In the early 90s the idea was founded of a scientific exchange of results on research carried out on rice grown in temperate zones, where not only pedoclimatic characteristic were found to be important, but also social and economic structures create conditions completely different in respect to those of tropical zones.
In 1994 the Australians took it upon themselves to organize the first Temperate Rice Conference (TRC) in Yanco.
Since then the TRC bas been repeated every four years: after Australia, California (1998) and Uruguay (2003), with an increase in participation, the number of disciplines, the thematic fields and the linked initiatives.

At the end of the TRC in 2003 the standing commitee appointed Italy as the site of the fourth appointment: after Yanco, Sacramento and Punta de l'Est, Novara with great pleasure and the knowledge of what great reponsiblity this entails, will host the fourth edition.
In this issue we would also like to introduce the international week of rice included since the fouth edition.
We have tried to organize the program in such a way that the week is up to the importance of the international conference, in order to leave the numerous foreign guests with an unforgettable memory of their stay in the city.
Finally, we would like to introduce the third edition of the award "the Good Rice" a prestigious recognition to those who promote the flavour and tradition of rice and to those who truly act in favour towards developing countries.