Latest news with #IRRI
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
New Delhi has chance to repay Green Revolution debt: Why doing so is in India's interest
It was William S Gaud, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), who coined the term 'Green Revolution'. In a speech delivered on March 8, 1968, Gaud delved on the 'paramount importance of the world food problem' and how countries such as India were addressing it through planting of high-yielding varieties of wheat. This development, he said, had the makings of a new revolution: 'It is not a violent Red Revolution like that of the Soviets…I call it the Green Revolution'. It's the same USAID that has been shut down by the Donald Trump administration from July 1. Among the institutions impacted by the closure of the agency — that oversaw civilian foreign aid and development assistance from the US government — is the Mexico-headquartered International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center or CIMMYT. Synonymous with the renowned agricultural scientist Norman Borlaug, CIMMYT bred the semi-dwarf varieties Lerma Rojo 64A, Sonora 63, Sonora 64 and Mayo 64 that Indian farmers first sowed in 1964-65. Over the next few years, these varieties spread to more countries, heralding Gaud's 'Green Revolution.' While CIMMYT originated from a Mexican government and Rockefeller Foundation-sponsored programme in the 1940s and 50s, USAID became its main funder. It accounted for about $83 million out of CIMMYT's total $211 million grant revenues received in 2024. With the USAID's dismantling, CIMMYT is now looking at India — one of its major beneficiaries — as a potentially significant benefactor. Cold War institutions CIMMYT is to wheat what the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) — established by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations in 1960 — has been to the other big cereal grain crop. Both were key to the US cultivating soft power and projecting a positive global image, more so during the Cold War. That was the time the US saw the Soviet Union as a threat, and believed that the deteriorating food situation in developing countries could foment political instability and eventual communist takeovers. Increasing cereal grain production in these countries, then, became a geopolitical imperative as part of US foreign policy. With Borlaug's varieties, Indian farmers could harvest 4-4.5 tonnes per hectare of wheat, as against 1-1.5 tonnes from the traditional tall cultivars prone to lodging (bending or falling over) when their earheads were heavy with well-filled grains. IRRI's semi-dwarf varieties, such as IR 8, IR 36 and IR 64, similarly boosted paddy (rice with husk) yields from 1-3 tonnes to 4.5-5 tonnes per hectare with minimal fertilisers, and 9-10 tonnes with higher application. Moreover, they matured in 110-130 days, compared with the 160-180 days (from seed to grain) for the traditional tall varieties. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1970. And it was fittingly for Peace. How India benefited The Green Revolution was seeded in India by CIMMYT and IRRI. Even the blockbuster wheat varieties Kalyan Sona and Sonalika, released for commercial cultivation by Indian scientists in 1967-68, were developed through selections from the progeny of advanced breeding material supplied by CIMMYT. Over time, Indian scientists, led by VS Mathur at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, came out with their own varieties, particularly HD 2285 in 1982 and HD 2329 in 1985. These raised wheat yields to 5-6 tonnes per hectare. It went up further to 7 tonnes-plus with HD 2967, which IARI scientists — mainly BS Malik, Rajbir Yadav and AP Sethi — unveiled in 2011. In rice, likewise, V Ramachandra Rao and MV Reddy at the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University developed the mega varieties Swarna (MTU 7029) and Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204), released in 1982 and 1986 respectively. IARI scientists like EA Siddiq, VP Singh and AK Singh also bred improved high-yielding basmati varieties, including Pusa Basmati 1 (released in 1989), 1121 (2003) and 1509 (2013). India exported 6.1 million tonnes of basmati rice valued at $5.94 billion (Rs 50,311.89 crore) in 2024-25. More than 90% of that was from IARI-bred varieties. Borlaug was once asked why the Green Revolution succeeded in India and not in most other developing countries, specifically Africa. He is said to have replied that it was because 'they didn't have institutions like IARI and scientists like MS Swaminathan'. The latter was instrumental in devising the overall strategy and implementation plan for the Green Revolution, with the full support of the then political leadership — from agriculture minister C Subramaniam to Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi. Significantly, IRRI's chief breeder Gurdev Singh Khush — his IR 36 and IR 64 varieties were planted in 10-11 million hectares (mh) each worldwide during the 1980s and 1990s respectively — was an Indian. So was Sanjaya Rajaram, appointed by Borlaug as head of CIMMYT's wheat breeding programme when he was just 29. The major varieties released during the 1990s in India — PBW 343, WH 542, Raj 3765 and PBW 373 — were all under his leadership. Why India still needs them The accompanying table shows that six out of the top 10 wheat varieties, accounting for over 20 mh out of the roughly 32 mh area sown by Indian farmers in 2024-25, were directly released from CIMMYT material. The only notable indigenously bred wheat variety in recent times has been HD 2967, which covered a record area of 12-14 mh at its peak in 2017-18 and 2018-19. But the varieties released since then are predominantly based on CIMMYT germplasm. CIMMYT and IRRI, to that extent, remain relevant to India, which has a vital stake in both institutions. With the US under Trump adopting a more transactional, if not coercive, approach to foreign policy, India has both scope and reason to step up funding of the global breeding research and development programme. In 2024, India contributed a mere $0.8 million to CIMMYT and $18.3 million to IRRI. 'We should give more, but it must be for basic and strategic research in areas such as identification of new genetic resources for heat and drought tolerance, nitrogen use efficiency traits, gene editing and use of artificial intelligence tools. And it should be collaborative, not at the expense of funding for our own national agricultural research system,' said Rajendra Singh Paroda, former director-general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Harish Damodaran is National Rural Affairs & Agriculture Editor of The Indian Express. A journalist with over 33 years of experience in agri-business and macroeconomic policy reporting and analysis, he has previously worked with the Press Trust of India (1991-94) and The Hindu Business Line (1994-2014). ... Read More
