Just a quick note to say that Typhoon Rammasun caused some damage at IRRI, but apparently nothing major. The genebank is ok, but the screenhouse used to keep some wild rice plants will clearly have to be repaired. I’m assured that’s going to be a high priority.
This typhoon, known as Glenda in the Philippines, actually did more damage at IRRI probably than any other in recent years. In fact, one of my former staff who has been at IRRI for 40 years or so, told me it was the worst damage she had experienced. But, resilient as ever, IRRI staff have cleared up much of the damage, roofs and windows will be replaced, and soon things will get back to normal. When I was head of the Genetic Resources Center, the wild rice screen-house complex (out on the Upland Farm, about 3.5 km from the main research complex) was damaged a couple of times, with the screen mesh shredded and ripped off. The plants are grown in pots in a screen-house because it’s not permitted to grow them in the field — seed shedding! And also to protect them from birds. Hopefully IRRI will afford some priority to these screen-houses. The main genebank building is like a fortress. The storage vaults are insulated rooms inside a reinforced concrete shell — it would take some serious and major calamity for that building to be affected. It has priority for electricity supply. The genebank collection is safe. In any case I’ll be able to see things for myself in a couple of weeks when I visit IRRI.
Is there any news regarding the Philippine’s national genebank close by the IRRI facility?
Not yet.