Varanasi: To promote cooperation in research and development works related to rice genetic resources, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR). According to the ICAR spokesperson, the LoI was signed by IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi director Sudhanshu Singh and ICAR-NBPGR director Gyanendra Pratap Singh at an event organized at IRRI India office, New Delhi.The LoI has been signed to promote cooperation in research and development work related to rice genetic resources within the purview of the existing MoU between ICAR and IRRI of 1974. Additionally, it aligns with the IRRI - ICAR work plan signed by Director Generals of the respective organizations on April 19 for the period from 2023 to 2027. Gyanendra Pratap Singh said, Under the work plan signed in April this year, NBPGR and IRRI have come together with common objectives to promote and accelerate progress in the joint evaluation of Indian rice germplasm for high-value traits and major agronomic attributes. I hope this agreement will also facilitate international academic and research linkages, and provide mutual support for access to research and training in various disciplines of agricultural research.Through this LoI, IRRI and ICAR have agreed to promote cooperation on joint evaluation of Indian rice germplasm for nutritional traits and major agronomic attributes, mutual exchange of high-value rice germplasm including specialty rice, capacity building and sharing laboratory and field facilities, and development and implementation of collaborative research projects as per the mutually agreed areas.Representing IRRI, Sudhanshu Singh explained, The LoI will surely deepen our existing relationship with ICAR. ISARC is actively engaged in the development of grain and nutritional quality profiles of high-quality traditional rice, nutritional quality improvement in rice, research in low glycemic index rice, heavy metal contamination, rice value chain aspects, and rice-based product development. I am confident that todays agreement will help both organizations to venture into new possibilities and opportunities to boost research and development of rice germplasm augmentation and utilization in India.We also published the following articles recentlyChhattisgarh: Congress fails to rice to the occasionThe Congress government in Chhattisgarh hoped to gain support through higher paddy procurement prices and rural welfare schemes. However, the BJP, led by PM Modi, promised to purchase all gains produced by farmers under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and offered to procure more quintals per acre than the Congress. Despite the Baghel government fulfilling its promise of Rs 2,500 per quintal and pledging Rs 3,200 per quintal in the current election, the BJPs narrative and promises overshadowed the Congresss efforts.Nambie Jessica Maraks mastery over black rice impresses Chef Vikas KhannaNambie Jessica Marak impresses judge Vikas Khanna with her black rice dish in MasterChef India. Home cooks compete to secure a spot in the Top 5 by creating a dish with their audition ingredient. During the challenge, Nambie presents Noir, a Black Rice Crepe with Red Bean Paste, Pitha Icing, and Strawberry Coconut Sauce. Chef Vikas Khanna praises Nambies mastery and artistic presentation, capturing a picture of her creation. Nambie expresses her elation at being recognized by a chef of Vikas Khannas caliber.Cooperative export body NCEL gets nod to export 14.92 lakh tones non-basmati rice, 50k tonnes sugar: Amit ShahThe newly set up cooperative export body National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL) has received permission to export 14,92,800 tonnes of non-Basmati rice to 16 countries and 50,000 tonnes of sugar to two countries. NCEL, registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, aims to double its revenue by 2025. It has received 2,581 membership applications from 22 states and Union Territories. NCEL will promote exports of agricultural commodities and provide a complete ecosystem for the benefit of farmers. It will focus on accessing wider markets and increasing the demand for Indian cooperative products/services globally.

Stay updated with all the Varanasi Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.