- Annex I: Terms of Reference of FAO Organizing Committee
for the International Year of Rice – 2004

- Annex II: International Year of Rice 2004 :
Proposed Members of the FAO Organizing Committee

- Annex III: International Year of Rice - 2004: the Proposed Road Map

- Annex 1: Tentative List of Topics, Speakers and Responsible Persons for Paper Preparation (20th Session of the IRC, Bangkok, Thailand, 23-26 July 2002)

1. Remarks from the Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department
2. Background information on the IYR - 2004
3. Discussion on the past experience of the organization of the International Year of Mountains -2002
4. Discussion on the proposed road map for IYR - 2004
5. Discussion on the draft terms of reference (TOR) for the FAO Organizing Committee for IYR - 2004
6. Other matters

1. Remarks of the Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department

• Production and marketing: low prices of rice for urban poor may lower the incomes of rice farmers.
• Linkage between rice production and poverty.
• Nutritional status of the population that depends on rice for its staple sustenance, and how to improve their nutritional intake.
• New rice technologies (e.g. biotechnology) and biodiversity.
• Improving knowledge on the diversity of rice genetic resources.
• Good rice crop management practices for environmental conservation, especially reducing the effect on global warming.

• Learn from the International Year of the Mountain experience in order to devise guidelines and approaches to assist national governments on local issues of sustainable rice production.
• Establish a detailed plan of activities regarding international, regional and national events related to IYR.
• Identify a broad partnership, which includes decision makers in Member-Countries, UN systems, and CG-centres, and representatives from NGOS, the private sector and other civil bodies.
• Reach out to a wide audience when covering awareness-raising activities related to sustainable rice production; this audience spans from school children to policy makers, farmer leaders to private and religious leaders, and includes rice producers, consumers and traders.
• To inform and involve FAO regional and country offices in the preparation and organization of the IYR.

2. Background Information of IYR - 2004

• To focus world attention on the role that rice could play in providing food security and poverty alleviation.
• To heighten awareness of all stakeholders on the interrelationship between rice, peace and livelihoods.
• To harmonize global, regional and national efforts to address the pertinent issues and challenges in sustainable rice production.

3. Experience in the Organization of the International Year of Mountains-2002

a. Goal:

b. Objectives:

• To ensure present and future well-being of mountain communities.
• To increase awareness of and knowledge about mountain ecosystems and their overriding importance in providing strategic services and products.
• To promote and defend cultural heritage of mountain communities/societies.
• To focus on the frequent conflicts in mountain areas and to promote peace making in those regions.

c. FAO responsibilities and actions:

• Established IYM Co-ordination Unit and Trust Fund
• Convened IDWG - Mountains at FAO
• Implemented a global communications plan
• Supported establishment of national committees, provided financial resources and equipped them for action
• Guided and co-ordinated global events, processes and action
• Helped to develop a global research agenda
• Provided technical, communications and administrative support to global regional and national initiatives around
• Responded to inquiries, responding to media requests
• Developed a website and updating it
• Distributed toolkits for national committees, distributing promotional kits, press kit, outreach, education kit, network TV project,
• Prepared public service announcements, major global public awareness event
• Raised internal awareness building, joint projects with FAO divisions

d. Results

• Series of publications, both electronic and hard copies, public announcement, TV series, meetings and workshops in 2002 and before to raise the awareness of stake-holders.
• 77 countries were supported in establishment of national committee on IYM.
• Partnerships were strengthened.

e. Beyond 2002 and Next Steps

• Maintain flow of information to countries and partners
• Assess needs of countries and partners
• Build and test programmes and services
• Develop operating plan for years 2 and 3
• Survey of national committees
• Communications plan for post-2003
• Needs assessments of countries and partnerships
• Clarify concept of secretariat
• Report to the UN General Assembly and partners

