IRRI South Asia Regional Centre

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IRRI South Asia Regional Centre is a state-of-the-art scientific research facility that supports research collaboration, training, and service provision to institutions, scientists, and other stakeholders from South Asian and African nations

We are pleased to share that the Plant and Soil Laboratory at IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, has off...
14/10/2026

We are pleased to share that the Plant and Soil Laboratory at IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, has officially joined the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN), effective 7 October 2026.

For ISARC, this membership creates opportunities to exchange technical knowledge with laboratories worldwide and align its soil testing methods with internationally harmonized standards. This can improve the consistency and reliability of soil data used in agricultural research, helping researchers better assess soil conditions and inform sustainable crop management.

GLOSOLAN operates under the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Through this network, ISARC can learn from global laboratory practices and contribute to broader efforts to improve the quality and comparability of soil analysis.

Timely wheat sowing after rice harvest is essential to sustaining productivity and farm profitability. Zero-Tillage Whea...
13/10/2026

Timely wheat sowing after rice harvest is essential to sustaining productivity and farm profitability. Zero-Tillage Wheat (ZTW) and appropriate residue management can help farmers make better use of soil moisture, reduce tillage operations and provide an alternative to crop-residue burning.

To promote these practices, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), through CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact (S4I) initiative, collaborated with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to organize a two-day Training of Trainers at the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, on 8–9 October 2026.

The training brought together farmers, farm machinery service providers, Custom Hiring Centre operators and extension functionaries for hands-on learning in zero-tillage and residue-management technologies. Sessions also covered machinery operation, maintenance and service-based business opportunities to support wider adoption of sustainable mechanization practices.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh visited IRRI South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi on 5 Oc...
08/10/2026

Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh visited IRRI South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi on 5 October 2026 to learn about ongoing research, agricultural technologies, and field-based innovations at IRRI and discuss the progress of on-going project on natural farming in the Himachal Pradesh.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with the IRRI team on project activities and explored key facilities, including the Geospatial Lab, Computational Biology Lab, EdTech Studio, Plant & Soil Lab and Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) Labs hosted at ISARC.

The delegation also visited the research farm, witnessing Speed Breed Facility, Mechanization and Post-Harvest Unit, DSR experiments, Varietal Cafeteria and Natural Resource Management plots.

The visit concluded with technical discussions and interaction with research leads, facilitating knowledge exchange on rice research, agricultural technologies and sustainable farming practices.

On 5 October, IRRI hosted 173 final-year BSc Agriculture students at ISARC. Students from the Agricultural College and R...
07/10/2026

On 5 October, IRRI hosted 173 final-year BSc Agriculture students at ISARC. Students from the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), joined this learning visit as part of their All-India Study Tour Program.

The students explored IRRI’s research, technologies, and innovations through guided visits to its laboratories and field facilities hosted at ISARC, including the Centres of Excellence in Rice Value Addition, Sustainable Agriculture, and Education, Innovation and Research for Development.

The visit gave students a closer look at how research and innovation are helping shape the future of sustainable agriculture.

IRRI, through its South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, showcased innovative rice technologies and agricultural ...
07/10/2026

IRRI, through its South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, showcased innovative rice technologies and agricultural solutions at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS), held from 25–29 September 2026 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

The showcase highlighted IRRI’s work in sustainable, climate-resilient and technology-driven rice production, featuring innovations designed to improve productivity, resource-use efficiency and farmers’ resilience.

The IRRI stall attracted various high-level dignitaries, policymakers, farmers, industry representatives and other stakeholders, providing an opportunity to showcase innovations and strengthen engagement around sustainable rice-based agricultural solutions.

IRRI congratulates the ICRISAT Centre of Excellence for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA) and the awardees ...
01/10/2026

IRRI congratulates the ICRISAT Centre of Excellence for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA) and the awardees of the ISSCA Global Awards on South-South Cooperation, recognized during Dryland Congress 2026.

The awards showcased the breadth of innovation emerging through South-South cooperation, with more than 80 institutions from over 30 countries sharing initiatives spanning crop improvement, digital innovation, gender and social inclusion, and other areas of agricultural development.

IRRI’s Dr. Swati Nayak served as a member of the award committee, contributing to the review of initiatives demonstrating how knowledge, technologies, and complementary capacities can be shared across countries to address common agricultural challenges.

As a founding member of ISSCA, IRRI is proud to support this platform for advancing science-driven cooperation and congratulates ISSCA and all the awardees for strengthening collaboration across the Global South.

Photo Credit: ICRISAT

On 25 September 2026, 25 scientists and professors from ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities visited IRRI...
29/09/2026

On 25 September 2026, 25 scientists and professors from ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities visited IRRI’s South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi to learn about research and approaches supporting climate-resilient seed systems and sustainable agriculture. The visit formed part of the ICAR Short Course on “Climate-Resilient Seed Systems for Sustainable Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh” at ICAR-NISST, Mau.

The visit featured a technical session on seed quality assurance for speed breeding, followed by tours of ISARC’s laboratories, including the GIS Lab, Computational Biology Lab, General Lab, CERVA Lab, and EdTech Studio. Participants also visited the speed breeding facility.

The program fostered knowledge exchange between IRRI, ICAR institutes, and State Agricultural Universities, highlighting research and innovations for climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.

In the media: Odisha collaborates with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in a major step to scale up cult...
16/09/2026

In the media: Odisha collaborates with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in a major step to scale up cultivation, value addition and commercialization of Kalajeera rice and other indigenous specialty varieties.

The initiative was discussed between Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo and IRRI’s delegation led by Principal Scientist Nese Sreenivasulu in Bhubaneswar. As part of the collaboration, IRRI will provide technical support to preserve the distinctive aroma, genetic purity, and quality of Odisha’s native specialty rice varieties, including Low-GI rice.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3SJXAKv

The World Bank and the Government of Uttar Pradesh reinforced their support for scaling sustainable and climate-resilien...
15/09/2026

The World Bank and the Government of Uttar Pradesh reinforced their support for scaling sustainable and climate-resilient rice innovations through the UP-AGREES project, during a recent visit to project innovation sites in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Supported by the World Bank Group and implemented through UPDASP in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, with IRRI as a knowledge partner, UP-AGREES is bringing together climate-resilient technologies, mechanization, digital and AI-enabled solutions, stronger farmer institutions, and improved market linkages.

During field visits, the delegation engaged directly with farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations, service providers, and private-sector partners to see these innovations in action, from Direct Seeded Rice and agricultural drones to GHG evidence generation, digital advisory services, improved seed systems, and opportunities around Kalanamak rice.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4ivAn9d

IRRI’s South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi welcomed Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Od...
08/09/2026

IRRI’s South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi welcomed Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, on August 20, showcasing research and innovations supporting more productive, resilient, and sustainable rice-based agri-food systems.

The visit featured speed breeding, direct-seeded rice, mechanization, drones, regenerative agriculture, and rice value addition, alongside discussions on strengthening IRRI and Odisha’s collaboration to bring innovations to farmers.

In Odisha, rice covers about 69% of the cultivated area, with small and marginal farmers accounting for about 93% of Odisha’s cultivators. Strengthening access to agricultural innovations can play an important role in supporting farmer livelihoods.

“Rice cannot be separated from India,” said Shri Singh Deo, emphasizing his appreciation for IRRI’s work and his interest in strengthening collaboration to support farmers and advance agricultural innovation in Odisha.

Read more: https://bit.ly/46EL9CL

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IRRI South Asia Regional Cent
Varanasi
221106

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Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

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