Story courtesy of the World Bank Intranet and the CGIAR Secretariat.

January 31, 2001—The successful mapping of the rice genome announced last week is a good example of the rapid advances underway in the biological sciences, which have been likened to a revolution similar to the one that took place in physics in the 1940s. Completion of the rice genome map could greatly speed development of improved rice plants with higher yields, greater resistance to pests, drought and poor soils, and more nutritive value—with tremendous implications for poor consumers and farmers in developing countries.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a global agricultural research network supported by the World Bank to promote food security, poverty eradication, and the sound management of natural resources in the developing world, warmly welcomed the announcement.

"The completion of the rice genome map is a major scientific breakthrough because for the first time scientists have been able to unravel the biological inner workings of one of the most important food crops in the world," said Ian Johnson, World Bank VP and CGIAR Chairman. "This has the potential to usher in a new era of food security—a world where there is less hunger, healthier and better-nourished people, and reduced poverty, especially in rice-producing areas."

This scientific advance was achieved by The Torrey Mesa Research Institute—the genomics research center of Syngenta—and by Myriad Genetics Inc. Equally significant, from the perspective of poor farmers and scientists, was the companies' announcement that the rice genomics information will be made available to the academic and scientific communities through collaborative agreements.

"Our policy is to provide such information and technology for use in products by subsistence farmers without royalties or technology fees," said Rainer Von Mielecki, Head of Public Affairs for Syngenta. "We look forward to working with the World Bank and CGIAR on these issues."

Rice is the main source of food for nearly half the world's population. It is cultivated in more than 100 countries on all continents except Antarctica. Ninety percent of the world's rice is grown and consumed in Asia, the most populous continent. Worldwide, rice production covered approximately 155 million hectares in 1999, making it the world's second most important crop.

The first research samples of pro-Vitamin A enriched "Golden Rice" have arrived in Asia, at the International Rice Research Institute in The Philippines. Photo courtesy of IRRI.

CGIAR scientists at the International Rice Research Institute based near Manila, The Philippines, have just begun work to investigate the potential of "golden rice" in combating Vitamin A Deficiency, which is responsible for 500,000 cases of irreversible blindness and 1 to 2 million deaths worldwide each year. The genetically modified "golden rice" contains beta-carotene and other carotenoids, precursors of Vitamin A, and is one potential solution to the problem of Vitamin A deficiency. The mapping of the rice genome has the potential to accelerate research on other nutritional and yield-enhancing characteristics so important for the health and welfare of millions of some of the world's poorest people.

"We welcome the statement by Syngenta. It is great news that they are willing to make the technology available to benefit poor subsistence farmers," said Johnson. "Of course, it is early days in this work and there is still much to do. But such advances offer great potential for meeting the needs of the poor."

Johnson's statement was echoed by Per Pinstrup-Andersen, director-general of the International Food Policy Research Institute supported by CGIAR. "We hope Syngenta stands by its stated policy to provide access to information and technology for use in products for subsistence farmers without royalties or technology fees. The first five or six years the small farmers won't see much benefit. But the sooner these efforts are underway, the faster poor farmers may reap substantial benefits."

The Bank is keenly interested in the potential of agricultural science and technology and recently hosted a roundtable discussion with 13 CEOs from major agribusiness companies including Syngenta. The goal of the meeting with President Wolfensohn and other senior Bank officials was to get private sector perspectives on how to increase food security and agricultural productivity in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. This was one of several intended meetings with NGOs, business, government officials, and others on agricultural science and technology.