(a) whether the Government proposes to set up International Rice Research Institute to increase the yield of rice in Eastern States/Eastern Regions of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether special varieties of rice seeds are likely to be produced; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) & (b): There is no such proposal. However, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) has entered into an agreement with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to open a South Asia Regional Centre of IRRI. Accordingly, IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) has been established at Varanasi.
(c) The research efforts of National Agricultural Research System (NARS) comprising Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Central Agricultural Universities and State Agricultural Universities have led to the development of 258 high yielding stress tolerant varieties of rice which have been released and notified by Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops during last five years (2014 – 2018). For Eastern States, 33 varieties for Bihar, 15 varieties for Jharkhand, 57 varieties for Odisha and 33 varieties for West Bengal have been released during the same period with the aim to increase the productivity and production of rice.
Besides, NARS has also developed biofortified varieties viz. CR Dhan 310 (high protein), CR Dhan 311 (high protein & high zinc) and DRR Dhan 45, DRR Dhan 48, DRR Dhan 49 (all high zinc).
(d) Does not arise in view of reply to (c) above.
*******