23 November 2020, Karnataka, India

Dr. Gururaj Kulkarni, Director of the IRRI Bio-Innovation Center (IBC), had a formal meeting with top officials of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UASB) to present areas for research collaboration through the institute's public-private partnership program.

Present at the meeting were Dr. Rajendra Prasad S., Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, GKVK Bangalore; Dr. Y.G. Shadakshari, Director of Research, GKVK, Bangalore; Sri. Dayanand, Hon’ble Member, Board of Management, MOA Representative; Dr. Niranjanmurthy. Associate Director of Research (HQ), GKVK Bangalore; and Dr. H.C. Lohithaswa, Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding), GKVK Bangalore

Dr. Kulkarni presented the scope for partnership of UASB with IRRI for research innovations in rice research under the Bio-Innovation Center Initiative and bilateral partnership. He proposed the following five areas for collaboration and presented them in the meeting.

OBJECTIVE 1. DEVELOPING EXTRAPOLATION DOMAIN OF CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR EFFICIENT TARGETING OF TECHNOLOGIES IN LOW PRODUCTIVITY RICE FALLOWS AND STRESS PRONE AREAS.

I. Stress mapping of rice cultivation areas

Ii. Remote sensing for flood mapping

Iii. Crop monitoring and insurance support

Iv. Characterization of existing cropping systems and cultivars

OBJECTIVE 2. STRENGTHENING SEED SYSTEMS AND ADOPTION OF HIGH YIELDING STRESS-TOLERANT RICE VARIETIES. ENHANCING THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES OF THE RICE CULTIVARS AND IMPROVE VALUE CHAIN.

I. Flood / drought/ salt tolerant rice varieties

Ii. Nutrition and grain quality

Iii. Direct seeded rice

Iv. Hybridization

OBJECTIVE 3. INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY AND RESOURCE-USE EFFICIENCIES OF RICE BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS IN KARNATAKA THROUGH IMPROVED CROP AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND SCALE APPROPRIATE MECHANIZATION

I. Improve the biotic and abiotic stress tolerance

Ii. Resource efficient crop establishment methods

Iii. Improve the agronomic parameters (fertilizer, water, pest & weed management)

Iv. Better integrated pest management

OBJECTIVE 4. DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE MATERIALS, FOSTERING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS (PUBLIC, PRIVATE & DEVELOPMENTAL PARTNERS) OF EXTENSION FUNCTIONARIES IN KARNATAKA.

I. Visit to global HQ and visit new technology advancements

Ii. Exposure visits/learning tours to other IRRI sites

Iii. Training of trainers

Iv. Establishing ‘Karnataka rice knowledge bank’

V. RKB – www.rkbkarnataka.in (proposal)

OBJECTIVE 5. ENHANCING POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT BY INTRODUCING IMPROVED PRACTICES INCLUDING MECHANIZATION AND A SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO REDUCE LOSSES, INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY AND IMPROVE VALUE-CHAIN.

I. Solar dryers

Ii. Cacoon storages

Iii. Machineries

Iv. Milling process

After thorough discussion it was resolved to establish collaborations in following areas.

1. Breeding for Drought/salt tolerant varieties (Abiotic stresses)

2. Nutrition and grain quality

3. Direct seeded rice (DSR)

4. Improve the agronomic parameters (fertilizer, water, pest & weed management)

5. Better integrated pest /Disease management (biotic stresses)

6. Visit to global HQ and visit new technology advancements

7. Exposure visits/learning tours to other IRRI sites

8. Training of trainers

It has also been decided to have another meeting with rice researchers from ZARS VC Farm Mandya at the earliest to specifically identify the research areas for the partnership with IRRI in the near future.