7/31/2019 RT Vol. 10, No. 1 Hidden Treasure

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5Rice TodayJanuary-March 2011

Hidden Treasure*

In the next 50 years

O

tentimes, in the midst o celebratingand looking back at accomplishments,we take a pause in lie. It is as i one hasnally reached the top o the mountain

ater an arduous climb, and takes time to sit down,rest, and reect on the journey.Perhaps, this is the last hurraho this 50-year celebration.And so, allow me to once againhumbly honor those whohave dedicated their careersto propel great revolutions inagriculture. The time and efortthey have devoted to ensurewe have ood on our plate iscommendable. It is becauseo them that wethe riceindustry and IRRInow standwhere we are, celebrating themany hard-won achievements in ood production.

So, what has occurred during the last 50 years?Prior to 1960, we were still mentally moving awayrom the devastation o World War II. At that time,the world had a great sense o rebuilding lives anda renewed sense o hope or a better uture. Thepopulation then was around a staggering 3 billionand questions abounded concerning how to push

or industrial and technological revolution, while atthe same time sustaining agricultural growth to eedthe growing number o people. Political turmoil andshits in global power ollowed and brought aboutsocioeconomic changes. Yet, in all o this, the worldhad to look orward to the progression o the humanrace. Problems will always be there, but humans havebeen blessed with the ability to solve challenges. Ibelieve that we will continue to triumph over morechallenges in the uture.

In the next 50 years, what must we do as we move

* The opinions expressed here are those o the author and do not necessarily reect the views o the International Rice Research Institute.

orward and what challenges lie ahead o us? Thesimple answer is to sustain the achievements seenin the last hal a century, and even push or moreadvancement to increase our ood supply. The worldspopulation will continue to grow dramatically. But, theamount o land used or ood production is reaching

its maximum capacity, and so we must ocus on usingland resources more eciently, boosting yields, and

reducing postharvest losses.Needless to say, we need tond new, better, and moresustainable ways to increaseour ood supply, and at thesame time keep prices in checkto ensure that everyone canstill have access to ood. Energyis yet another actor that mustbe considered on the road

ahead as it will surely leave atrail, particularly in the costo ertilizers, a valued input toboost yields.

Working diligently to make sure the world hasample ood supplies and remains sae rom ears oood shortages is a priority. One thing is certain: thechallenges will be great. Nonetheless, we are also surethat some people will stand up to these challengesknowing that their sacrices today will be rewardedmuch laterto the benet o uture generations.For me, quiet success outweighs the need or publicaccolades.

With this, I would like to end by wishing everyonea happy new year. May 2011 bring us more blessingsbut, more importantly, that we understand theblessings that have already been bestowed upon us.

Jeremy Zwinger

Publisher

In honor of the International Rice Research Institutes

(IRRI) 50 years of dedication to rice research and

development, The Rice Trader (TRT) donated US$10,000

to IRRI during the TRT World Rice Conference in

Phuket, Thailand, last 12-14 October. This amount is not

much compared to the great wealth of others, but I am

nonetheless glad to be able to give back to the Institute

that has given so much to the world.

Dr. Samarendu Mohanty (right)receives the donation on behalfof IRRI from TRTs President/CEO

Jeremy Zwinger.

THE RICE TRADER