Plant Introduction and Rice Improvement for South Asia

Abstract

Rice is the single most important food crop and 90
percent of it is grown and consumed in Asia. During
1960s there were widespread concerns about the
impending food crisis in Asia as rice yields were stagnant
and population growth rates were accelerating.
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was
established in 1960 to apply science to problems of
rice production. Germplasm conservation, evaluation and
utilization received top priority from the beginning of
the institute's research programmes.