Previous Page Table of Contents Next Page


Closing remarks

M. Solh
Director, Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO
Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the International Rice Commission

On behalf of the FAO Director-General, Dr Jacques Diouf, I would like to thank all of you for what has been a very successful and productive 2 days. The very good attendance and contributions from a wide range of stakeholders in the presentations and discussions illustrates that rice really is life for people all over the world and from many diverse interest groups.

It is apparent from the presentations and discussions that when we talk about rice we are not talking about one single crop or one commodity, we are talking about people, about a style of life, about cultural heritage, about systems that involve livelihood, agrobiodiversity, the environment, value-added products, important local and global socio-economic as well as trade issues. In the words of the FAO Director-General: "Rice is a symbol of both cultural identity and global unity." We witnessed this at the Conference and I would like to recognize that we are all part of an international alliance to promote rice-based production systems to fight hunger and poverty. Rice is an excellent entry point for mobilization of national and international resources to achieve the Millennium Goals and the recommendations of the World Food Summit: five years later to cut poverty and hunger by 50 percent by 2015. Therefore, investment in the rice-based systems is an investment in the fight against hunger and poverty.

This Conference has walked us through the global trade trends, global trade complexities and their implications on the global market and production. We have also walked through advances in science and technology that show great potential and, certainly, some limitations for addressing challenges in rice systems. The potential is, however, far greater and it is up to us as policy-makers, traders, technicians, civil societies and farmers to fully exploit that potential. In this year, although we may be thinking globally, we need to plan and act locally to make a difference and have an impact.

For most of us here, rice is one option of many. For a large portion of the world population, however, it is the only option. This fact presents challenges to all of us. We need to enhance the nutritional value of rice through science and technology. We need to enhance the nutritional value of the rice diet by intensifying and diversifying the rice production system - possibly through crop rotations and intercropping a wide variety of goods such as livestock, ducks, fish, frogs, fruits and vegetables. Post-harvest handling and value-added products are other avenues to increase the farming community's income. If we can meet the various challenges presented in the different regions of the world as presented this afternoon, we will help all stakeholders, particularly resource-poor farmers, their families and their communities. The move from subsistence rice monoculture to more diverse commercialized systems is a step in the right direction.

We already have the technology options, thanks to the NARS (National Agricultural Research Systems), CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) centres - especially IRRI (International Rice Research Institute), WARDA (The Africa Rice Center) and CIAT (International Centre for Tropical Agriculture) - and other stakeholders, particularly the private sector. A major challenge for us is: How can we close the gap between actual and potential yield in the many countries that depend on rice as their major staple and source of livelihood?

In order to bridge that gap, we need greater investments in science and technology - including modern biotechnology - but we also need investments in effective technology transfer programme approaches such as the Australian "RiceCheck" and Farmer Field Schools linked to extension. We need to intensify our investment in technology transfer projects, at both national and subregional level.

We will all fail if we do not seize the opportunity provided by the International Year of Rice 2004 to develop a framework that enhances the sustainable development of the rice-based systems to enhance food security and increase the income of rice farmers. By capitalizing on the momentum of this year, we can initiate medium-term and long-term actions needed to overcome poverty in major rice-producing countries in which 50 percent of the world's 840 million poor and hungry people reside. We call on governments and the donor community to provide special attention this year to support rice and rice-related prospects.

FAO is committed to working as an active member of the international alliance involving member countries, the CGIAR centres (particularly IRRI, WARDA and CIAT), non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to make the impact of the International Year of Rice a success that goes beyond 2004.

Beyond 2004, the International Rice Commission, hosted by FAO on behalf of its Member Governments, will continue to play an important role as a vehicle to provide the appropriate forum for the international alliances formed this year. We need to link research with development in the interest of rice-based production systems. FAO looks forward to working with all of you, not just throughout the International Year of Rice in 2004, but as far ahead as the battle against hunger and poverty takes us. In closing the Conference, I would like to thank the Informal International Working Group, the IYR Secretariat and the FAO Agriculture and Economic and Social Departments for organizing such an important and timely event.

Thank you all for your invaluable contribution towards making this Conference a success. I hereby declare, on behalf of FAO, the International Rice Conference closed.


Previous Page Top of Page Next Page