4. Discussion on the Proposed Road Map of IYR - 2004

• Drafting of Concepts and Guidelines for IYR: Jan. 2003.
• Complete the membership of the FAO Organizing Committee of IYR (FAO Committee): Jan. 2003; SDRE was proposed to be added as member of this Committee.
• First Meeting of FAO Committee: Jan. 2003 to finalize the Road Map or Work Plan of IYR, to prepare TORs for the Informal International Working Group for IYR, and to set the date for the Informal International Planning and Coordination Meeting for the IYR.
• Informal International Planning and Coordination Meeting for the IYR: March 2003; the international organizations: IPGRI, IFAD, ICLARM, and CIRAD were proposed to be invited; the private sector to be separated from NGOs in the list of invitees; and balanced regional representation to be considered in the list of countries to be invited.
• Developing the Logo for IYR: Jan.-Feb. 2003; it was proposed that the Logo of IYR be used for an FAO Medal.
• Developing the Website for the IYR: Feb. 2003.
• Preparation of Poster and Publication of Concept and Guidelines: March-June 2003
• Special event during COAG Meeting: March-Apr. 2003.
• Preparation of Public Announcement, TV spots and Documents: commence as soon as possible.
• Special event in connection with and prior to the DG’s speech at UNGA: Sep-Oct 2003
• Preparation of DG’s speech at UNGA: add the theme of rice and livelihood. It was noted that RAP prepared a document on Livelihood in 2002.
• Next Meeting of IRC-SC: move forward to Dec. 2003 instead of Jan. 2004.
• FAO Regional Conferences in 2004: AG Department to contact and advise the Regional Representatives on the IYR and request that IYR be included on the agendas of the Regional Conferences. This could be in the form of presenting pre-session documents (for information) as well as making use of the WAICENT stands during the Conferences.
• World Water Forum 3 in Kyoto March 2003: The focus is on water management for all sectors (agriculture, domestic, industrial, environment etc.). AGLW is very involved in the preparation of the forum. Thousands of experts and decision makers are expected. Two ministerial conferences have been organised; one by AGLW. Given that the meeting will be held in Japan, one of the major focuses of the agricultural sector will be on rice production, rice societies, rice eco-systems, and multiples uses of water in rice based system, etc. This will be an opportunity to approach donors and institutes to join and support the IYR4.
• Workshop on "Effective Rice Water Management" organised in Moscow Summer 2004 by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), New Delhi. AGLW is one of the main conveners of the workshop and will soon orchestrate a call for papers. AGLW will also ensure the link between the ICID workshop and the organization of the International Year of Fresh Water; it is proposed that a side event on IYR be presented at this meeting.
• IPSWAR is a network recently created by IRRI, Cornell U. and others; it concentrates on water management savings strategies and includes a focus on Intensive Rice Systems (SRI).
• Theme of World Food Day in 2003 or 2004: It was proposed that Senior Management of the AG Department request FAO Management that the IYR be the theme of World Food Day.
• Themes and activities of IYR: “Rice and Animal Production,” “Rice and Cultural Heritage,” and “Post-harvest Technologies and Transformation of Rice Biomass,” were proposed to be added to the themes of IYR.
• Date of the International Meeting/Expert Consultation: ESCB reported that the Inter-Governmental Group will organize a Meeting on Rice in early 2004 (to be confirmed with Ms. Calpe, ESCB). It is proposed that consultation be undertaken among FAO technical units and CG centres to determine the date for the International Meeting/Expert Consultation in 2004.
• Regional Workshops: It was proposed that AG-Regional Groups organize Regional Workshops and Expert Consultations on Rice to commemorate the IYR.
• Activities to follow up the IYR: It was proposed that IYR activities go beyond 2004. FAO should assist National Committees on IYR to prepare projects for sustainable rice production. FAO should also prepare to report in 2005 to UNGA and Member-Countries on the activities and results of IYR.
• Global Contest on IYR: It was proposed that an award be given to the best-performing National Programmes and Actions on IYR.

