The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have unveiled a comprehensive database that can help policy-makers and researchers create new knowledge to improve rice production.
Dubbed Ricestats Database, Irri said it intends to create a reference resource by using ontology to combine data into a one-stop accessible database with a displayable dashboard for rice statistics.
The platform runs on Amazon Web Services, such as AWS Glue, Athena, and S3 for data extraction, transformation and loading while the transformed data is stored in AWS cloud warehouse Redshift.
The database will contain data from existing household surveys conducted by Irri globally and will include data from national bureaus and international organizations. Currently, Irri said such a consolidated database with disaggregated data, such as production by season and gender of household head up to the barangay level, does not exist for rice in Asia.
“Without new knowledge especially in science and technology, without the new knowledge that will be generated, it will be difficult to make good decisions on conservation and resource use, something that is vital to the success of rice production,” said academician Dr. William Padolina in his speech.
The launch held recently in Makati City, was hosted by Irri, the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (Asti) and AWS.
Irri is connected to the Philippine Research,
Education, and Government Information Network, which is being managed by the
DOST-Asti. PREGINET is the Philippines’s only National Research and Education
Network (NREN) that is connected to a global REN, of which “Asi@Connect” is the
Asia-
Europe connection.
“Ricestats Database will enable the dissemination of comprehensive rice socioeconomic data through an easily accessible database interface on a wider scale. The project will provide a unique resource for agricultural and social science researchers, academia, policy-makers, donors and investors in the rice sector and beyond,” said Irri Representative for the Philippines Romeo Recide. Asi@Connect empowers Asian countries by enabling them to participate in collaborative programs like Ricestats Database. They also bridge the digital divide that exists within the global communities of research, education and health.
Asi@Connect marks the fourth phase of European Union funding to the Trans-Eurasia Information Network program which was launched as an Asia-Europe Meeting initiative in 2000; it successfully established a regional research and education Internet network from scratch in 2004, and progressively expanded its geographical footprint over the years.
The Asi@Connect partners are the NRENs of Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes