Bhubaneswar, March 24: A group of 15 senior journalists from Uttarakhand, accompanied by officials from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), visited the ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack to explore its cutting-edge research and technological advancements in rice cultivation.
The visit began with a warm welcome address by Dr. Pratap Bhattacharya, Director of ICAR-CRRI. He presented an overview of the institute’s key mandates and notable achievements. CRRI has successfully developed 194 rice varieties, including stress-tolerant and biofortified types, which now account for over 22% of India’s rice-growing area, yielding significant economic benefits.
The delegation was introduced to a range of groundbreaking innovations, including genome editing tools (TnpB), technologies for straw reuse, AI-powered precision agriculture techniques, drone applications, and the RiceXpert advisory platform. Additionally, CRRI’s advancements in low glycaemic index rice, methane-reducing methanotroph formulations, and nitrogen-efficient technologies were also showcased.
An engaging interactive session allowed the journalists to raise questions on topics such as climate-resilient agriculture, organic farming, and GI-tagged rice. The delegation also had the opportunity to tour the institute's state-of-the-art laboratories and research fields, gaining valuable insights into the ongoing projects.
This visit enhanced awareness of CRRI’s vital contributions to agricultural research and fostered stronger media ties, ensuring more effective communication of agricultural innovations to the farming community.
