Honoring IRRI’s contributions to Vietnam’s rice industry

For over 60 years, IRRI has played a pivotal role as an international organization with a network of 17 offices worldwide and over 1,000 members. Since the early days of its cooperation with Vietnam, IRRI has supported farmers by introducing scientific and technological advancements, contributing to Vietnam’s emergence as one of the world’s leading rice exporters.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that the introduction of the IR8 rice variety by IRRI in the 1960s marked the beginning of a new era in rice production. “This was a major breakthrough, signifying the robust development of Vietnam’s agricultural sector and playing a significant role in the success of the Green Revolution,” said the Deputy Minister.

Additionally, IRRI has researched and developed more than 60 new rice varieties, including high-yield types such as IR64 and IR504, which have significantly boosted Vietnam's rice production. In recent years, the institute has been at the forefront of developing rice varieties that are resilient to climate change, ensuring national food security in the face of increasingly complex climate challenges.

To promote the sustainable transformation of rice production, IRRI has implemented advanced farming techniques such as the "1 Must, 5 Reductions" model, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) techniques, mechanized sowing and straw treatment, and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) tools. These innovations have helped optimize the use of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, conserve water, and increase farmers’ incomes.

Beyond its scientific and technical contributions, IRRI has trained and enhanced the capabilities of thousands of Vietnamese scientists and technicians, fostering high-quality human resources for the agricultural sector. The institute has also closely collaborated with Vietnamese research and management agencies to develop sustainable agricultural policies.

“These achievements are a testament to the close cooperation between IRRI and Vietnam, contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s agricultural sector, particularly the rice industry,” remarked Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan. “For this reason, today, the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have decided to bestow distinguished awards on IRRI and its outstanding individuals.”

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam then presented the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). In recognition of their exceptional contributions, the President’s Friendship Medal was awarded to IRRI Deputy Director General Ajay Kohli and Dr. Bas Antonius Maria Bouman, Director of Sustainable Impact Research.

During the event, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also paid special tribute to former Minister Cao Duc Phat, a prominent figure who played a key role in fostering the Vietnam-IRRI partnership over the years. 

Currently serving as Chairman of the IRRI Board of Trustees, Dr. Cao Duc Phat continues to act as a vital bridge, contributing to the sustainable development of both the regional and global rice industries.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development awarded certificates of merit to five organizations and commemorative medals to 11 distinguished individuals from IRRI.

The five organizations honored with certificates of merit by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development included the IRRI National Office in Vietnam, the Breeding Research Board, the Sustainable Rice Cultivation Systems Development Board, the Resource Mobilization and Project Management Board, and the Service and Organizational Systems Board.

The 11 individuals receiving the Commemorative Medal from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development were: Dr. Jongsoo Shin - IRRI Asia Representative; Dr. Robert Caudwell - Country Representative of IRRI in Vietnam; Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander - senior scientist climate change focal point; Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Van Hung - Senior Scientist I and Lead of Mechanization and Post-harvest; Dr. Kazuki Saito - senior scientist and cropping systems agronomy expert; Dr. Bui Tan Yen - climate change expert; Dr. Katherine Nelson - climate change expert; Mr. Eisen Bernard Bernardo - Communication Expert; Ms. Vu Hong Trang - climate change expert; Ms. Dinh Thi Kim Dung - manager of partnership engagement and project coordination of IRRI Vietnam Office.

With the spirit of cooperation and continuous innovation, IRRI and Vietnam will together create new steps forward, bringing the Vietnamese rice industry to sustainable development in the era of technology 4.0.