Need to Work on Varieties with Resistance to a Range of Pests & Diseases: ICAR DG

Trilochan Mohapatra, Director-General of ICAR, has directed rice scientists to focus on cultivating varieties with multiple resistances to a variety of pests and diseases. On Monday, he virtually addressed the inaugural function of the 57th Annual Rice Research Group meeting, saying that it was the time for the country to focus on precision farming.

Mohpatra, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), stated that agriculture in general, and the rice sector in particular, had performed exceptionally well in the last two years despite the pandemic.

He believed that there was a need to evaluate technologies in order to reduce cultivation costs while ensuring environmental sustainability. "Potential microbial cultures can be validated through multi-location trials to reduce fertilizer use and, as a result, the cost of rice cultivation." "Rice scientists should be able to think beyond the current research aspects," he said.

According to R Meenakshi Sundaram, Director of the Indian Institute of Rice Research Institute (IIRR), 27 high-yielding varieties and three hybrids were released last year through the central varietal release committee.

T R Sharma, ICAR's Deputy Director-General (Crop Sciences), recalled how the mapping of the rice genome aided in the development of high-yielding rice varieties and hybrids. "Genes are incorporated to improve yield and to manage biotic and abiotic stresses," he explained.

He also emphasized the importance of national and international collaboration in addressing the problems that farmers face as a result of climate change and other natural disasters.

The three-day event is attended by approximately 400 delegates from India and abroad. The meeting would not only evaluate the work done last year, but it would also lay out a plan for the rice seasons of 2022-23.

About ICAR:

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is a self-governing body in India that coordinates agricultural education and research. It reports to the Ministry of Agriculture's Department of Agricultural Research and Education. Its president is the Union Minister of Agriculture. It is the world's largest network of agricultural research and education institutes.