Hyderabad, May 6 (PTI) ICAR Director General Mangi Lal Jat on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for a speed breeding facility worth Rs 12 crore and inaugurated a modern seed godown built at Rs 1.6 crore here.
The facilities are aimed at accelerating the development of improved rice varieties with higher yield potential, climate resilience, and stress tolerance, a press release said.
The speed breeding facility is expected to significantly shorten crop breeding cycles, while the modern seed godown will support safe storage and timely distribution of quality seeds.
Addressing the gathering, Jat, who also serves as Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), appreciated ICAR-IIRR for its scientific contributions to rice research and said the new infrastructure marks an important step toward integrating advanced research with efficient seed systems.
He said the speed breeding facility would accelerate innovation in rice improvement, while the seed godown would strengthen the availability of quality seeds for farmers.
He further emphasised that such initiatives are vital for promoting climate-resilient agriculture, enhancing productivity, and ensuring nutritional security.
Strengthening research and seed systems, he said, is essential for realising the vision of Viksit Krishi for Viksit Bharat. (Developed Agriculture for a Developed India.) Later, Jat interacted with the scientific, technical, and administrative staff of the institute and appreciated their contributions to advancing rice research in the country.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences) D K Yadava and ICAR-IIRR Director R M Sundaram also spoke on the occasion. PTI VVK SSK
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