President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the 2nd Indian Rice Congress at the National Rice Research Institute in Cuttack, Odisha. The Governor of Odisha, Shri Ganeshi Lal, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Fisheries and Animal Resource Development, Odisha, Shri Ranendra Pratap Swain were present on the occasion. NRRI has developed India's first high protein rice variety - CCR Paddy 310. In addition, NRRI has also released a high yielding rice variety called CR Dhan 315.
Rice is the basis of our food security today, so its nutritional aspects should also be considered. Providing protein, vitamins and essential micronutrients through rice can help combat malnutrition. Due to this institution, today India is the leading consumer and exporter of rice, but when the country became independent, the situation was different, in those days we were dependent on imports to meet our food needs.
As irrigation facilities expanded in the last century, rice was grown in new places and new consumers emerged. Paddy crop requires large amount of water, but many parts of the world are facing severe water scarcity due to climate change.
Lingaraj Temple
President Draupadi Murmu, during his visit to Odisha, offered prayers at the famous 11th century Sri Lingaraj temple here. The President reached the temple with daughter Itishree Murmu amid tight security. During this, a huge crowd had gathered outside to get a glimpse of him. Murmu stayed in the temple for about 40 minutes. During this, Governor Ganeshi Lal was also present with him.
Main Point
- The President said that as the system expanded in the last century, new rice products became available and new consumers were created for it. Rice cultivation requires large amounts of water, but many parts of the world are facing severe water scarcity due to climate change.
- Rice has expanded into new areas, but there are many places where traditional vegetation is facing challenges. In such a situation, our task today is to find a middle way, that is, to save the traditional partnership on the one hand and maintain the ecological balance on the other.
- In addition, another challenge is to protect the soil from excessive use of chemicals, which are considered essential for modern rice cultivation. We need to reduce such directives to keep our soil healthy. He believed that scientists are working on developing an eco-friendly rice production system.
- The President said that since rice is the basis of our food security, we should also consider the food we eat from it. A large proportion of low-income people depend on rice, which is usually their only source of daily nutrition.
- Providing protein, vitamins and essential micronutrients through rice can help address malnutrition.