The World's Richest Man Pays IRRI a Visit

Bill Gates was in the Philippines lately although it was a trip that was not announced, which is typical of Bill Gates, it still got leaked by some media men.  One television station got a photo of Mr. Gates' heli in the premises of IRRI, that prestigious research center inside UP Los Banos.  We all know that UP Los Banos is a premiere university dedicated to the study of agriculture and other allied courses so it is fitting that researches on rice should be conducted here.  Besides that, great scholars and educators in the field of agriculture from all over the world have worked in UPLB.  Going inside IRRI is very challenging.  A confirmation of a booking or scheduled visit is needed before anyone is allowed to enter the compound.  So what brought Mr. Gates in IRRI?  He just happens to be the biggest private donor of IRRI and maybe it is time for him to sign that check again that's why he came over to see the goings-on in the center.   But that's purely speculative, silly me.  He could be here for some R and R too as his name was listed in the immigration that he and his family went to Puerto Prinsesa, the capital city of Palawan.    

Whenever I would bring my trainees to the museum of IRRI, I would never miss reading Bill and Melinda Gates' names written among the major donors of the research center, together with other nation donors.  IRRI is a recipient of many grants and other countries' budget for rice research, specially countries that are rice eaters, and most of these countries are in Asia.  One great thing to see inside IRRI is their rice museum where different machines for irrigation, rice planting, rice harvesting, and rice milling from different countries are showcased, from traditional to modern eras. We could see the evolution of the machines and the ingenuity of the ethnic groups of each country.  It is such an impressive presentation.  Guests will learn to value and appreciate rice production when they visit the IRRI Museum.  

It is laudable that Bill Gates support organizations like IRRI because IRRI's research efforts  have an impact to over 40% of the population of the world.  The changing times, climate and other environmental factors are the reasons why new varieties of rice need to be discovered and studied.  Each country has different terrain, soil quality, climate and these factors affect the growth of rice.  Scholars in the center continue to research and develop rice varieties that are suitable to the terrain and soil quality but also strong enough to withstand climate and weather challenges.    That's why for your altruisim, I salute you, Mr. Gates.