Piloting International Rice Research

The golden era of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was between 1982 and 1988, when Professor M. S. Swaminathan was its Director General. Swaminathan built the IRRI into a centre of scientific excellence, and quickly brought the IRRI to prominence among the centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). As a renowned plant breeder and geneticist, Swaminathan’s primary focus was on developing high-yielding and insect- and disease-resistant rice varieties. Under his leadership, the IRRI made significant strides in rice breeding, genetics, biotechnology, biochemistry, physiology, and supportive agronomic practices. During his period as Director General, the IRRI developed and deployed improved rice varieties that significantly increased yields and helped to combat hunger and malnutrition.