V R Babu appointed as IIRR Director

Dr Vemuri Ravindra Babu has been appointed the Director of Hyderabad-headquartered Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Babu, who assumed charge on November 9, hails from Nizamabad district of Telangana and served in various capacities at the IIRR, established in 1965, an IIRR statement said.
He has contributed immensely to agricultural research and is instrumental in development of several rice varieties and specialised in bio-fortification of rice, according to IIRR.
With the help of his scientist colleagues at IIRR, Babu is chalking out strategies for stepping up rice production and working on issues surrounding challenges arising out of water, climate change and labour-related issues, it said.