Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan seeks stronger IRRI partnership for climate-resilient rice farming

BHUBANESWAR: Deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Thursday visited the International Rice Research Institute's South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) at Varanasi and discussed possibilities of collaboration on climate-resilient rice cultivation, agricultural innovation and technologies for improving farmers' productivity and incomes.

Singh Deo, additionally the minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment and Energy, toured key research and demonstration facilities, including speed breeding and varietal cafeteria facilities, mechanisation and post-harvest units, direct-seeded rice trial plots, drone demonstrations and regenerative agriculture fields. Scientists of the centre briefed the deputy chief minister on technologies being developed to enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability in rice cultivation.

He additionally visited the geospatial lab, plant and soil laboratories and the NABL-accredited Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA), where he was apprised of advanced research and efforts to promote value addition in rice.

At an interaction with scientists and staff of ISARC, IRRI scientist and India acting country manager Swati Nayak highlighted the institute's long-standing collaboration with Odisha and its focus on rice-based farming systems, livelihoods and economic opportunities for small farmers.

Singh Deo remarked the visit had been a valuable learning experience and expressed the state's interest in deeper collaboration with IRRI, particularly in identifying rice varieties and short-duration crops suited to farmers' needs during the current flood situation.

"Rice cannot be separated from India, and I sincerely appreciate the work of IRRI and ISARC scientists in developing new technologies and strategies for farmers, " he remarked. ISARC executive director Vikas Kumar Singh remarked the centre looked forward to expanding its partnership with Odisha. Balangir MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo accompanied the deputy chief minister.

Taken together, the developments around deputy CM Kanak Vardhan seeks stronger IRRI partnership for climate point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.