Central Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan inaugurated the new facilities of ICAR‑IIAB in Ranchi via video conferencing.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) flagship research institute, Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB), Ranchi, inaugurated several new facilities, including a state‑of‑the‑art sequencing laboratory for genomics and transcriptomics, a high‑throughput bioinformatics centre, and tissue‑culture and protein‑expression platforms for plant disease management. These facilities aim to accelerate gene‑based improvement, disease resistance, and climate‑resilient crop development in Indian agriculture.

During the inauguration ceremony, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan participated via video conference and highlighted the significance of the new facilities. He said, “Technology‑based agricultural solutions will play a crucial role in improving the livelihoods of our farmers, and the development of such infrastructure will strengthen national food security.” He also congratulated the director and scientists of ICAR‑IIAB for their continued research and innovation.

This step is seen as a significant initiative to strengthen investment in agricultural biotechnology under the government’s “Advanced Agriculture” policy. Data and technical solutions derived from the new laboratories will aid the development of competitive agricultural products not only in India but also internationally. Thus, ICAR‑IIAB in Ranchi is becoming established as the country’s leading biotechnology hub, poised to make a vital contribution to sustainable agricultural progress in the future.