Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, accompanied by MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo and Nivritti Lakshyaraj Mewar, visited the International Rice Research Institute’s regional centre (ISARC) in Varanasi on August 20, underscoring Odisha’s commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainable rice‑based agri‑food systems.
During the visit, Singh Deo toured ISARC’s advanced research facilities including Speed Breeding, Varietal Cafeteria, Mechanisation and Post‑Harvest units, Direct‑Seeded Rice trial plots, Drone demonstrations, and regenerative agriculture areas. He also interacted with scientists at the Geospatial Lab, Plant & Soil Lab, and NABL‑accredited Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA).
Addressing ISARC staff, Singh Deo praised IRRI and ISARC’s work in developing new technologies for farmers, stressing the importance of flood‑resistant and short‑duration crop varieties. He pledged Odisha’s continued collaboration with IRRI to strengthen agricultural innovation and farmer support.
ISARC Director Dr Vikas Kumar Singh and IRRI India Country Manager Dr Swati Nayak welcomed the dignitaries, highlighting ongoing collaborations with Odisha and South Asia. They emphasised the role of partnerships in advancing science‑based solutions for resilient farming systems.
The visit reinforced the importance of policy‑research collaboration and opened new opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation, and sustainable agricultural development in Odisha and beyond.
