Since 1960 the International Rice Research Institute with its 15 centres has been working to promote and improve the production of rice. This accessible account highlights some of the human impact of the natural resource management and post-harvest technologies and social/land policies which have in many areas doubled rice yield in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Anecdotes, personal experiences and colour photographs show how IRRI work and research has had immense impacts on the life of men and women of the Mekong and on the world's food supply.