The modern rice technologies used in the Green Revolution in Asia were most effective in reducing the threat of famine. The Green Revolution has been credited with having a big impact on the reduction of poverty for both the rural and urban poor. For the past four decades most of the countries in Asia have been able to achieve national food security for rice. Also, the percentage of poor people in Asia has significantly declined, but the absolute numbers are large and include most of the rice farmers. Most of the rice farmers, especially in South and South East Asia, are trapped in a cycle of poverty and have not benefited from the recent economic growth in these countries. Increased efficiency in rice production is proposed as a key element in a development program for the rural poor of Asian countries. Examples of near and mid term rice research technologies will be discussed that can address this critical issue of household food security for the rural poor of Asia.

Location:	VBI Auditorium
Price:	Free
Sponsor:	Office of International Research, Education and Development (OIRED)
Contact:	Mike Bertelsen bertel@vt.edu 540/231-9665
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