CTRI Renamed as NIRCA to Boost India’s Commercial Agriculture

CTRI had been established in 1947 and became famous for inventing several branded and quality varieties of tobacco. Since its inception, CTRI has released 107 varieties / hybrids of tobacco, which are resistant to abiotic and biotic stresses, and have high yield potential, like flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco and non-FCV tobacco.

CTRI has supplied more than nine tonnes of pure seed annually for all types of tobacco grown in the country, meeting 90 per cent of the seed requirement of farmers.

CTRI director M. Seshu Madhav said in its new avatar, NIRCA will play a pivotal role in commercialising the agricultural vision of Viksit Bharat-2047 by bringing in multifaceted innovation and sustainability, leading to economic growth. He said NIRCA’s research and development will focus on developing high-yielding, disease resistant crop varieties tailored for commercial farming.

Seshu Madhav underlined that they will develop advanced techniques like precision farming, genetic engineering and climate-smart agriculture to disseminate climate resilient technologies, which will mitigate the impact of climate change on commercial agriculture. The institute will promote practices like integrated farming systems, capacity building and training, market linkages and commercialisation, and product diversification and export promotion, among others.

The CTRI director said an official conference of the NIRCA will be held at CTRI premises in Rajamahendravaram on January 21, with the union minister of state for mines B. Srinivasa Varma being the chief guest.