Iran: Rice technologists from West and Central Asia join rice production course

Sixteen rice technologists from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkey underwent the two-week Rice Production Training Course held in Iran on 24 June–6 July 2013.

The training course was the first offered by the Regional Rice Research and Training Centre (RRRTC) and covered all aspects of rice production and processing. It was presented in English, Persian, and Russian but, as Joe Rickman of IRRI, one of the resource persons, said, “Language was not a major barrier as all lectures were supported by many practical exercises, and we had great translators.”

The course included visits to local rice-fish-duck farms, rice seedling farms, rice mills, and manufacturers of machinery. Participants were taught to use farm equipment, plow fields, establish and protect crops, mill, and test for grain quality.

Dr. Shahdi, IRRI representative in Iran, said that the students enjoyed the practical approach of the course and the new knowledge on equipment and technologies.

Resource persons for the course were Engr. Rickman and Eugene Castro from IRRI and ten subject matter specialists from Iran.

The training course was jointly conducted by the IRRI and the RRRTC for Central West Asia in Rasht, Iran.


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