Cabinet approves rice research institute for Varanasi

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional Center (ISARC) in Varanasi, which will work to develop special rice varieties.

It will be the first such international centre in eastern India and will play a major role in sustaining rice production in the region.

The ISARC will be established on the campus of the National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) in Varanasi.

"Under the proposal, a Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) will be set up in Varanasi. This will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw. The Centre will also undertake capacity building exercises for stakeholders across the rice value chain," read a release.

"It is expected to be a boon for food production and skill development in eastern India and similar ecologies in other South Asian and African countries," it said.

--IANS

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