Hyderabad, May 6 (TNT): Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) Secretary and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat, laid the foundation stone for a ₹12-crore Speed Breeding Facility and inaugurated a Modern Seed Godown constructed at a cost of ₹1.6 crore at ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) here on Wednesday.
The newly established facilities are aimed at accelerating the development of improved rice varieties with higher yield potential, climate resilience and stress tolerance.
The Speed Breeding Facility is expected to significantly reduce crop breeding cycles, while the Modern Seed Godown will help ensure safe storage and timely distribution of quality seeds.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jat appreciated ICAR-IIRR for its scientific contributions to rice research and said the new infrastructure marks an important step towards integrating advanced research with efficient seed systems.
He noted that the Speed Breeding Facility would accelerate innovation in rice improvement, while the Modern Seed Godown would strengthen the availability of quality seeds for farmers.
He emphasized that such initiatives are vital for promoting climate-resilient agriculture, enhancing productivity and ensuring nutritional security.
Strengthening research and seed systems, he added, is essential for realizing the vision of “Viksit Krishi for Viksit Bharat.”
Later, Dr. Jat interacted with the scientific, technical and administrative staff of the institute and appreciated their contributions towards advancing rice research in the country.
ICAR-IIRR Director Dr. R. M. Sundaram, presented the institute’s major achievements, ongoing research programmes and future vision during the event.
Sp0eaking on the occasion, Dr. D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), ICAR, highlighted the importance of strengthening research infrastructure for accelerating crop improvement and improving farmers’ access to quality seeds.
He also congratulated ICAR-IIRR for its continued efforts in supporting national food security through rice research.
TNT TS
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