United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
supports Indian Hybrid Rice Program in a big way

The academic, scattered and isolated efforts on development of hybrid rice in India were systematized and formed into a goal oriented and time bound National Network Project by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in December 1989. This project was further strengthened through generous financial support from the UNDP since September 1991. The financial support from the UNDP during first phase of the project, September 1991 to December 1996 was approximately 3.1 million US $ (Rupees 12 crores). This funding was utilized primarily for purchase of the needed equipments for 10 hybrid network centers, for training the hybrid rice breeders, seed production personnel and scientists from the allied disciplines at the centers of excellence in China, at IRRI, In U.S. and Japan. During the first phase, around 50 scientists and seed production personnel were trained abroad. The UNDP funds were also utilized for arranging the consultancy mission on hybrid rice breeding, seed production and allied disciplines. More than 15 consultancy missions were arranged during the first phase.

The second phase of UNDP assistance was given during the period June 1999 to June 2002. Emphasis during this phase is on transfer of technology activities. Large number of compact block frontline demonstrations of released hybrids and the training programmes are being conducted in the target states, besides consultancy missions and training overseas of selected seed production personnel from public sector seed agencies. It is also proposed to send few leading seed growers (farmers) from target states to China for training in hybrid rice seed production and cultivation. The total financial outlay from UNDP for the second phase is 2.55 million US $ (Rupees 10 crores). During the first phase assistance from the UNDP was instrumental in technology generation, while during the second phase, the assistance is very useful in technology transfer and popularization of the hybrid rice technology for large scale adoption.

Launching and hosting of this website on hybrid rice in India has been suggested and sponsored by the UNDP

Thus the contributions of the UNDP towards the hybrid rice program in India have been substantial and significant. We gratefully acknowledge the generous financial assistance provided by the UNDP for the development and popularization of hybrid rice in India.