The French Rice Research Network gathers more than XX researchers working on rice physiology, rice genetics and genomics, breeding, rice health, agronomy, economy, social sciences, water management, post-harvest quality… More than XX labs, mostly located in southern France, and affiliated to various research institutes (Cirad, IRD, INRAE, CNRS, CFR, Montpellier University, and Perpignan University) involve research on rice.

The French Rice Research Network constitutes an international network of researchers dedicated to scientific research on a staple crop for more than half of the world’s population, the vast majority of them living in low- and lower-middle-income countries. It aims to improve rice production, within the Sustainable Development Goals: ‘Zero Hunger’, ‘No poverty’, ‘Climate action’, ‘Quality education’ and ‘Partnerships’.

In addition to research conducted in France (Camargue area), many collaborative on-going research projects are conducted in Asia, where about 90% of worldwide rice is grown, in Africa, where rice is fastest-growing food staple and in Latin America where rice is one of the most important and fastest growing staples – both Africa and Latin America being net importers for rice.

Scientific research is conducted in tight partnership with international research centers (IRRI, AfricaRice, Alliance), National Research Institutes (NARS), Universities, as well as non-academic partners (NGOs, farmer’s associations…) all around the world.

In addition, it also contributes to capacity building for southern partners, particularly though a strong implication in training, such as PhD students, masters, engineers and technicians.