CSIR-CCMB’s Third Annex Campus at Bommaipalli Focuses on Farmers
CSIR-CCMB’s new Bommaipalli campus in Telangana hosted a scientist-farmer meet, distributing improved rice seeds to over 150 farmers. Developed jointly with ICAR-IIRR, these climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties aim to promote sustainable agriculture and farmer welfare.
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The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad has now a functioning Annex III campus at Bommaipalli village in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana.
The National Laboratory currently has 50 acres. It uses part of the land for growing Super Rice varieties. These are various different rice varieties that are more resistant to infections and parasites as well as to high salinity and low phosphorus in soil.
For a first, CSIR-CCMB organised a Scientist Meet and Seed Distribution Programme for farmers at this new facility. More than 150 farmers, district administration, agricultural officials, local representatives, and over 100 CCMB scientists, administrators and officials attended the gathering.
The programme brought together the community to promote the adoption of scientifically improved, high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties.
The programme was attended by Dr. Vinay K. Nandicoori, Director, CSIR-CCMB; Mr. A. Bhaskar Rao, IAS, Additional Collector; Mr. Ramana Reddy, District Agriculture Officer and others.
Dr. Vinay Nandicoori noted that the expansion of scientific and research activities at the campus could create new opportunities in and around Bhongir, contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.
Focus on Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Addressing the gathering, Mr. A. Bhaskar Rao emphasised the importance of sustainable agriculture and the adoption of crop varieties capable of withstanding changing climatic conditions.
He highlighted the need to promote climate-resilient, high-yielding and diabetic-friendly crop varieties developed through scientific research. He urged farmers to adopt these improved varieties and benefit from advances in agricultural science.
A growing CSIR-CCMB and ICAR-IIRR Collaboration
Dr. Hitendra K. Patel, Chief Scientist, CSIR-CCMB, explained that the rice varieties are jointly developed with ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR). He highlighted the characteristics and potential benefits of these varieties especially for a diabetes-prone population.
He also emphasised the importance of translating scientific research into technologies and products that directly benefit farmers.
Seeds Distributed to More Than 150 Farmers
As part of the programme, rice seeds jointly developed by CSIR-CCMB and ICAR-IIRR were distributed to more than 150 farmers. The initiative aims to facilitate field-level adoption of improved varieties and strengthen the connection between scientific research and the farming community.
The programme provided an important platform for direct interaction between farmers and scientists, enabling farmers to understand the potential of new crop varieties while providing scientists with an opportunity to learn about the practical needs and challenges faced by the farming community.
