IR8 is a high-yielding semi-dwarf rice variety developed at IRRI in the 1960s. IR8 was a cross of a high-yielding but tall rice variety from Indonesia named Peta, and a dwarf variety Dee-geo-woo-gen (DGWG) from Taiwan. IR8’s performance was also due to its capacity to utilize nitrogen effectively.

The variety was widely distributed through various organizational NARES partners of IRRI. Because of its impact on rice production, IRRI was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in 1969.

The "miracle rice" later became a parent of many successful varieties developed and bred by plant breeders across Asia.

Explore IR varieties released across the world

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