Chennai, July 12, 2017: MSSRF under the guidance of Prof Swaminathan and with support from the Government of India established a Rice BioPark in Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar in 2013, for the preparation and marketing of value added products from the rice biomass consisting of straw, bran, husk and grain. In this regard, nine  senior scientists from Myanmar visited MSSRF and met with Prof Swaminathan, Founder MSSRF and Dr V Selvam, the Executive Director MSSRF today. The team will be in India for a fortnight and visit MSSRF sites in Puducherry, for training on making value products from rice  biomass, which is currently wasted.

Prof Swaminathan had also suggested for setting up of an Advanced Centre for Agriculture Research and Education (ACARE). The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi is implementing ACARE, while MSSRF is implementing the establishment of the Rice BioPark.

Prof Swaminathan had established the first Rice BioPark at the International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos in 1985. By promoting the use of every part of the rice plant for preparing value added products, we could improve the income and prosperity of rice farm families, he said.  Linking Paddy and Prosperity would then become a reality, he added.

(MSSRF file pic: Prof Swaminathan at the Foundation Stone laying ceremony for the rice biopark at Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, Feb 2013)