5. Memberships of FAO Organizing Committee for IYR:

6. Other Matters:

a. Funding Support to IYR activities:

• Resources from Regular Programme in biennium 2004-05 be provided to IYR
• Resources generated by Telefood campaigns in 2003-04 be used to provide funding support for National Actions on IYR
• Activities on Rice under the Special Programme for Food Security be strengthened

b. Contributions from Other Technical Units:

1. Finalize the Work Plan or Road Map for IYR – 2004.

2. Periodically review the progress and constraints of the preparation for the organization of the IYR and provide recommendations for improvement.

3. Contribute to the preparation of the Concept Document for the IYR – 2004.

4. Participate in the identification/preparation of the themes, guidelines and mechanisms for a Global Contest on Rice.

5. Contribute to the identification of the members of the Panel of Judges for the Global Contest on Rice.

6. Participate in the identification of the theme and programme for the International Symposium on IYR to be held in 2004.

7. Develop a detailed communication plan.

8. Promote publicity and media communication on the International Year of Rice;

9. Report to the Steering Committee of the International Rice Commission

• M. Solh - Chairperson
• E.A. Kueneman (Production)
• D.V. Tran - Secretary

• AGLW: D. Renault (Water Management)
• AGST: D. Mejía (Post Harvest)

• SDAR: E. Crowley (Rural Poverty Alleviation)
• SDRR: I. H. Mwandemere (Agricultural Research)

• ESCB: C. Calpe (Rice Trade)
• ESNA: P. Shetty (Nutrition)

• FIRI: M. Halwart (Fisheries)

• GIIM: J. Riddle
• GIL

• TCDS: L. Sonn
• TCI

1. Resolution of the International Year of Rice – 2004.
2. Review the preparation of the 20th Session of the IRC to be held in Bangkok from 23 to 25 July 2002.
3. Discuss the Executive Secretary's Report addressed to the Commission's Member Countries.
4. Approve the proposed contents of the IRC Newsletter, Vol 51 (2002).
5. Other matters.

1. Resolution of the International Year of Rice - 2004

2. Review the preparation of the 20th Session of the IRC to be held in Bangkok from 23 to 25 July 2002

• Keynote Address: Issues and Challenges in Rice Technological Development for Sustainable Food Security, to be presented by the Director AGP; the responsible unit is AGPC.
• Biotechnology for Rice Breeding: Progress, and Impact, to be presented by Dr. G. Khush; the responsible unit is AGPC.
• Nutritional contribution of rice, and impact of biotechnology and biodiversity, in rice-consuming countries; the responsible unit is ESNA.
• IPR: Current Status and Effects on International Exchange of Scientific Information and Germplasm; the responsible unit is AGD/Genetic Resources.
• An Overview of Rice Post-Harvest Technology: Use of Small Metallic Silos for Minimizing Losses; the responsible unit is AGSI.
• Global Rice-Fish Systems, M. Halwart; the responsible unit is FIRI.

• Innovations in Economising Water Use in Rice Production, M. Smith; the responsible unit is AGLW.
• Nutrient Management in the Rice-Based Cropping Systems in Asia, R. Roy; the responsible unit is AGLL.
• The Need for Improved Weed Management in Rice, R. Labrada; the responsible unit is AGPP
• New Rice Technologies and Challenges for Food Security in Africa, WARDA; the responsible unit is WARDA.
• New Rice Technologies and Challenges for Food Security in Asia and the Pacific, IRRI; the responsible unit is IRRI.
• Strategy for Sustainable Rice Production in the Medium Term in Sub-Saharan Africa, I. Kebe; the responsible unit is RAF.
• Strategy for Sustainable Rice Production in the Medium Term in Asia and the Pacific Region, M. Papademetriou; the responsible unit is RAP.
• Strategy for Sustainable Rice Production in the MediumTerm in Latin America and the Caribbean, J. Izquierdo; the responsible unit is RLC.

