IRRI, UP govt ink MoU for climate-resilient rice systems

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on Tuesday signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh govt to provide technical support for scaling sustainable and climate-resilient rice-based cropping systems in the state.

This partnership will be implemented under Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agriculture Support Project (UPDASP). The project is a part of the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening Project (UPAGREES) initiative supported by the World Bank. The project aims to strengthen and transform rice-based systems in Eastern Uttar Pradesh into climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and high-performing rice-based production systems. The initiative will be a collaborative effort between UPDASP, IRRI, support organisations, national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) including SAUs and ICAR institutes, and other stakeholders. Low productivity in rice-based systems remains a major challenge in Eastern UP due to abiotic and biotic stresses, limited access to improved varieties, machinery, and inputs, suboptimal agronomic practices, and climate variability. The average rice yield in the 21 project districts is about 2.7 tonnes per hectare, well below Punjab’s 4.2 tonnes per hectare, while wheat yields also lag behind the national average.

“Through UP-AGREES, we aim to strengthen value chains, enhance productivity, and build a resilient agri-food economy that empowers farming communities across the eastern part of UP,” said Deepak Kumar, project coordinator UPDASP.

“Through this partnership under the UPAGREES initiative, we aim to integrate IRRI’s global expertise in research, scaling, and capacity development with scientific innovations and evidence-based solutions to strengthen rice-wheat based agri-food systems and enhance livelihoods across the state,” said Yvonne Pinto, Director General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

This MoU signing event was attended by Ravinder, principal secretary, department of Agriculture, Agriculture Education & Research, Anurag Yadav, principal secretary, IT & Electronics, Dept of IT & Electronics and Sudhanshu Singh, director of IRRI South Asia Regional Center. Vikram Patil – Co-PI; along with the UPDASP and IRRI teams.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.