnt.<br>
<br>Ten Bt cotton varieties that include CEMB-I & II, Bt-121, FH-113, MG-6, IRFH-901, IR 1524, Star-008, 802 and 703 will be put before the Punjab Seed Council, which is likely to meet in the first week of February, for its approval, an official privy to the development told this correspondent.<br>
<br>“Yes, the varieties which would be placed before the council have the characteristics of Bt gene,” an authority on GMO crops told this correspondent from Lahore, adding “the expression level for effective resistance against pest is minimal.”<br>
<br>“These seed companies don’t even have qualified scientists for developing GMO seeds but they are presenting their seeds for approval by the council,” he alleged.<br><br>There is no officially approved Bt cotton variety in the country and about 80 per cent of Bt cotton cultivation is based on un-approved varieties in the main cotton-growing areas of Punjab.<br>
<br>The Ministry for Food and Agriculture (MINFA) and Monsanto (USA) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) this May for using collective expertise to expand cotton production in Pakistan through the introduction of Monsanto’s insect-protection technology Bollgard-II.<br>
<br>This LOI defines in general the basis for the parties to extend cooperation to advance transgenic technology in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. Under the LOI, they will pursue collaborative efforts to introduce genetically modified cotton varieties in Pakistan.<br>
<br>However, the LOI has been lying with the law ministry for vetting since May and a powerful lobby backed by a parliamentarian and former federal minister from southern Punjab is blocking the US company’s move to introduce the technology, an official of the food ministry told this correspondent requesting not to be named.<br>
<br>Chairman PARC Dr Zafar Altaf has brought nearly one ton of Bt seed from China when he visited China last year. <br><br>Similarly, the Government of Punjab also signed an agreement with Chinese for bringing Chinese Bt technology.<br>
<br>With this local approval of Bt variety and Chinese introduction of Bt, an official of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture told The News that it would definitely help not only to enhance the cotton production but also to un-controllable CLCV menace.<br>
<br>However, the negotiations between the ministry of food & agriculture and Monsanto for bringing Bollgard-II technology will have lasting effect on cotton production, he added.<br><br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br>
</font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>ARGENTINA<br>7-SYNGENTA RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR NEW CORN TECHNOLOGIES IN ARGENTINA<br></strong>22-December-2009 </font></font><a href="http://www.syngenta.com/en/media/mediareleases/en_091222.html" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Syngenta Press Release</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">Basel, Switzerland, December 22, 2009<br><br>• Stacked trait approval broadens offer to Argentine growers <br><br>• Reinforces Syngenta corn offer in Argentina <br><br>
Syngenta announced today that it has received cultivation approval for its genetically modified corn trait Bt11xGA21 from the Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. Bt11xGA21 is a double-stacked corn trait combining insect resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single product. The product will be available to Argentine growers for the 2010/2011 season.<br>
<br>Davor Pisk, Chief Operating Officer Syngenta Seeds, said: “We are pleased to receive this approval, which underlines the ongoing support for modern agricultural technology in Argentina. Syngenta already has a strong position in corn in Argentina and this approval will further strengthen our offer in the country, while bringing growers higher value and more convenience.”<br>
<br>Bt11xGA21 stacked corn is approved for cultivation in the United States, Canada and since November in Brazil.<br><br>Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to <a href="http://www.syngenta.com">www.syngenta.com</a> or <a href="http://www.growmorefromless.com">www.growmorefromless.com</a>.<br>
<br></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><em>Syngenta Analyst / Investor Enquiries:<br><br>Jennifer Gough Switzerland +41 61 323 5059<br><br>USA +1 202 737 6521<br><br>John Hudson Switzerland +41 61 323 6793<br>
<br>USA +1 202 737 6520<br><br><br>Syngenta Media Enquiries:<br><br>Médard Schoenmaeckers Switzerland +41 61 323 2323<br><br><br>Syngenta Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements<br><br>This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore.<br>
</em><br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br></font></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>GLOBAL<br>8-IRRI, BAYER PARTNER TO BOOST GLOBAL RICE PRODUCTIVITY<br>
</strong>by Jennifer Ng / Reporter<br>15-December-2009 </font></font><a href="http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/19762-irri-bayer-partner-to-boost-global-rice-productivity.html" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Business Mirror</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
<br>LOS Baños, Laguna—based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Bayer CropScience are collaborating on a project aimed at strengthening rice productivity. <br><br>IRRI and Bayer have signed an agreement to establish a Scientific Know-how and Exchange Program (Skep). Bayer said in a statement that the collaboration aims to improve the use of rice-genetic diversity for crop improvement and disease management, reduction of greenhouse -gas emissions and building the capacity of young rice scientists. <br>
<br>The agreement will allow IRRI and Bayer to extend their scientific collaboration to benefit rice farmers in Asia and elsewhere. <br><br>“Rice is the most important food crop on our planet, and by our research for high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties, we intend to make a contribution to securing the world’s food supply in the 21st century. Our collaboration with IRRI will contribute to strengthen and build the future research capacities needed,” said Prof. Friedrich Berschauer, chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer CropScience.<br>
<br>The Skep agreement includes four joint activities. First, Bayer CropScience will join a wide international effort that seeks to capture the genetic diversity of rice by establishing a new in-depth dataset of rice-genome information for more than 2,000 different cultivated and wild-rice species.<br>
<br>Second, both parties will develop tools to rapidly and reliably detect the presence on rice seeds of bacterial blight, a major disease in many Asian rice-growing countries. Current tests are inadequate and sometimes produce false positive results. The new toolkit will be made widely available. <br>
<br>Furthermore, the collaboration includes the measurement of greenhouse-gas emissions in rice fields following a switch from transplanted rice to direct-seeded and water-saving irrigation. <br><br>The fourth element of the agreement is the support a full PhD scholarship, provided by Bayer CropScience, for a promising young rice scientist.<br>
<br>In April 2008 Bayer CropScience joined the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC), an IRRI-led partnership program between the public and private sectors to develop and share hybrid-rice technologies.<br><br>“This agreement will build on IRRI’s capacity to deliver rice-science solutions that help rice farmers increase their yields in an environmentally sustainable way and, in so doing, help lift farmers and consumers out of poverty,” said Dr. Achim Dobermann, IRRI deputy director general for research. <br>
<br>“IRRI brings its strengths in conserving the world’s largest collection of rice, breeding new varieties of rice, and expertise on all aspects of environmentally sustainable rice production to the partnership. We are looking forward to combining our strengths with those of Bayer CropScience to increase the scope and impact of rice research,” he said.<br>
<br>The agreement between Bayer CropScience and IRRI will ensure IRRI can continue to widely deliver its research, including the seed of new rice varieties, to its many partners. There are no allowances for exclusive access to IRRI’s research or research outcomes.<br>
<br>Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about €6.4 billion in 2008, is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, nonagricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology.<br>
<br>The company offers a range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for nonagricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global work force of more than 18,000, and is represented in more than 120 countries.<br>
<br>Established in the Philippines in 1960, IRRI is the oldest and largest international agricultural research institute in Asia. It is an autonomous, nonprofit rice research and training organization with about 1,300 staff and offices in 15 major rice-growing countries. <br>
<br>IRRI’s mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. IRRI works closely with national agricultural research and extension systems, as well as farming communities and a range of international, regional and local organizations. <br>
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