• The Second Generation of Hybrid Rice, Yuan LongPing, AGPC (Tran).
• Golden Rice: Potential for Improving Livelihood of Rice-Consuming Populations, I. Potrykus AGPC (Le).
• Progress and Issues in the Development and Use of Hybrid Rice, S.S. Virmani, AGPC (Tran).
• The Development and Use of Integrated Crop Management in Rice Production, W. Clampett, AGPC (Nguyen).
• Global Perspectives on Rice Trade in the Medium Term, ESCB (Calpe).
• Global Integrated Pest Management, AGPP (Kenmore).
• Status of the Genetic Base of Current Rice Varieties, AGPS (Ghosh).

Recommendations: The Meeting recommended the following:

• Relevant technical units to submit papers with an abstract. The total number of words for each paper is 6,000, including appropriate recommendations for member countries in the next 4-5 years or longer-terms.
• The abstracts should be submitted by 30 March 2002 for translation into the three official languages of the Commission.
• Technical units to assure the participation of the speakers/presenters at the 20th Session.
• ESCB to decide on the topic and the paper’s contents and inform the Secretariat of the Commission as early as possible, no later than 30 March 2002.
• Technical units to provide comments on the IPR paper and to extend assistance to AGD-Genetic Resources, as requested.
• Secretariat of the IRC to rearrange the timetable of the Session to include the paper from SDRE.
• SDRE to submit the title and abstract of the paper on/or before 15 March.

3. Discuss the Executive Secretary's Report addressed to the Commission's Member Countries

Recommendations: The Meeting recommended the following:

• Copy of the last report of the Executive Secretary to be made available electronically to concerned technical units.
• Technical units, including AGPC, AGPS, AGPP, AGLW, AGLL, AGSI, SDRE, ESCB ESNA, FIRI and AGE, to contribute their inputs by 15 March for the Executive Secretary to prepare the Report.

4. Approval of the proposed contents of the IRC Newsletter, Vol 51 (2002)

Recommendations: The Meeting approved the proposed contents.

5. Other Matters

Recommendations: Improved methods should be identified and conveyed to farmers with regard to the proper drying of rice to 14% moisture content or below for use with the silos.

Recommendations: The Meeting recommended that concerned FAO offices provide support to the participation of the National Coordinators of SPFS in these countries in the Lauching Meeting of the Africa Rice Initiative in order to facilitate the discussions and planning of collaborative activities between ARI (African Rice Initiative) and SPFS.

Note:
* First drafts were received.
** Final drafts

TOP

1. Approval of the publication of the IRC Newsletter, Vol. No. 50, 2001.
2. Report/follow-up to the Expert Consultation on Yield Gap and Productivity Decline in Rice Production, Rome, 5-7 September 2000.
3. Discussion on Provisional Agenda and Programme of the 20th Session of the IRC to be held in 2002.
4. Reports from the IRC Committee’s Members on rice activities and related issues.
5. Other matters.

1. Approval of the Publication of the IRC Newsletters, Vol. 50

2. Report on the Follow-Up Activities to the Expert Consultation

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Expert Consultation

On Yield Gap

Mr Tran reported the findings of the Expert Consultation, which concluded that the yield gap in today’s rice production ranges from 10 to 60%, depending on the rice ecologies in the regions where rice is produced. The Expert Consultation recommended the following major actions for FAO and national institutions:

• Raise awareness of yield gap, including the factors that cause the yield gap in rice production;
• Promote collaboration among FAO and CG Centres (IRRI, WARDA, CIAT/FLAR) to narrow the yield gap;
• Disseminate successful management options, such as the Whole Crop Management or RICECHECK;
• Make available inputs, credit and other necessary incentives to farmers domestically.

Mr. Tran illustrated a graph with the components causing rice yield gap:

1. Yield gap 0 (gap between research yield and theoretical maximum yield) could be narrowed with the development of new plant types;
2. Yield gap II (gap between research yield and highest farm yield) is difficult to narrow; however, Egypt, Greece, and the U.S.A. succeeded in narrowing this yield gap;
3. Yield gap I (gap between highest farm yield and actual farm yield) can be narrowed by strengthening the extension and institutional support.

