International Rice Commission Homepage FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Crop and Grassland Service Plant Production and Protection Division Agriculture Department FAO

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF RICE FOLLOW-UP

The International Year of Rice (IYR 2004) was a powerful opportunity for the world community to implement global initiatives, including the Millennium Development Goals and the recommendations of the World Food Summit. Continued support from policymakers at national, regional and global levels as well as the donor community is needed in order to translate the achievements of IYR into concrete programmes and projects on sustainable rice development in rural communities for food security and poverty alleviation. The FAO International Rice Commission is ready to assist in the harmonization of efforts toward the development of efficient and sustainable rice-based production systems and the improvement of access to this vital food.

FAO Rice Programme beyond IYR 2004

The implementation of IYR in 2004 has already generated considerable support. The Italian Government provided initial funding support from under the framework of the project GCP/INT/933/ITA "Promoting, Coordinating and Implementing Observance of the International Year of Rice - 2004". The Government of Japan contributed an Associate Professional Officer to assist in the coordination of regional rice activities, conferences and seminars and recently approved the funding support to the dissemination of NERICA and improved rice technologies in Ghana and Sierra Leone. As requested by member countries, the IYR Secretariat developed two Regional Technical Cooperation Projects to help transfer specific technological innovations and promote capacity building for improved rice production in member countries.

Beyond 2004, the FAO Secretariat of the International Rice Commission will strengthen its capacity aiming at assisting member countries in the formulation and implementation of programmes and projects to help transfer specific technological innovations. The FAO Secretariat of the International Rice Commission will also continue to assist in capacity building for sustainable development and increase in rice production for food security and poverty alleviation in member countries. In the immediate future (2005-2006), the International Rice Commission will undertake the following major activities:

  • Publication of a book on "Rice is Life" to further raise the awareness of all stake-holders on the role of rice in food security, livelihood improvement, and sustainable production. The winning photographs in the IYR Global Contest will be used to enhance the message.

  • Preparation and submission of the report of the implementation of IYR 2004 to the UN General Assembly in July 2005 with recommendations on actions to be taken.

  • Organization of a Consultation Workshop on Rice Integrated Crop Management Systems in February 2005 in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam in order to review the progress made and to formulate guidance for effective development and dissemination of rice integrated crop management systems for rice production.

  • Organization of the 21st Session of the Commission in 2006 in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of Peru to provide member countries with an opportunity to review the implementation of IYR, the issues and opportunities of sustainable rice production for reorientation of their national rice development programmes.

  • Providing technical guidance and support to the implementation of 17 projects on rice and rice-based systems in member countries.