Vietnam ‘should sell rice to Africa’
Vietnam and the International Rice Research Institute hope to boost cooperation in developing genetic resources and choosing technology to improve rice quality, experts have said. The IRRI gene banks, wild-rice introgression population, structured genetic population and breeding lines represent a critical resource for generating the critical traits and climate-smart varieties that Vietnam needs to fulfil its vision, said Matthew Morell, IRRI director-general. He was speaking at a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on rice-production development held in Hanoi on November 4. “IRRI can assist partners in Vietnam to minimise yield gap and decrease overuse of pesticides, fertiliser, water, labour and seeds,” Morell said. He said IRRI studies could help the country reduce loss during rice harvesting, drying and processing and optimise the supply and quality of the product.
