19TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION, 7-9 SEPTEMBER 1998, CAIRO, EGYPT.
The objective of the 19th IRC Session was aimed at providing a forum to its Member Countries to review and orient strategies for national rice research and development programmes, address problems on rice and related matters, enhance co-operative mechanisms, and build up partnerships, both at regional and international level.
The Commission's 19th Session was successfully convened by FAO in Cairo, Egypt, from 7 to 9 September 1998, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, with the participation of approximately 100 decision makers, senior rice specialists, developers and researchers from national, regional and international institutions and agencies. During the 3-day Session, the delegations actively participated in the deliberation and addressed the following major issues and concerns on rice production in the world:
Yield deceleration of rice (annual growth rate declined from 2.3% in the 1980s to 1% in the 1990s), less land, less water and increased rice import especially in Asia (Indonesia, the Philippines, etc.).
Productivity decline of rice (lower outputs/inputs ratio) in the intensive cropping system (2-3 rice crops per year).
Yield gaps between rice farmers and research stations reach 40-50%.
The environmental impact of the shifting cultivation of upland rice, particularly in Asia and Africa.
The impact of changing from transplanting to direct seeding method especially in Asia, due to the shortage of labour and the availability of herbicides.
More attention to plant biotechnology at the cost of conventional breeding at the IARCs and several NARS.
Effects of the private sector's research on rice and intellectual property rights (IPR) on the exchange of germplasm and scientific information.
Upon conclusion of the Session, 61 recommendations had been made by the Commission for the IRC Member Countries, the regional and international institutions and FAO.