Real time with the Rice Survivors

IRRI Seminar

With discussion and Q&A with the Rice Survivor participants

1315-1415 H, Thursday, 2 May 2013

Havener Auditorium, IRRI

Abstract:

Rice Survivor is a 'reality challenge' to help us see who can grow the most successful rice crop. Teams comprised of IRRI staff and scholars compete to grow the most profitable and sustainable crop. The members of each team are a mix of nationalities, gender, and skill level; most of them have had very limited experience growing a rice crop!

The purpose of this experience-based method of learning is two-fold: first, we think it is important that the staff members of a rice research institute understand the entire rice production process, including decisions and challenges that farmers face; and second, it helps us as an institution to identify gaps in our knowledge resources so that we can fix these.

Four teams planted, managed, and harvested their own rice crops in the last dry season. In this seminar, the Rice Survivors will be discussing their experiences in a panel discussion, where a video compilation of the season's activities will also be shown. We will discuss sabotage, deception, fear, triumph, and survival in the ever-exciting world of rice farming!