President asks scientists to develop bio-fortified rice

Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday called upon scientists to develop eco-friendly rice production systems and develop bio-fortified rice varieties to support the increasing population amid the change in climate. Addressing the Indian Rice Congress (IRC) at ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack, on Saturday, she said, “Droughts, floods and cyclones are more frequent now, making rice cultivation vulnerable. She said though rice has broken new grounds, there are places where traditional varieties are facing challenges. Thus, the task before us today is to find the middle path — preserving and conserving traditional varieties as well as maintaining ecological balance,” said Murmu.Expressing concern over saving the soil from excessive use of chemical fertilizers, she said, “We need to reduce our dependency on fertilizers to keep our soil healthy. I am confident our scientists are at work to devise eco-friendly rice production systems.” President Murmu mentioned India’s first high protein rice, CR Dhan 310, developed by ICAR-NRRI, which will help in improving the country’s overall nutrition profile and a high-zinc rice variety called CR Dhan 315.“Development of such bio-fortified varieties is an ideal example of science in the service of society. More and more of such efforts are required,” she said.