Our Correspondent
Bommaipalli (Telangana): The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) has launched a farmer-focused initiative at its Annex III campus in Bommaipalli village of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, distributing improved rice seeds to more than 150 farmers to promote climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.
The 50-acre campus, part of CSIR-CCMB’s expansion, has dedicated a portion of its land to cultivating Super Rice varieties developed jointly with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR). These varieties are designed to withstand infections, pests, high soil salinity and low phosphorus levels, besides offering improved productivity.
The first Scientist Meet and Seed Distribution Programme at the facility brought together farmers, district administration officials, agricultural officers, local representatives and more than 100 CSIR-CCMB scientists and staff.
CSIR-CCMB Director Vinay K. Nandicoori thanked the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district administration for facilitating the transfer of land ownership to the institution. He said the Bommaipalli campus would play an important role in expanding the organisation’s scientific and research activities, creating opportunities around Bhongir and contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.
Additional Collector A. Bhaskar Rao stressed the need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and crop varieties capable of withstanding changing climatic conditions. He urged farmers to benefit from scientifically developed, high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties, including rice varieties with potential benefits for people concerned about diabetes.
District Agriculture Officer Ramana Reddy addressed farmers’ queries about the improved varieties and assured them of the district administration’s support in facilitating the procurement of their produce. Administrative Officer and RDO Upendar Reddy called for closer collaboration between scientists and farmers to develop solutions to agricultural challenges.
CSIR-CCMB Chief Scientist Hitendra K. Patel explained the features of the rice varieties developed in collaboration with ICAR-IIRR, highlighting the importance of translating scientific research into practical technologies that benefit farmers.
Chief Scientist Mohammed Idris, a key member of the team developing the Bommaipalli campus, thanked district administration and agricultural officials for their continued support.
The initiative aims to strengthen direct engagement between researchers and farmers, encourage the adoption of improved crop varieties and promote higher productivity, sustainable livelihoods and science-led rural development in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district.
