Singh Deo Champions Agri‑Innovation at ISARC Varanasi
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 South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi on August 20.
The delegation toured advanced facilities including speed breeding labs, varietal cafeterias, mechanisation and post‑harvest units, drone demonstration plots, and regenerative agriculture zones.
Singh Deo also interacted with scientists at the Geospatial Lab, Plant & Soil Lab, and the NABL‑accredited Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA).
Praising IRRI’s work, Singh Deo stressed the importance of flood‑resistant and short‑duration crop varieties to strengthen Odisha’s farming resilience.
He reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to collaborate with IRRI in promoting sustainable rice‑based agri‑food systems.
ISARC Director Dr Vikas Kumar Singh and IRRI India Country Manager Dr Swati Nayak welcomed the delegation, highlighting ongoing collaborations with Odisha and South Asia.
The visit underscored the role of policy‑research partnerships in driving innovation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable agricultural development.