On Yield Decline

Mr. Tran reported that the Expert Consultation identified 3 cases of yield decline:

• Africa: Yield decline in irrigated rice systems, owing to the deterioration of infrastructures and management problems;
• Asia: Yield decline in irrigated rice systems, owing to the degradation of the natural resource base, was observed only in isolated locations;
• Upland rice: Yield decline in continuous upland production systems.

The Expert Consultation further identified that the following factors may be responsible for yield decline in Asia:

• Researchers and farmers are not aware of the long-term negative effects of unbalanced fertilizer application;
• Cropping systems are too intensive;
• Continued use of the same varieties for extended periods;
• Declining organic matter content in soils;
• Salinization and alkalisation of soils;
• Weeds develop resistance to herbicides.

Follow-up Activities

Meeting of the Agronomy Group of the MED-Rice Network, 13-15 September 2000 in Erdine, Turkey

The Meeting focused on yield gap in rice production in the Mediterranean climate areas and the recommendations of the Expert Consultation were reviewed. The study on yield stagnation in rice production in Camargue, France, was discussed during the Meeting. The results of the study showed that farmers in Camargue need new crop management options, especially with regard to attaining the correct plant population, date of crop establishment and weed management. The MED-Rice Network established a homepage and an electronic discussion group. It is also preparing a project on the New Crop Management Approach for submission to the European Community for funding.

Workshop on Participatory Evaluation, Adoption and Transfer of Technology (PEAT), 2-4 April 2001, Saint Louis, Senegal

WARDA requested FAO to support its activities, which are aimed at narrowing the irrigated rice yield gap in West Africa. It requested support for the organization of the PEAT Workshop, as part of the implementation of the MOU signed by FAO and WARDA in March 2000. In this direction, the Secretariat of the Commission has supported the participation of the coordinators of the Special Programme for Food Security in Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. Furthermore, the Commission invited an Expert on RICECHECK to present a paper on this subject and to act as a resource person during the workshop. After the workshop, the expert will travel to Bouaké and give a seminar on RICECHECK. He will discuss and review, with WARDA’s scientists, the concept and impacts of RICECHECK in narrowing the yield gap in rice production in Australia.

Rice in Latin America and the Caribbean

A rice congress will be organized by FLAR/CIAT and its Members from 20-23 August 2001 in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to discuss the Integrated Crop Management for narrowing the yield gap in irrigated rice production in the region. The Executive-Director of FLAR has requested FAO to address the issues of rice yield gap and how to close it at the Congress. Also, with the assistance of the Secretariat of the IRC, FLAR/CIAT prepared a project on Rice Integrated Crop Management in the region and submitted it to the Common Funds for Commodity, through ESCB, a Member of the Steering Committee.

Dr. Duwayri informed the Members of the IRC Steering Committee of the on-going collaboration between AGP and ESN, in the area of the nutritional aspects of Rice, to follow-up on the initiative of Dr. Fresco, ADG/AG. He also suggested more collaborative efforts among the technical units of the Steering Committee with regard to the preparation and publication of technical books and documents on rice. He also informed the participants of the Senior Management’s approval to create a P-3 post for a rice-based cropping system specialist in RAP during the 2002-03 biennium.

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3. Discussion on Provisional Agenda and Programme of the 20th Session of the IRC to be held in 2002

• The Secretariat will discuss and finalize the dates and venue of the 20th Session with RAP and the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
• The concerned technical units at HQs need to consult with officers in RAP but the global perspectives, in the preparation of papers, should be ensured during the 20th Session.
• The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture agreed, in principle, to prepare and present a paper on the IPR: Current status and effects on international exchange of scientific information and germplasm.
• AGLL (on nutrient management/Session IV), AGLW (on water management/Session IV), and AGSI (post-harvest/Session IV) will send the titles of their papers to the Secretariat of the Commission by 02 May 2001.
• The Agenda should be modified to include the Contributions in the area of IPM and Weed Management, as proposed by the Representatives from AGPP (Mr. Labrada), Rice-Fish systems, as proposed by the Representative from FIRI (Mr. Halwart), and a paper on the study on wider adoption of hybrid rice cultivation in India and Vietnam from SDRE (Mr. Qamar). AGPP, FIRI and SDRE are requested to provide the Secretariat of the IRC with the titles of their papers.
• The Regional Strategy for sustainable rice production should be for the medium-term. The Regional Offices (RAF, RAP and RLC) should be requested, as soon as possible, to provide support for the preparation of regional strategies for sustainable rice production.
• The Agenda should provide space and time for possible papers on view points of funding institutions and agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, UNDP, Australia, Japan, USA and others on activities towards sustainable rice production.
• The deadline for submission of the papers is 1 February 2002.

