Figure: GI Managing Director Sonja Vermeulen and IRRI Interim Director General Ajay Kohli formalizing the agreement for GI and IRRI

CGIAR February 19 2024  

In a development aimed at advancing global crop breeding, Genetic Innovation (GI), a science group within CGIAR, has entered into an agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The agreement, signed at IRRI’s headquarters in the Philippines, will help support the effective implementation of GI’s activities, and particularly one of its constituents, Breeding Resources Initiative (BRI). 

About the agreement 

Breeding Resources Initiative focuses on developing, offering, and maintaining global shared breeding services for CGIAR and partner Centers, including genotyping, nutritional analysis, trialling and nursery activities and digital solutions for breeders. The agreement formalizes IRRI’s role as a key partner for GI’s activities, and, consequently, for Breeding Resources Initiative. 

The partnership marks a significant step forward for Breeding Resources, allowing it to establish partnerships with influential organizations and receive the necessary support for its progress.  

The agreement represents a formal recognition of the work carried out by GI-BRI, acknowledged by IRRI, a longstanding partner and advocate for Breeding Resources. This partnership constitutes a mutually beneficial collaboration which will leverage and expand the scope of the work of Breeding Resources and is anticipated to yield benefits for both parties, as emphasized by the signatories. 

“IRRI has phenomenal leadership and excels in breeding and data management,” said Dr.  Vermeulen. “This kind of smart work represents the CGIAR of the future”, she added. 

“The collaboration with GI not only solidifies the partnership of IRRI and our sister research Centers under CGIAR,” said Dr. Hans Bhardwaj, director of IRRI’s Rice Breeding Innovations Leadership Team. “It is an inevitable step towards further synergizing of products and services under CGIAR’s portfolio. We are thankful for this opportunity to further demonstrate our commitment and capacity to support CGIAR’s research Initiatives.”

See https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/genetic-innovation-and-irri-forge-strong-partnership-for-breeding-resources-initiative-in-the-philippines/