The Director General (DG) of IRRI appoints a HRDC coordinator who shall be a member of the full-time staff of IRRI, with an assistant to manage HRDC daily activities.
The HRDC has an Advisory Committee (AC) composed of three private sector members, two public sector members, and two IRRI representatives. The members of the AC shall be elected or re-elected from HRDC members and appointed by the DG of IRRI for a term of three years and will meet once a year, preferably during the annual HRDC meeting. The HRDC Coordinator at IRRI will serve as ex-officio member and secretary to the AC. The functions of the Advisory Committee shall be as follows:
Screen applications for membership and recommend acceptance of membership to the IRRI DG;
Review the annual HRDC work plan, and regularly review and recommend changes of the HRDC Guidelines, including formulating improved operational policies for fulfilling the goals of the HRDC;
Establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the operations and impact of the HRDC;
Commission and review specific studies on hybrid rice adoption, constraints, and policies; and
Issue media releases and other information for the public.
The HRDC shall meet annually to
Review the most recent research results and discuss research priorities;
Provide the most recent information to its members on new plant genetic resources available or under development (traits, breeding lines, pilot hybrids), and crop management; and
Recommend new HRDC activities related to hybrid rice research and training.
All HRDC members should support their participation in the HRDC annual meeting at their own cost.
IRRI in collaboration with HRDC members will propose the general research directions and prioritization for hybrid rice R&D. Any HRDC member is encouraged to contribute suggestions regarding HRDC research prioritization and activities, but is not allowed to place any restriction on the use of HRDC funds or interfere with the actual implementation of the research agenda.
