Major Achievements

North Eastern Region of India possesses a rich diversity of Aromatic Rice (AR). An important programme emerged out of a brain storming meeting in twinning collaborative mode on “NER-Scented Rice” has been implemented in NER. Aromatic rice varieties are of high value both in terms of their unique and delicious edible medicinal properties. The aromatic rice of NER especially Joha and Black rice are of premium value because of their aroma and high medicinal characteristics. But these are also poor yielders and susceptible to pest attacks. Hence, innovative approach was adopted using biotechnological intervention to ameliorate the agronomic characteristics of this aromatic rice and other scientific properties besides yield enhancement. A similar kind of project in NER Banana on twinning mode has also been implemented recently in the regions. An amount of ₹16.67 crores has been sanctioned by DBT in the last year.