Jain Irrigation, IRRI tie up research on micro irrigation for rice paddy

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd (JISL), one of the world's largest manufacturers of micro-irrigation products, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for collaborative research and adaptive field trials on paddy using micro irrigation.

Drip Irrigation Systems

JISL and IRRI will jointly conduct research to determine whether and how drip irrigation can be used in rice paddies to improve water-use efficiency and maintain yields, the company said in a release.

Jain Irrigation said it would closely work with IRRI's scientists to determine optimal irrigation and `fertigation' systems for irrigated rice and wheat.

Under the MoU, JISL and IRRI will study the relevance of different irrigation and fertiliser delivery systems for rice cultivation in India and other south Asian countries wherever IRRI is planning research or adaptive trials.

"It brings great honour to us to work with IRRI for providing drip irrigation to enhance the cultivation of rice, our staple food. We have consistently developed micro irrigation systems for multiple crops and have been successful in providing customised drip irrigation solutions across India and abroad," Atul Jain, director-marketing, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, said.

"With IRRI, we strive to bring a transformation in the way rice is being cultivated now. I thank IRRI for their support in conducting research with our dedicated team consisting of the largest pool of talented agricultural scientists, engineers and technicians in the private sector," he added.