GLOBAL POLICIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

I first visited Madagascar before joining IRRI and observed that although it is a mega biodiversity area, very little of the rice germplasm was being used in breeding. Therefore I came to the conclusion that we should help Madagascar in establishing a Rice Research Institute. Soon after the visit to Madagascar, I joined as the Director-General of the IRRI. One of my projects in IRRI was helping Madagascar since it is the second largest rice growing country in Africa. This became possible with support from the US government. My last programme before leaving IRRI was to get the Madagascar Rice Research Institute inaugurated.