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Express view: Lend a hand
The Mexico-headquartered International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) — synonymous with Norman Borlaug, the 'father of the Green Revolution' — is seeking financial support from India. This comes as the Donald Trump administration has shut down the US Agency for International Development, which provided $83 million out of CIMMYT's total $211 million revenue grants to fund its global breeding research and development programme in the two cereal crops. CIMMYT basically wants countries such as India to fill the void left by the US that, under President Trump, has adopted a transactional approach to foreign policy; it no longer sees value in cultivating soft power or projecting a positive image of the US on the world stage. There are at least three reasons why India should consider stepping up its funding of CIMMYT, or even the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The first is that the money these organisations require isn't all that big. A country with $700 billion in official foreign exchange reserves can afford more than the $0.8 million and $18.3 million that it gave to CIMMYT and IRRI respectively in 2024. The second is the international goodwill this creates, consistent with the leadership role that India is increasingly taking within the Global South and given that it is also acting as a bridge with the developed North: There can be no peace and stability without food security. Third, India has stakes in both organisations that played a stellar role in turning it from ship-to-mouth to self-sufficient, if not surplus, in wheat and rice. But the challenge is to grow these crops using less water and fertiliser, besides making them tolerant to rising temperatures, salinity and other abiotic stresses. Breeding today for tomorrow's climate is a strategic imperative for a country that cannot, beyond a point, depend on others to feed 1.7 billion mouths by 2060. This extends to maize too. As Indians consume more animal products with rising incomes, the demand for it as feed — and now also as a fuel grain — will only go up. But it's not only CIMMYT and IRRI. India must simultaneously strengthen its national agricultural research system that has suffered from a lack of resources (too little money spread across too many institutes), leadership and sense of purpose. The Green Revolution owed its success as much to Borlaug as to MS Swaminathan, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and a minister like C Subramaniam, who could make tough calls based on scientific opinion and what the situation demanded. Contrast this with the present procrastination, whether on commercialisation of genetically modified crops or allowing under-pricing of fertilisers, water and electricity. The Indian farmer today faces practical problems that only science and applied research, not subsidies, can address.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
IRRI scientists work on sensor-based irrigation to boost water efficiency
Varanasi: Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) are conducting field-level research on sensor-based irrigation management to boost water efficiency in direct-seeded rice (DSR) cultivation. The research aims to enhance climate resilience in eastern Uttar Pradesh by assessing soil moisture dynamics, crop water requirements, and irrigation scheduling in DSR systems. A team of experts from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), including senior water scientist Anton Urfels, conducted a technical assessment in Paniyara village to study soil moisture dynamics under different irrigation regimes in direct-seeded rice (DSR) fields. The interdisciplinary team, comprising agronomists, GIS specialists, agricultural economists, and water scientists, aimed to identify critical soil moisture thresholds for timely and efficient irrigation. At the core of this research is the integration of in-field soil moisture sensors, automated water depth monitoring systems, and drone-based spatial mapping tools to collect high-resolution temporal and spatial datasets. These tools are being used to analyse moisture variability, crop response patterns, and water use efficiency at different crop stages. The research team is also evaluating how alternative irrigation intervals and timing affect both crop growth and soil health under direct seeding conditions. "A data-driven approach to irrigation management is critical for sustaining rice production in regions facing increasing water stress. Through the integration of advanced monitoring tools and site-specific research, IRRI is committed to delivering scalable solutions that not only conserve water, but also enhance productivity and climate resilience for smallholder farmers," said Sudhanshu, director, ISARC. He said that the findings from this research will contribute to a more refined understanding of water demand dynamics in DSR cultivation and help establish localised irrigation advisories. Ultimately, the goal is to enable the transition to climate-resilient, resource-efficient rice production systems across the region. Anton emphasised that a detailed understanding of spatial and temporal soil moisture variability is essential for building resilient irrigation strategies in water-scarce regions. It was further noted that when combined with geospatial analytics, sensor-based data can enable the development of location-specific protocols that improve irrigation efficiency and optimise resource use at scale.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
ISARC's new tractor to aid precise weeding of rice fields
