The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has signed a seven-year limited exclusivity commercial license agreement with Tao Commodity Trader Inc (TCTI) to promote the commercialisation and distribution of three rice hybrid seed varieties in the Philippines. The three varieties, Mestiso 71, Mestiso 77, and Mestiso 89, were developed by IRRI and are reportedly higher yielding with improved pest and disease tolerance in addition to being more resilient against climate stresses. TCTI is a subsidiary of the Tao Corporation, the Philippines’ largest trader of molasses within the country, which recently made the decision to diversify into the rice seed market. As a result, TCTI has become a member of the IRRI-led Hybrid Rice Development Consortium.