IRRI Receives US $500,000 Donation to Boost Research

The Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) announced that it has received a donation of materials worth US $500,000 from 5 PRIME, a Germany-based company that produces technologies for molecular biology applications. The materials, which include reagents for DNA isolation, amplification, and molecular analysis, would "strengthen IRRI's research capabilities for enabling more efficient and cheaper rice production", the institute said in a statement.

“In 2008, rice prices have risen dramatically, hurting poor consumers who are dependent on affordable rice for their food security,” said Achim Dobermann, IRRI’s deputy director general for research. “This situation underscores the need to intensify research efforts to develop improved, more efficient rice production. We are very grateful that 5 PRIME has supported us by providing high-quality tools and reagents.”

For more information contact Adam Barclay (a.barclay@cgiar.org) or visit http://www.irri.org.