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4. Reports from the IRC Committee’s Members on Rice Activities and Related Issues

• World rice prices have fallen to their lowest level since 1987;
• World rice trade has contracted amidst weak import demand;
• Large exportable supplies have exacerbated competition for markets.

• Prepare an inventory/database of all existing compositional data (macro and micronutrients, and biologically active non-nutrients) for rice varieties;
• Review the advances made by research in the improvement of nutrient composition data and nutrient data;
• Provide nutrient impact assessment, integrating rice FAOSTAT data, dietary survey data, and nutrient composition data;
• Review the current situation of national nutrition improvement programmes and identify results, constraints and opportunities for further promotion in major rice-consuming countries;
• Update the information compiled in the book on Rice in Human Nutrition, published by FAO in 1993.

1. Review of Rice and Related Activities in 1999 and PWB 2000-01:
2. Discussion on the IRRI’s Proposal for the Announcement of the International Year of Rice
3. Report on the Preparation of the Expert Consultation on Yield Gap and Productivity Decline
4. Approval of the IRC Newsletter, Issue No. 49 (2000)
5. Other Matters: New Development in Rice Technologies and Others

1. Review of Rice and Related Activities in 1999 and PWB 2000-01:

1.1 The Secretariat of International Rice Commission, AGPC:

• The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between FAO and IRRI for supporting the International Task Force on Hybrid Rice (INTAFOHR);
• The approval of the Director-General for the establishment of a MOU, between FAO and WARDA, for the "Rapid Rice Technology Diffusion in West Africa" (RARIDIWA) under SPFS;
• The organisation of an Expert Consultation on "Bridging the Rice Yield Gap in the Asia-Pacific Region" from 5-7 October 1999 in Bangkok, Thailand, in collaboration with RAPG;
• The preparation and organization of the Expert Consultation will be one of the main activities of the Secretariat of the IRC in the year 2000. Other major activities planned for 2000-01, include the publication of Vol. 49 and 50 of the IRC Newsletter;
• Vol. 2 of the FAO Rice Information, and the support to the 4 inter-regional networks on rice, and related, in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, and the Mediterranean Climate Areas.

1.2 The Rice Development Programme, AGPC:

1.3 The Inter-Governmental Groups, ESCB

1.4 Water Management and Irrigation Systems Group, AGLW

2. Discussion on IRRI’s proposal for annoucement of the International Year of Rice

3. Report on the preparation of the Expert Consultation on Yield Gap and Productivity Decline in Rice Production, Rome, 5-7 September 2000

The participants were informed that the preparation for the Consultation has been going on smoothly. Invitations have been sent to the potential participating-Experts, and the Secretariat of the IRC has received positive responses from Experts from USA, Australia, Italy, Korea Rep, IRRI, and WARDA indicating that they will participate in the Consultation. Modified Guidelines for the case studies on Yield Gaps and Productivity Declines were sent to Experts in Brazil, India, Egypt, Nigeria, and Philippines and positive responses were also received showing the progress of the studies.

4. Approval of the IRC Newsletter, Issue No. 49 (2000)

5. Other Matters: New Developments in Rice Technologies and Others

5.1 Rice Genomics:

5.2 Yellow (or Golden) Rice:

5.3 C4 Rice:

5.4 Super Rice:

5.5 Ricechecks: An Integrated Crop Management Package

5.6 Leaf Colour Chart (LCC):