Summit to address crop losses due to floods

MANILA, Philippines - Crop scientists from 29 countries are meeting today at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños Laguna to trade findings on the development of flood-resistant crops.

More than 100 scientists will participate in the 11th conference of the International Society for Plant Anaerobiosis ( (ISPA) which runs today until Oct. 11 to share research on how crops survive in floods.

Vast-rice growing regions in India, Bangladesh and even the Philippines are submerged during the rainy season, causing production losses.

Over the years, the IRRI has been producing flood resistant varieties that can be used in such conditions.

Among the flood-resistant varieties it has developed is the Submarino rice – a variety that can survive for two weeks under water.

“These major scientific discoveries, along with several others, have opened up a whole new world of exciting possibilities for developing flood-proof crops, which is increasingly important as flooding becomes more frequent and more severe,” said IRRI.

“The conference is open to anyone interested in learning the latest research on adaptation to flooding and on how science affects agriculture and livelihoods. Scientists, university professors, students, and postgraduate fellows will be attending the conference,” it added.

Aside from the program proper, the conference will include a field tour at IRRI.

IRRI is part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIR) consortium, a group of international research institutions dedicated to crop science.

The institute develops new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques that can be used to improve yield and quality of produce.