Jamison, John Bryan O.

May 2, 2014
Reflection paper: A Trip in IRRI

I have long known IRRI ever since my first year in high school because I am a graduate of
UPRHS. We have a subject called AST (Agrictulture, Science and Technology), and we had field
trips here in IRRI. I remembered that we watched a video about rice; we also visited the
museum; but the most unforgettable experience is when we planted rice in the paddy field. It
was very memorable since it was my first time planting rice, actually then, I dont know if Im
doing it correctly, but I had fun playing with mud. It was very funny that I swam, and covered
myself with mud, my teacher even scolded us because of what we did.

I dont remember much during the field trip in the museum, I just remembered that we
take pictures but I dont really got the chance to know more about rice since we are busy
adoring the figures. This time, since Im a bit mature, I actually got to learn a few things about
rice.

IRRI or International Rice Research Institute, is a private, non profit organization that
specializes in training and research in agriculture. And obviously, the organization focuses on
the improvement of the staple food of the Philippines, rice.

I really learned new things about rice during the tour in the museum. Before, I thought
that only few countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Korean etc. regarded rice as staple food, but
no; more than half of the worlds population regarded rice as staple food. And I thought that
rice has only one scientific name Oryza Sativa, but again I was wrong. Another cultivated
species is called Oryza Galaberrima. The former is grown on asia while the latter is grown in
west Africa.

I also learned that IRRI developed Flood-prone and Deepwater Rice. It is very convenient
for a flood prone country like us. Even if there is flood, there will still be harvest. The flood
prone and Deepwater rice measure more or less than 11 feet. This rice surprisingly feed 100
million poor families.

I also got to know more about rice products. And I and my friend notice that it is mostly
Japanese products well nothing less to a developed country whose staple food is the same as
us. Rice crackers, Rice wine, Rice tea, even Rice soap and Rice paper are such products from
Japan. Of course, the Philippines has their own rice products actually, more of a rice dish
such are bibingka, puto, puto bumbong, espasol, sapin-sapin.

I also got to see different tools and clothes used for cultivating rice in different cultures
including Korea and Japan and of course the Philippines. I also learned that there are many
festivals celebrated for rice and it is very prominent in China and here in the Philippines. Such
festivals in Philippines includes the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon and the Pahoy-Pahoy
festivals in Cabilga, Samar.

I really learned a lot during my trip here in the IRRI museum. I had fun during my tour.