TO BOOST research on how to improve global rice production, a weekly publication focusing on the rice industry donated $10,000 to the International Rice Research Institute (Irri).

The fund, The Rice Trader (TRT) president Jeremy Zwinger said, was sourced out from the fund for the World Rice Conference, the convention that brought together rice traders from all over the globe.

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TRT, a member of the International Commodity Institure, organized the conference to discuss the future of global rice production.

“As citizens of the world, this donation is a small gesture to achieve a sustainable food supply to the world,” Zwinger said.

The check donation was received by Department of Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap who also gave a keynote speech during the opening program of the conference last Wednesday.

Yap, an Irri board member, said the donation will go a long way for the institution’s research programs.

“An increased production is good for business and will go to the protection of the vulnerable,” Yap told participants of the conference.

During his keynote speech, Yap also appealed to rice traders to support the funding of food research and climate change adoption programs.

“You have a bigger moral obligation to contribute to (food security),” he said.

At the same time, Yap also called on world leaders to make true their pledges to fund research that will support the development of global food production.

“What has happened to the pledges of the G20 and the G8?” he said.

James Guinn, a representative from the United States Rice Federation, said there has been a “great change of attitude” by the American government towards pushing for global food security.

“The US President made international food security a priority and to provide food aid (to those in need),” he said in an interview with reporters.

Also last Wednesday, Yap was awarded the International Market Achievement Award by TRT in recognition of the National Food Authority and the DA’s efforts in promoting food security in the country.