International Hybrid Rice Seed Production Training Course 22-24th October, 2019 at PJTSAU, Hyderabad
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University has organized an International Hybrid Rice Seed Production Training Course jointly with International Rice Research Institute, Philippines from 22-24th October, 2019 at Conference Hall, Cost of Cultivation Scheme, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.
Objectives of the training course
- To take the training course to the target region itself.
- To train the trainers for hybrid rice seed production (HRSP)
- To train the select seed growers both from public and private sector on HRSP
- To identify a critical mass of HRSP trainees/agencies (public & private) that will be required for to upscale the seed production.
Keeping in view the importance of Telangana state as seed hub of hybrid seed production more particularly hybrid rice, an international training course was conducted at PJTSAU, Hyderabad. The international training course was inaugurated on 22nd October by Dr. T. Pradeep, Director of Research, PJTSAU. Padmasri Prof. E.A. Siddiq, Father of Hybrid Rice Research in India, Hon’ble Member, Board of Management, PJTSAU attended as chief guest and opined that huge potential exists for hybrid rice in India particularly in Telangana. The training course was aimed at imparting knowledge on basic aspects of recent implementable technologies in hybrid rice seed production. The participants trained on recent advances in reducing the cost of production and increasing the yield of hybrid seed. Dr. Changxiang Mao, one of the resource person, is a Senior Hybrid Rice Breeder from China delivered lectures on various technical operations involved in hybrid rice seed production quoting practical experiences. Dr. Jauhar Ali, Hybrid Rice Breeder, IRRI, Philippines was the coarse director for the training programme and explained about the availability of highly heterotic hybrids suiting to the requirements of India and more particularly to Telangana state. Training course was scheduled with practical components like staggered sowing, transplanting A, B and R lines, rogueing, stages of panicle development, adjustment techniques for synchronized flowering, pollen studies, supplementary pollination, harvesting etc. Participants were also enlightened about improved crop production and protection technologies. Practical sessions were conducted on 23rd October, 2019 at Rice Research Centre, ARI, Rajendranagar. Harvesting operation of A and R lines was demonstrated at Indian Institute of Rice Research, Rajendranagar. Scientists from PJTSAU, ICAR-IIRR and seed company managers having vast experience in the field of hybrid rice delivered lectures to the trainees. The training course was successfully organized and met the objectives of the programme. Twelve participants representing the countries viz., USA, Philippines, Bangladesh and India comprising of scientists from different Universities and Seed industries participated in the programme. Valedictory function was held on 24th October, 2019 afternoon and Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, PJTSAU, Dr. V. Praveen Rao garu graced the occasion with Dr. T. Pradeep, Director of Research, PJTSAU and Dr. Guru Raj Katti, Director, ICAR-IIRR. Dr. V. Praveen Rao emphasized that hybrid rice would be the potential alternative to break the yield plateau in rice. He also emphasized that it would be high time to have a Technology mission on Hybrid Rice and intensify the research to develop and popularize high yielding hybrids suiting to the requirements of farmers, traders and consumers of India. He also made a mention on training of the rural youth in the field of hybrid rice seed production which would certainly improve the seed yields besides creating employment and breaking the barrier of hybrid seed availability.
