Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Thursday visited the International Rice Research Institute’s South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi and explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration with the global rice research organisation, particularly for developing flood-resistant and short-duration crop varieties for the state.
Singh Deo, who holds the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy portfolios, visited the regional centre on August 20 along with Balangir MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo and Nivritti Lakshyaraj Mewar. He toured several research facilities and reviewed technologies aimed at improving productivity, efficiency and sustainability in rice-based farming systems.
During the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister saw facilities covering speed breeding, varietal cafeteria, mechanisation and post-harvest management, Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) trials, drone-based agricultural demonstrations and regenerative agriculture. He also visited the Geospatial Lab, Plant and Soil Lab and the NABL-accredited Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) laboratories.
ISARC scientists briefed the visiting dignitaries on ongoing research and technologies being developed and demonstrated to address challenges faced by rice farmers. The discussions also covered efforts to strengthen rice value addition and promote agricultural innovation.
An all-staff town hall was subsequently organised, providing an opportunity for the visiting delegation to interact with scientists and staff of ISARC.
Dr Swati Nayak, Scientist and India Country Manager (ad interim), IRRI, and ISARC Interim Director Dr Vikas Kumar Singh welcomed the delegation. Dr Singh gave an overview of ISARC’s work in Odisha, India and South Asia, including research, innovation, capacity building and partnerships aimed at addressing agricultural priorities.
“Rice cannot be separated from India, and I truly appreciate the work being done by IRRI and ISARC scientists to develop new technologies and techniques for farmers,” Singh Deo said.
He described his interaction with scientists as a valuable learning experience and said he looked forward to strengthening collaboration with IRRI to support farmers and advance agricultural innovation in Odisha, with a particular focus on flood-resistant crop varieties and short-duration crops.
Dr Vikas Singh said ISARC valued the leadership and support of the Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and appreciated his commitment to agriculture and farmers.
He said ISARC had, over the past decade, focused on translating research and innovation into solutions for farmers while strengthening partnerships across India and South Asia. He expressed the hope that the support from Odisha would help further strengthen collaboration and scale innovations for sustainable agricultural development.
Dr Swati Nayak highlighted the long-standing collaboration between IRRI and Odisha and the shared focus on rice-based farming systems, livelihoods and economic opportunities for smallholders.
The visit underscored the importance of closer collaboration among policymakers, research institutions and agricultural stakeholders to develop science-based solutions for farmers. It also opened up further opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnerships aimed at making rice-based agri-food systems more resilient and sustainable.
