Will address climate change challenge: Expert

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) celebrated its foundation day on Sunday.

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Chief guest Dr Himanshu Pathak, the Secretary of Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE), and the Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), praised the achievements, particularly its contribution to increasing wheat production from 12.26 million tonnes in1965 to a record 113.29 million tonnes in 2024.

“The institute has played a crucial role in developing high-quality wheat and barley. So far, under the All-India Coordinated Research projects on wheat and barley 568 varieties and 107 barley varieties have been developed for the country,” he said.

The institute has ensured seed availability to the farmers by direct selling seeds or through public private partnership (PPP) mode, the DG said.

The institute, one of the country’s largest seed producers, supplies over 10,000 quintals of breeder seeds of wheat and barley annually. It supports around 20,000 farmers through online seed portals, ensuring the availability of improved wheat varieties such as DBW 187, DBW 303, DBW 327, DBW 327, DBW 370, DBW 371, and DBW 372, the DG maintained.

Similarly, in barley, it has produced DWRB 219 variety. The DG also inaugurated the postgraduate research laboratory and student mess.

Dr CH Sriniwas Rao, Director, IARI, New Delhi, was the guest of honour, also highlighted the achievements of the institute. Dr Dheer Singh, Director, ICAR-NDRI, also emphasised research advancements.

Dr Ratan Tiwari, Director, ICAR-IIWBR, highlighted the achievements of the institute and assured that they would work to address the challenges due to climate change. Meanwhile, an exhibition was also organised. Meanwhile, scientists and farmers were honoured. The foundation day also featured technical sessions on new wheat and barley varieties and disease management techniques.