IRRI Annual Report 1987

After more than 25 years of research on rice, is there still something left to do that goes beyond national concerns? After more than 25 years of building up national research systems and training thousands of scientists, is there still a role for an institution like IRRI? There is, and this 26th Annual report is only one proof of the need for an international center that focuses on research, training, and institution-building issuce linked to the staple crop of almost half of the world's population. The price of rice has become very consumer friendly, leading to lower investments in rice production schemes. Some scientists, planners, and policymakers question the rationale for such short-term decisions. But there can be no doubt when it comes to rice research. We must search for a new rice yield plateau, especially for the irrigated and favorable rainfed lowland production systems. Those areas fill the rice bowls of the growing number of poor consumers, especially the urban poor. At the same time, we have to contribute to the common goal of improving the living conditions of the underprivileged in the less favorable rice environments