THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 12, 2026

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha, organized a two-day national workshop on “Positioning and Scaling Healthier Rice in Odisha’s Agri-Food System” on January 12–13, 2026, in Bhubaneswar.

The workshop brought together policymakers, scientists, seed system experts, private-sector leaders, farmer organizations, and development partners to develop a clear and actionable roadmap for mainstreaming specialty rice — including high-zinc, iron-rich, protein-rich, and low-glycemic-index (GI) varieties — across Odisha and the rest of India.

With rising consumer awareness and demand for nutritious, health-supportive staple foods, specialty rice varieties are emerging as a transformative solution that combines improved nutrition, climate resilience, and higher farmer incomes. Odisha, producing nearly 11 million tonnes of paddy annually, backed by a robust scientific ecosystem and proactive state support, has positioned itself as a frontrunner in this transition. The state’s progress has been driven by participatory varietal selection, on-farm trials, community seed multiplication, and value-chain development initiatives undertaken in partnership with IRRI and other institutions.

The inaugural session featured senior leadership from IRRI, ICAR institutions, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), and the Government of Odisha. Over the two days, participants engaged in high-level panel discussions and technical sessions focusing on recent advances in biofortified and low-GI rice, strategies for seed scaling, branding and market integration, and the inclusion of healthier rice in public food, nutrition, and procurement programs.

According to Dr Swati Nayak, Scientist and South Asia Lead for Seed Systems at IRRI, the workshop delivered a practical roadmap for scaling specialty rice, along with policy recommendations, a seed scaling plan, and a market development framework to support sustainable adoption. Strengthening collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, seed corporations, private players, and farmer institutions emerged as a key outcome of the deliberations, reinforcing Odisha’s leadership in advancing healthier and more resilient food systems.