61st Annual Rice Group Meetings (ARGM-2026) Held at ICAR–CRRI, Cuttack
The 61st Annual Rice Group Meetings (ARGM-2026) was organized from 17 to 20 April, 2026 at the ICAR–Central Rice Research Institute (ICAR–CRRI), Cuttack. The ARGM served as a premier national platform for the review and strategic planning of rice research activities under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice (AICRPR). The event brought together nearly 400 scientists, researchers, and stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on recent advancements, emerging challenges, and future strategies in rice research and development, thereby strengthening collaborative efforts in the rice research ecosystem.
The inaugural ceremony of the programme was held on 18 April, 2026, with Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest, under the chairpersonship of Dr. D.K. Yadava, DDG (Crop Science), ICAR, New Delhi, who joined the programme virtually. Dr. S.K. Pradhan, ADG (FFC), ICAR, New Delhi, and Dr. A.K. Singh, Former Director, ICAR–IARI, New Delhi, graced the occasion as Guests of Honour, adding further distinction to the event.
In his address, the Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, highlighted India’s remarkable progress in rice production and emphasized the development of two genome-edited rice varieties, which signify a major milestone in modern rice breeding. He further underscored the importance of identifying potential centres dedicated to specific research domains, promoting GI-tagged rice varieties, expanding comprehensive research programmes, and addressing critical challenges associated with hybrid rice research.
Dr. D.K. Yadava, DDG (Crop Science), expressed that rice production during the last year was encouraging, reflecting the positive impact of improved technologies and efficient crop management practices adopted across various rice-growing regions. Dr. A.K. Singh elaborated on the importance of genetic improvement of rice grains and outlined strategies to enhance rice productivity through the development of cost-effective seed technologies. He also highlighted the immense potential of utilizing fallow lands to increase rice cultivation and discussed advancements in both basmati and non-basmati rice cultivation systems. Dr. S.K. Pradhan, ADG (FFC), emphasized the critical role of genome-assisted breeding, the inclusion of diverse germplasm resources, and the strengthening of pre-breeding programmes to accelerate genetic improvement and ensure sustainable rice production.
Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Director, ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR–IIRR), highlighted the significance of collaborative research and institutional partnerships in advancing rice science. He also spoke on India’s rice production and export scenario, emphasizing that the country possesses one of the largest research networks in the world devoted to a single crop—rice. Furthermore, he outlined the major constraints in rice cultivation as perceived by farmers and stressed the urgent need to address field-level challenges through targeted research and effective extension services.
Dr. G.A.K. Kumar, Director, ICAR–CRRI, delivered his remarks by highlighting the institute’s significant contributions to rice research, technology development, and dissemination of improved cultivation practices that have strengthened rice production systems across the country.
The meeting was jointly organized by ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR–IIRR), Hyderabad; ICAR–Central Rice Research Institute (ICAR–CRRI), Cuttack; ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR–IARI), New Delhi; the Association of Rice Research Workers, Cuttack; and the Society for Advancement of Rice Research, Hyderabad. The programme was led under the able leadership of Organizing Chairpersons Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Director, ICAR–IIRR, and Dr. G.A.K. Kumar, Director, ICAR–CRRI. The Convenors included Dr. M.S. Prasad, Dr. M.B.B. Prasad Babu, Dr. S.V. Sai Prasad (ICAR–IIRR), Dr. Meera K. Kar (ICAR–CRRI), and Dr. S. Gopala Krishnan (ICAR–IARI), with valuable support from Co-Convenors Dr. A. Poonam, Dr. K. Chattopadhyay, Dr. S.K. Dash, and Dr. R.P. Sah, whose dedicated efforts ensured the smooth conduct of the event.
During the four-day programme, five major technical sessions were conducted, including the Breeder’s Group Meeting, Crop Production Group Meeting, Entomology Group Meeting, Pathology Group Meeting, and the Review of Research Results and Progress Report for 2025–26. These sessions facilitated in-depth discipline-wise discussions on research achievements, technological innovations, and future priorities, thereby paving the way for strengthening India’s rice research and development initiatives.
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