64th Foundation Day of CRRI
The institute celebrated its 64th Foundation Day on 23 April 2010 at the Campus. Dr. Damodar Rout, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Co-operation, Fishery and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Orissa, inaugurated the function as the Chief Guest. Dr. T.K. Adhya, Director, CRRI provided the detailed information about the achievements of the institute. In this occasion the Chief Guest released three technology bulletins in Oriya language on “Sahbhagidhan”, “Rice Crop Calendar” and “Botanical pesticides” and awarded the identified progressive farmers of the state for their adoption of innovative rice farming practices. In his address Hon’ble Minister spoke elaborately the socio-economic constraints of the farmers’ of Orissa, dwindling land resources and constraints in implementation of agricultural programme of the state, also provided the detailed picture of the state agriculture policy on seeds, horticulture, integrated farming system and institutional credit for the farmers. While recollecting the program of the institute and the contribution of the institute for the development of agriculture in Orissa and India, he congratulated the Director and the scientists of the Institute and advised the farming community to make best use of the rice production technology and farming system model developed by the institute.

Media meet on newly introduced invasive weeds
Under the National Invasive weed surveillance program, a media meet on “Newly introduced invasive weeds” was held on 14 Dec 2009 at the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. Dr T.K. Adhya, Director briefed the activities of the program for early detection of newly introduced invasive weeds namely, Giant Rag Weed, Spiny Burr Grass, Hounds’ Tongue, Horse Neetle and European Field pansy. He also emphasized the role of media for creating public awareness to prevent further spreading and also to build up community efforts in weed surveillance and management/ containment through public cooperation. Dr K.S. Rao, Principal Investigator and Dr Sanjoy Saha, Area Coordinator of the National Invasive weed surveillance program also interacted with the media and clarified their queries. Drs. G.J.N. Rao, Head of Crop Improvement, A. Prakash, Head Crop Protection and S.G. Sharma, Head BPES were also present. Reporters from local Oriya newspapers, the Times of India, the Indian Express, and the Telegraph as well as the representatives from AIR and local television News Channels were attended.

Prof M.J. Modayil, Member ASRB visited CRRI
Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi is planning to set up a system for conducting ARS Examination Online and CRRI, Cuttack has been identified as one of the centers to conduct such examinations. As part of preliminary assessment and to evaluate the facilities, Prof. M.J. Modayil, Member, ASRB visited CRRI on 11 Dec 2009, and expressed his satisfaction about the infrastructures available at CRRI to conduct such examinations. Prof. Modayil also visited experimental plots, research laboratories and Oryza museum of the institute. Addressing to the scientists, he appreciated the contributions of the CRRI to rice research.


DDG (Ag. Extn.) visits KVK, Santhapur
Dr K.D. Kokate, DDG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR visited the CRRI KVK at Santhapur on 4 Dec 2009. During his visit, Dr Kokate visited the KVK adopted village-Uchapada and inspected the Front-line demonstration on Beetal buck for genetic up-gradation of local goat and On-farm testing of duck. Dr T.K. Adhya, Director, CRRI explained about the benefits gained by farmers using CRRI technologies through KVK, Santhapur.

DDG also inaugurated "Women in Agriculture Day" function, where Dr S.S. Nanda, Dean Extension, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Dr T.K. Adhya, Director, CRRI and other dignitaries were also present.

Dr Kokate appreciated KVK's efforts in involving farmwomen in agricultural and allied discipline more productively and KVK's tremendous work for upliftment of SC/ST community.






Director-General, IRRI, Philippines visited CRRI
Dr R.S. Zeigler, Director-General, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines (IRRI), visited CRRI on 19 Nov 2009. During his visit, Dr Zeigler inaugurated the “Salinity Screening Facility” developed at the institute. Visiting to the research laboratories and experimental plots, he appreciated the well equipped research laboratories, well maintained experimental plots and the research facilities as well as the newly developed Oryza Museum. Addressing to the scientists, he valued the contributions of CRRI scientists in various aspects of rice research, especially CRRI-IRRI collaborative projects on “Germplasm Exchange, Genetic Enhancement/Biotechnology, Integrated Crop and Resource Management, Resource Conserving Technologies, Socio-economic and Gender Issue, Human Resource Development, Delivery of Knowledge and Technology (STRASA, CSISA).” He also emphasized to strengthen the collaboration in frontier areas like developing C₄ plant, incorporating genes responsible for tolerance to Drought and Salinity alongwith sub-1 gene.. He was accompanied by Dr S. Mohanty, Head Social Science, IRRI, Philippines.

CRRI Celebrated Dhan Diwas