About 300 scientists from various parts of the country participated in the virtual meeting.
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad organized the Virtual 55th Annual Rice Research Group Meeting in recent.
In his inaugural address through Video Conferencing, Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) emphasized on the importance of digital platform in facilitating the much needed participation of senior officials of ICAR as well as experts in all the All India Coordinated Research Projects Meetings for ensuring an effective outcome. Highlighting the country’s self-sufficiency in food production which ensured feeding the large population despite the serious COVID-19 situation, the Director General accentuated on the enhanced rice production that has also given the confidence to explore diversion of its use for bio-ethanol production.
Emphasizing on the Production Oriented Survey of ICAR-IIRR that should help in guiding policy makers in rice sector, Dr Mohapatra suggested for utilizing the hybrid rice production strategy to enhance the rice productivity. He stressed on encouraging the young researchers towards hybrid rice research. The DG also accentuated on the need for working more effectively in the areas of nitrogen use efficiency, critical analysis of water use, pre-breeding as well as speed breeding, multiple pest resistance and harmonious integration of IPM research in different Institutes.
Dr Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR emphasized on one of the target areas for further research that was to provide effective package of practices for direct seeded rice areas in the North-Western India. Dr Sharma also stressed on the need for human resource development towards strengthening the ICAR’s functioning.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Dipak Maithi, Director, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha highlighted about the AICRIP’s genesis and its contributions towards the service of rice farming community, despite the challenges of climate change, low income and other issues.
Dr S.R. Voleti, Director, ICAR-IIRR briefly presented the highlights of research progress during 2019 under the AICRIP. About 300 scientists from various parts of the country participated in the Virtual 55th ARRGM.
