President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is set to visit today the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna, where the world's biggest collection of rice genetic diversity can be found.

IRRI has been working closely with the Department of Agriculture, which is currently headed by no less than the President, in improving the country's rice industry to ultimately combat hunger among Filipinos.

At the IRRI headquarters in Los Baños town, Marcos will tour the Genebank, which houses more than 132,000 "cultivated species of rice, wild relatives, and species from related genera."

The Office of the Press Secretary said different countries their rice to IRRI "for safekeeping and sharing for the common public good."

The Chief Executive is also set to witness the demonstration of drones that are being used for a variety of applications in rice research and production.

"Mapping drones with high-resolution cameras can measure key traits and monitor crop health and performance in real-time, and aid in the precision management of nutrients, water, weeds, pests, and diseases," the OPS said.

"Larger drones can be used for direct seeding rice, fertilizer application, and spraying of pesticides and herbicides," it added.

IRRI — an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute — preserves rice biodiversity to conserve rice genetic resources as a global strategy.

OPS noted that IRRI has been contributing to the international community by developing and improving rice plant varieties and associated technology for higher yields.

Rice science

Founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations with support from the Philippine government, IRRI is the "world's premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science."

IRRI leads in protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations and ensuring food security for the rice-consuming population in the Philippines.

In one of his speeches during his participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this month, Marcos urged his fellow economic leaders to make food security their respective government's top priority.

Marcos stressed the need to ensure food security, calling it a "serious global problem" as it is being felt by "every household, by every family, by everyone."

The President said each economic leader must have the policy flexibility needed to ensure increased domestic food production and diversification and to improve the local agricultural supply and value chain.