Odisha and IRRI start project to improve rice farmers' productivity and income
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Of 200 joint rice research projects between India and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), 30 are being conducted in the state of Odisha. Recently, the state's Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment (DAFE) has approved the implementation of new 5-year effort that aims to improve the productivity of the state's rice-based cropping systems and the incomes of its farmers.
"This is an exciting development in the cooperative efforts between India and IRRI," said Corinta Guerta, director for IRRI's external relations. "India has been a very important long-time partner of IRRI since 1967."
The collaborative project between DAFE and IRRI was signed in September. In connection with the new project, Manoj Ahuja, principal secretary of DAFE, Vice Chancellor Surendranath Pasupalak of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, and Commissioner and Director Pramod Kumar Meherda of the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production visited IRRI on 27-28 October. They met with IRRI scientists and toured the institute's various facilities to observe ongoing research activities and technologies.
"We are interested in everything you have to offer," said Secretary Ahuja.
During a briefing, they received an overview of some of IRRI's projects in India. Among the projects discussed was the Stress-Tolerant Rice for Africa and South Asia (STRASA), which focuses on accelerating the dissemination of improved rice varieties in the region. The Secretary and his associates were also updated on IRRI's collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in developing new rice varieties for the region using the latest breeding technologies.
"STRASA uses innovative approaches and regional cooperation for promoting stress-tolerant rice varieties not only in India but throughout South Asia," said Dr. Abdelbagi Ismail, project leader of STRASA. "We have shortened the time for these varieties to reach farmers by almost half, a process that previously took 10-15 years."
Dr. Kshirod Jena, IRRI principal scientist, presented results of the collaborative breeding activities between ICAR and the institute. He pointed out that they are upgrading popular Indian rice varieties by incorporating rice genes responsible for high yield, stronger resistances to pests and diseases, and tolerances of environmental stresses.
"Early reports have shown dramatic increases in the yields of varieties MUTU 1010, Samba Mahsuri, and Swarna into which new genes have been incorporated," said Jena. "They also show better resistance to pests and diseases affecting rice production in Odisha."
Labels: strasa
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