IRRI, Uttarakhand Government Join Hands to Transform Specialty Rice Value Chains

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Government of Uttarakhand have joined forces to strengthen the state’s specialty rice value chains, with a new partnership aimed at improving productivity, profitability and livelihoods for smallholder farmers.

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) through the Uttarakhand Gramya Vikas Samiti (UGVS), which is implementing the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP) with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project focuses on increasing rural household incomes through sustainable and market-oriented agricultural development.

The partnership combines IRRI’s expertise in rice research and innovation with Uttarakhand’s efforts to promote inclusive rural development and strengthen market opportunities for farmers. A key role will be played by the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre’s Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (ISARC-CERVA), which works on developing research-based solutions for improving rice value chains.

Under the initiative, farmers will gain access to high-quality specialty and traditional rice varieties selected on the basis of data-driven evidence. The programme will also promote improved crop management practices, scientific seed production methods and post-harvest solutions tailored to the challenges of hilly regions.

Training programmes for trainers and farmers will form another important component of the collaboration, along with efforts to strengthen market linkages and improve access to value-added opportunities.

The partnership is expected to enhance Uttarakhand’s farm-to-market ecosystem for premium-quality, nutrient-rich and heirloom rice varieties. By linking research, innovation and value chain development, the initiative seeks to create new opportunities for farmers to increase the value of their produce and access wider markets.

At the same time, the programme aims to preserve and promote Uttarakhand’s rich heritage of specialty and traditional rice cultivation, while supporting more sustainable and profitable farming practices.

The MoA was signed by Dr. Swati Nayak, Scientist and Country Manager ad interim, IRRI India, and Jharna Kamthan, IAS, Project Director of REAP. The signing took place in the presence of IRRI and REAP teams, including IRRI lead researchers Dr. Saurabh Badoni and Dr. Vikram Patil.

The collaboration brings together research expertise, agricultural innovation and market opportunities to strengthen Uttarakhand’s specialty rice sector. The initiative is expected to support the development of more resilient and sustainable value chains while helping smallholder farmers improve their incomes and livelihoods.