The Rs 12 crore facility at the ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research will help scientists rapidly develop climate-resilient and nutrient-rich rice varieties using advanced speed breeding technology

Indian Council of Agricultural Research has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Speed Breeding Facility at the ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research in Hyderabad, marking a major step in India’s efforts to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and long-term food security.

Developed with an investment of Rs 12 crore, the facility is designed to significantly reduce the time required to develop next-generation rice varieties capable of withstanding climate stress while improving productivity and nutritional value.

The facility was inaugurated by Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who also opened a modern seed storage warehouse built at a cost of Rs 1.6 crore. Officials described the two projects as key additions to India’s expanding technology-driven and climate-smart agriculture ecosystem.

Traditionally, the development of a new rice variety can take nearly a decade due to seasonal crop cycles and lengthy field evaluation processes. The new speed breeding system uses controlled environmental conditions — including temperature, humidity and artificial lighting — to accelerate plant growth, enabling multiple crop generations within a single year.

Scientists said the technology will help researchers rapidly develop high-yielding, drought-tolerant, heat-resistant and nutrient-rich rice varieties, particularly at a time when Indian agriculture is increasingly confronting irregular rainfall, rising temperatures and water stress linked to climate change. The newly inaugurated seed storage warehouse is expected to strengthen seed quality management and improve the scientific preservation of germination capacity, supporting the timely availability of quality seeds for farmers.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Mangi Lal Jat said achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” would require a strong innovation-led agricultural sector driven by continuous research in climate-resilient and nutritionally superior crops.

The programme was attended by Dr. D.K. Yadav, Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research; Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Director of the ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research; along with scientists, technical experts and administrative officials from the rice research ecosystem.

During his interaction with researchers, Dr. Jat highlighted the critical role of advanced rice research in strengthening India’s future food and nutritional security amid evolving climatic and agricultural challenges.