1 2 Varanasi: Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute - South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) have developed a tractor-operated dry and wet land weeder that can be operated using narrow wheels on any tractor, ensuring rice plants remain undisturbed while enabling precise weeding. They conducted the first successful demonstration on Tuesday in farmers' direct-seeded rice (DSR) fields in Paniyara village of Varanasi district. According to IRRI scientist R K Malik, weed control using the newly developed tractor-operated weeder requires fitting the tractor with specially designed narrow wheels, ensuring safe operation between the rice rows. Spacing between the rows is maintained at 25cms during sowing. The weeder delivers optimal results when used 25 to 30 days after sowing, suppressing weed growth. The tractor can easily cover 1 acre land in approximately one hour. Being lightweight machinery, the machine removes weeds effectively even in low-moisture soils, saving labour and improving quality of the soil. The technology not only enhances efficiency and sustainability of DSR cultivation but also helps address the issue of limited labour availability. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo Additionally, IRRI scientist Rabe Yahaya explained that timely mechanical weeding provides effective weed control in DSR fields, reducing dependence on chemical herbicides and lowering overall cultivation costs. He said that because of climate change and irregular rainfall patterns, paddy farmers continue to face significant challenges. Traditional methods keep farmers dependent on monsoon and require excessive water and labour, resulting in higher production costs. In contrast, adopting direct-seeded rice techniques is helping farmers reduce input expenses and achieve better profitability. For Kharif 2025 season, ISARC conducted cluster demonstrations of DSR across more than 500 acres in eight districts of eastern UP. Weed management plays crucial role in success of direct-seeded rice farming. In the absence of proper weed management, excessive weed growth can negatively impact crop yields.
India Today
08-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Does rice really cause diabetes? An expert breaks the myth
There is a widespread belief that eating rice increases your risk of belief has grown stronger over time, especially in India, where rice is a daily staple for millions. But is this concern backed by science? To answer that, we spoke to Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, a senior agricultural scientist and former Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. With more than three decades of rice research and as someone living with diabetes himself, Dr Singh offers rare insights based on science and lived experience. advertisementUNDERSTANDING THE GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI)Dr Singh starts by explaining how different foods affect blood sugar through the Glycemic Index.'When we eat food, the sugar level in our blood increases. To measure this, scientists created the Glycemic Index, or GI. It divides foods into high, medium, and low GI categories based on how quickly they raise blood sugar.'High-GI foods cause blood sugar to rise foods raise blood sugar levels more slowly, keeping them more stable.'If the GI is above 55%, it is considered high GI, which can be between 55% and 80%. Some types of rice have GI below 55%, and others above it.'Not all rice behaves the same way in the human body. The type of rice you eat plays a big role.'The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has even developed types of rice with an ultra-low GI of under 45%.'These special varieties digest slowly and are more suitable for individuals with diabetes or those trying to manage their blood sugar YOU EAT RICE MAKES A DIFFERENCEThe impact of rice on blood sugar depends not only on the type, but also on how it is cooked and eaten.'If you eat rice with dal (lentils) in equal proportions, the GI value reduces.'This is because dal adds protein and fiber, both of which help slow down digestion.'This is very important for those who love rice to remember – adding a good amount of dal helps control blood sugar.'He also recommends brown rice as a healthier retains more fiber and nutrients compared to polished white rice.'Brown rice also has a low GI because it takes longer to get digested. The sugar releases into the system slowly, so the blood sugar level does not instantly go up.'Parboiled rice, also known as usna or sella rice, is another good option.'Parboiled rice also has low GI. And there is no harm in eating that.'REAL NUMBERS FROM RICE-EATING STATES Dr Singh refers to research published in The Lancet, a global journal of health research, to back up his claims with data.'It clearly shows that Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, all majorly have rice as a part of their food in all three meals. But the diabetes percentage in these states is less than 10%.'This challenges the idea that rice alone causes when you look at North Indian states like Punjab and Haryana, they majorly consume wheat or chapati and don't eat rice as much. Many people only make rice once a week or so. But the diabetes percentage in Punjab and Haryana is 12.4% and 12.7% respectively.'The numbers speak for themselves. If rice was the main cause, people who eat it more frequently should have higher diabetes rates.'So if rice was to blame, then the percentage in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha should have been higher.'GENES AND LIFESTYLE PLAY A BIGGER ROLEDr Singh emphasises that genetics and lifestyle are far more important when it comes to diabetes.'Diabetes is a genetic disease, and we carry these genes from our parents and pass them on to our children.'Having a family history of diabetes increases your risk, but it doesn't mean you are guaranteed to get it.'If we have that genetic sensitivity and we don't take care of our lifestyle, don't exercise, follow a sedentary lifestyle, then we will have high chances of getting diabetes.'However, living a healthy life can help lower those chances.'But if we maintain a proper lifestyle despite having the genetic sensitivity, then the chances are lesser.'Dr Singh sums it up simply.'To solely blame rice for this would not be right.'Avoiding rice completely is unnecessary. Choosing healthier rice varieties, eating balanced meals, and staying physically active can help prevent diabetes without giving up the food you love.- EndsMust Watch
