Established on December 9, 1959, with support from the Ford and Rockefeller Foundation and the government of the Philippines, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has become the largest non-profit agricultural research center in Asia.

In the last 50 years since the IRRI found its home in Los Baños, Laguna, the organization has expanded and established offices in 14 nations in Asia and Africa and expanded its reach to Latin America. From the initial support extended by the two philanthropic institutions, IRRI now enjoys the partnership and support of agricultural research institutes in other countries, international development agencies, and new philanthropic organizations. In the last three years, IRRI, along with other organizations working for eliminating hunger around the world, obtained support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

In the 50 years of IRRI, the institute’s work has helped feed much of the world’s population, reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. IRRI’s high-yielding rice varieties have helped significantly increase world rice production, especially in Asia, saving millions from famine while protecting the environment and training thousands of researchers.

IRRI’s Golden Jubilee comes as world food security faces unprecedented challenges but also coincides with a revolutionary time for rice research. The sequencing of the rice genome is providing researchers with new knowledge that is allowing them to attack many old problems with new solutions.

Several major events are planned for the anniversary celebration that was launched by Her Royal Highness, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, at the IRRI’s main headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. The launch coincided with the holding of the 6th International Rice Genetics Symposium at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

The celebratory activities will continue until 2010, highlighted by the 50th annual meeting of the institute’s Board of Trustees on April 12-17, 2010, followed by a homecoming for all former IRRI staff and scholars in Los Baños. The culminating activity will be the holding of the Third International Rice Congress (IRC2010) on November 9-12, 2010, in Hanoi, Vietnam. This will be the world’s largest gathering of the rice industry, with the theme “Rice for Future Generations.” Other events will be held around Asia in 2010 as each rice-producing nation celebrates its research and production achievements.

The International Rice Research Institute, which launched the Green Revolution, has remained a constant contributor to the continuing quest for food security around the world. We congratulate the International Rice Research Institute led by Director General Dr. Robert Zeigler, Officers and Staff, on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. We wish them success in all their endeavors.