Himanta urges int’l institute to turn Assam into rice exporting state
Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged Philippines-based International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to help the state increase productivity and farmers income and develop Assam into a rice exporting state.
Sarma held discussions with a high-level team of IRRI, led by its director general
Jean Balie, to strengthen the partnership between IRRI and the Assam government here on Monday.
Sources said the key points of discussion were promotion of mechanisation in the state, strengthening of the seed system, introduction of high-yielding short duration and good grain quality rice varieties, specialty rice and value-added varieties focusing on characterisation of local land rice and high-quality rice varieties and their improvement. Low and ultra-low Gl rice varieties for domestic and export markets, and low amylose and good grain quality rice varieties, addressing yield gaps and capacity building were also discussed during the meeting.
“I am delighted to see the work being done by IRRI through the Assam
Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project. Yield gap is a major issue for rice farmers in the state and I would urge IRRI to work towards reducing this yield gap and increasing productivity and profitability for the farmers in Assam to transform rice-based agri-food system in the state,” said Sarma.
Jean Balie acknowledged the support received from the Assam government during the last four-and-a-half years of IRRI’s presence in Assam and said the collaboration remains the Wost effective way to catalyse solutions and bring about the changes the state needs. “We are committed to developing a science- based product to minimise the threats to global food instability.” he said.
Despite the state being self-sufficient in rice production, the export remains confined to a few selected varieties of premium quality rice.
