IRRI deepens its partnership with the Government of India through ICAR

IRRI and ICAR have signed a five-year work plan, strengthening the 60-year relationship between India and the organization.

(VARANASI, Uttar Pradesh, 19 April 2023) – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has renewed its partnership with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) strengthening its operations in the country for another five years. A work plan signing ceremony was organized at the International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi on 19 April 2023.

The renewed partnership was emphasized in the work plan for 2023-2027 signed between Dr. Jean Balié, IRRI Director General and Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary DARE & DG, ICAR, revitalizing IRRI’s 60-year-old collaboration with the government of India through ICAR.

Over the past decades, IRRI has been working with ICAR over a number of initiatives and programs. Moving forward, the work plan is envisioned to further expand the development and adoption of key innovations and research such as the direct seeded rice system, enhancing the nutritional quality of different rice varieties, and the climate resilient rice systems, among others.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary DARE & DG, ICAR, said, “Rice is not just a staple food for India but an important part of our culture, heritage, and economy. The development of India will come from agricultural development and the development of rice will usher agricultural development in the country and IRRI is at the forefront of rice research and development. This collaboration between ICAR and IRRI is exemplary and one which can be emulated. During time of the second prime minister of India ‘ Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan ’ was propagated in honour of the soldier and farmers, which got elevated by adding ‘ jai vigyan ’ to propagate the importance of science and now this has been…