Singapore Scientists Get Support in Rice Research for Food Security

The Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) will fund a new rice research programme that will help ensure rice sufficiency of Singapore and the rest of the region. Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL), and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are involved in the programme. They aim to develop new rice varieties with integrated protection against diseases, reduce the requirement for limited resources such as water, and therefore increase sustainable rice production and guarantee long-term food security.

At present, Singapore is entirely dependent on rice imports. Thus it is affected by the fragility of rice supplies and price escalations in international markets. Investments on rice research is vital to help rice farmers have better techniques to grow more rice on less land to ensure and protect future rice supplies in Asia.

Achim Dobermann, Deputy Director General for Research of IRRI, said, "We need to be thinking beyond national borders to help tackle food supply issues…And Singapore is showing real leadership within Asia by doing just that."

The press release is available at http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/pressrel/1108/120811.php.