Agartala, Oct 26 : A scientist from Kailashahar in Tripura has advocated an irrigation-led strategy to help African nations reduce dependence on imported rice, highlighting the role of modern water-management systems in strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Dr Deb, head of the Water and Climate Research Unit at the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi, presented a roadmap for improving rice production at the recently concluded Global Rice Policy Dialogue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Addressing policymakers, researchers and development experts, he emphasised the need to identify regions with high agricultural potential and prioritise investment in modern irrigation infrastructure instead of relying solely on expanding cultivated areas.
He said scientifically managed irrigation systems and efficient water-use practices could help African countries increase domestic rice production, improve farmers’ incomes and build resilience against climate-related challenges.
The two-day dialogue, organised with the support of the African Union, IRRI, AfricaRice and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, brought together experts and policymakers to discuss agricultural reforms, technological innovation and food-security challenges facing the continent.
As part of ongoing international collaboration, Dr Deb is working with the Kenyan government to develop a framework for identifying regions where irrigation investments could deliver substantial agricultural benefits. The initiative aims to promote higher productivity while ensuring sustainable use of water resources.
His research also covers major agricultural projects in India. In Kerala, he is associated with a World Bank-supported initiative to digitally monitor water flows across a canal-irrigation network spanning more than 20,000 hectares.
The project seeks to improve water distribution and strengthen decision-making in agricultural management.
Dr Deb is also collaborating with NASA scientists to validate data generated by the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission. The research aims to integrate satellite observations with agricultural and water-resource studies to improve irrigation planning, climate monitoring and crop management.
His work spans irrigation engineering, climate adaptation and sustainable farming systems, connecting scientific research with practical agricultural applications.
After completing his doctoral studies at the University of Newcastle in Australia, he pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Alabama in the United States.
His journey from Kailashahar to the international research arena underscores the role of Indian scientists in addressing global challenges related to food security, climate change and sustainable management of natural resources.
