NEW DELHI, September 16, 2026 – Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated a state-of-the-art agricultural research facility named SPROUT (SpeedSeed Phenotyping and Resource Optimization for Unified Trait Analysis) at the BRIC-National Institute of Plant Genome Research (BRIC-NIPGR) in New Delhi on Tuesday. Unveiling the indigenous infrastructure, Dr. Singh described it as a critical asset for developing climate-resilient crops that can thrive across India’s diverse geographical and agro-climatic zones. The launch event was attended by prominent scientists and officials, including BRIC-NIPGR Director Prof. Manoj Prasad, Dr. Senthil K. Muthappa, and DBT Scientist-H Dr. Nitin Jain. During the visit, the Union Minister also participated in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign by planting a sapling on the institute’s premises.
The newly inaugurated SPROUT centre is a season-independent, controlled-environment facility specifically engineered for high-throughput phenotyping, precision stress screening, and the advanced evaluation of germplasm, mutants, and genome-edited lines. Initially placing a major focus on chickpea crops, the facility will seamlessly connect recent breakthroughs in genomics and gene editing with precise trait evaluation and accelerated breeding programs. Highlighting its significance in the era of rapidly changing weather patterns, Dr. Singh stated that modern biotechnology must increasingly be translated into tangible technologies that respond to real-world agricultural challenges and directly benefit the farming community. He noted that integrating these scientific advances will substantially shorten the journey from gene discovery to successful crop improvement.
In tandem with SPROUT, the National Institute of Plant Genome Research has also developed ‘SpeedSeed’, an innovative technology designed for accelerated generation advancement. Utilizing optimized protocols, SpeedSeed can dramatically reduce the generation cycle of crops like chickpeas to approximately 40 days, cutting down conventional breeding timelines by a considerable margin. Emphasizing the broader impact of such initiatives, Dr. Singh stated that the facility aligns perfectly with the Government’s BioE3 policy and its overarching push to strengthen the nation’s agricultural capabilities. By fostering self-reliance in the agriculture sector and ensuring future food security, he noted that pioneering scientific capabilities like SPROUT will play an instrumental role in driving India’s journey toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Published by True Roots Media Network