Varanasi: A three-day training programme on “Speed Breeding: Addressing the Needs of Agri-Business, organised by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, concluded on Wednesday.The training brought together participants and experts from leading organizations, including Indo-American Hybrid Seeds, Mahyco Private Limited, Nuziveedu Seeds, ICRISAT, Punjab Agricultural University, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), and international representatives from Indonesia. The programme aimed to build capacity in advanced breeding techniques and improve efficiency in crop improvement programs. The training was inaugurated by Vikas Kumar Singh, interim director, ISARC, Anilyn Maningas, head, IRRI Education, and Joy K Roy, Scientist-G, BRIC-National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (formerly NABI & CIAB). The speakers emphasized the importance of speed breeding in accelerating crop development and addressing the growing demands of agriculture and agri-business. During the three days, participants attended technical sessions on speed breeding principles, infrastructure requirements for the development of Speed Breed facility, and emerging technologies. They also gained hands-on experience in operating equipment, managing environmental conditions such as light, temperature, and humidity, and applying rice protocols for seed multiplication and crossing in the lab. Special sessions focused on advanced topics such as genome editing, genomic selection, and integration of modern breeding tools with speed breeding. Participants also visited ISARC NABL accredited laboratories and facilities to understand real-time applications of these technologies. The training strongly emphasized practical learning through group exercises, field exposure, and interactive discussions, enabling participants to collaboratively design solutions and share experiences. Participants also presented their re-entry plans, outlining how they would apply the learnings within their respective organizations. The programme concluded with a closing ceremony graced by Prof B D Singh, former emeritus professor, BHU, Varanasi, whose presence added significance to the occasion. Participants shared positive feedback and appreciated the hands-on approach and expert guidance provided throughout the training.
