MANILA, Philippines, 2 February, 2024 – The International Rice Research Institute  (IRRI) and the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the formal turnover of the Digital Training Module on Rice: Research to Production (RR2P) from IRRI to the DA-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI). 

The ceremonial turnover marks the official transitioning of the Rice: Research to Production (RR2P) Online Training Program developed under the the DA-IRRI “Strengthening the capability of national research for development and Extension partners for Research and deVelopment and Extension of information and technologies to improve productivity, competitiveness, and resilience of rice-based farming communities in the Philippines (DA-IRRI SERVE 2)” Project which ended last October 2023. 

The DA-IRRI SERVE 2 project aims to continually strengthen and sustain the gains in capacity development and partnership in rice science between IRRI and DA through work packages that build on the successes and unify the capacity development initiatives of its predecessor projects, SERVE 1 and Enhancing the Research and Development Capacities (Skills, Competencies and Capabilities) and Formulation of the R&D Capacity Development Program of the Regional Rice and Rice-based Research and Development Network (ER4D). The SERVE 2 Project generally aims to provide a platform and enabling mechanisms to the national agricultural research and extension partners (NAREP) from the different DA Regional Field Offices and Attached Agencies, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Local Government Units (LGUs).