The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of the ISARC at campus of National Seed Research and Training Center (NSRTC) in Varanasi.

• Under the proposal, a Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) will be set up in Varanasi.
• This will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw.
• The Centre will also undertake capacity building exercises for stakeholders across the rice value chain.
• This Center will be the first international Center in the eastern India and it will play a major role in harnessing and sustaining rice production in the region.
• The Centre will help in utilizing the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties. This will help India to achieve higher per hectare yields and improved nutritional contents.
• India’s food and nutritional security issues will also be addressed.
• This will reduce wastage, add value and generate higher income for the farmers. 
• The farmers in Eastern India will benefit in particular, besides those in South Asian and African countries.

Source:PIB