21 September 2026, Hyderabad
ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, successfully organized a “Technology Day on Millets (Shree Anna)” today to showcase the institute’s improved millet cultivar technologies, millet-based food technologies and advanced research facilities to industry partners and other stakeholders. The programme was attended by 20 representatives from seed industry, start-ups and other stakeholders providing participants with first hand exposure to millet technologies, advanced research infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration and commercialization.
Dr C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR highlighted the institute’s commitment to working with industries, start-ups and other stakeholders for research, technology development and commercialization of improved millet technologies. She emphasized that the institute’s advanced facilities, including phenomics, speed breeding, tissue culture, genome sequencing, genome editing and disease screening nursery, would provide opportunities for collaborative research and analytical services. She also highlighted the availability of advanced biochemical analysis facilities on a paid-service basis and called for an integrated approach to bridge research and industry gaps.
Technical presentations were delivered on improved varieties and hybrids of different millet crops, the Nutri-genomics facility and advanced phenomics research complex, biochemical and nutritional analysis services, and millet processing machinery and value-added food technologies developed and standardized at Nutrihub, ICAR-IIMR.
During the field visit, participants were exposed to improved and high-yielding varieties and hybrids and advanced breeding lines present in AICRP testing pipeline of grain, fodder, sweet and high biomass types, with the respective technology developers interacting with industry representatives.
The participants also visited the Advanced Phenomics Facilities, where they were briefed on high-throughput phenomics equipped with hyperspectral cameras, speed breeding with controlled environmental conditions, tissue culture, genome editing and disease screening facilities. The Nutri-genomics and Biochemistry laboratories were also showcased, highlighting advanced instruments such as high-end sequencers, RT-PCR/qPCR, XRF, ICP-OES, HPLC and automated dietary fibre analysis systems for nutritional, biochemical and molecular studies. The visit to the value addition and Common Facility Centre (CFC) provided exposure to millet-based food product development, nutritional quality and shelf-life analysis, as well as primary and secondary processing machinery with capacities of 1–2 tonnes per hour and modern packaging systems.
The programme concluded with an interactive session between scientists and industry representatives, focusing on technology requirements, research gaps and potential areas of collaboration. Several industry participants expressed interest in licensing ICAR-IIMR cultivar technologies and exploring the use of advanced research facilities, particularly speed breeding and high-throughput phenomics, through collaborative programmes. The Technology Day marked an important step towards strengthening industry–research partnerships, technology transfer and commercialization of millet innovations, contributing to the wider promotion of millets as nutritious, climate-resilient and economically important crops.
(Source: ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad)
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