On an agricultural research station, south of Manila, a group of scientists are battling against time to breed new varieties of rice as global warming threatens one of the world's major sources of food. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), more than than half the world's 6.6 billion people depend on rice for nourishment.
Indian plant geneticist, Kumar Singh, grows 2000 rice varieties inside giant metal cabinets, the seedlings sprouting above styrofoam trays soaked with varying degrees of brine to simulate the seawaters that threaten to engulf rice-growing areas over the next century.
The three IRRI scientists (Moroccan crop physiologist, Rachid Serraj; Chinese scientist, Peng Shaobing and Indian plant geneticist, Kumar Singh) are entrusted with ensuring that the half of mankind who depend on rice will not go hungry as rising temperatures and ocean levels threaten one of the world's most important crops.
(Excerpted from 'World Panorama' of The New Indian Express (Madurai) of Aug.18, 2007)
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