Bali, Indonesia, November 3, 2023 – The 27th Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) concluded its annual meeting from November 1 and 2 in Bali, Indonesia. Hosted by Badan Standardisasi Instrumen Pertanian (BSIP) under the Ministry of Agriculture, the event brought together senior officials and representatives of national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) from major rice-producing and consuming countries. CORRA’s meetings serve as a crucial platform for assessing, discussing, and agreeing on collaborative actions and initiatives regarding principal issues and challenges facing the Asian and global rice industry.
Dr. Fadjry Djufry, Director General of BSIP said that the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized the importance of standards in promoting a more vibrant agricultural sector. "This is the basis for the birth of BSIP which has a mandate to carry out standardization management in the agricultural sector," he explained, adding that standardization in rice farming is important in relation to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
For his part, Dr. Haris Syahbuddin, Executive Secretary of BSIP, Ministry of Agriculture, expressed optimism about the meeting's outcomes. "It is my hope that this meeting will not only focus on the challenges and solutions in the rice-based agrifood system but importantly strengthen regional cooperation and networking among all the member countries and IRRI.”
IRRI Interim Director General Dr. Ajay Kohli, emphasized the importance of collaboration among NARES and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in fulfilling CORRA’s mission. "This exceptional convergence among NARES and IRRI is fundamental to fulfilling CORRA’s mission, which is that of connecting and accelerating rice research and development for the benefit of populations that depend on rice-based food systems.”
The conference commenced on November 1 with insightful discussions and key sessions on topics such as low input agriculture, standardization in rice and agriculture, crop management practices, and rice product diversification. These sessions provided valuable insights into addressing challenges faced by rice farmers and enhancing the sustainability of rice production. During the meeting, CORRA members also unanimously approved the Rice Research Institute of Uzbek - National Center for Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture (RRI-NCKIA) under the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, to become a part of CORRA, further expanding the organization’s reach and collaboration network to include Central Asia.
On the second day, participants embarked on a field trip to the scenic Jatiluwih Rice Terrace. During this trip, attendees interacted with members of the Farmers Group "Somya Pertiwi” and gained practical knowledge about sustainable farming techniques and challenges faced by local farmers. This hands-on experience underscored the importance of implementing innovative agricultural practices for the future of rice cultivation.
The success of the 27th CORRA conference in Bali, Indonesia, reflects the dedication of participating organizations and individuals to shaping a sustainable and resilient future for rice agriculture in the region. CORRA remains committed to its mission of connecting and accelerating rice research and development, ensuring the well-being of communities reliant on rice-based food systems.