Agartala, Oct 26 : A scientist from Tripura's Kailashahar is contributing to international efforts to strengthen food security and promote sustainable agriculture, advocating irrigation-led strategies to help African nations reduce their dependence on imported rice.
Dr Deb, who heads 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 invest in modern irrigation infrastructure rather than focusing solely on expanding cultivation areas.
He said scientifically managed irrigation systems and efficient water-use practices could help African countries increase domestic rice production, strengthen food security, 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 stakeholders to discuss agricultural policy reforms, innovation and food-security challenges across the continent.
Dr Deb is also working with the Kenyan government to develop a framework for identifying regions where irrigation investments could deliver significant agricultural benefits. The initiative aims to balance increased production with sustainable water-resource management.
His research extends to several large-scale projects in India. In Kerala, he is associated with a World Bank-supported initiative to digitally monitor water flows across a canal-irrigation network covering more than 20,000 hectares.
The project aims to improve water distribution efficiency and support better decision-making in agricultural management.
Dr Deb is also involved in collaborative research with NASA scientists to validate data generated by the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission. The initiative seeks to integrate satellite observations with agricultural and water-resource studies to improve irrigation planning, climate monitoring and crop management.
His work focuses on irrigation engineering, climate adaptation and sustainable farming systems, linking scientific research with practical applications.
After completing his doctoral studies at the University of Newcastle in Australia, he undertook postdoctoral research at the University of Alabama in the United States.
His journey from Kailashahar to international agricultural research highlights the contribution of Indian scientists to global efforts to address food insecurity, climate change and growing pressure on natural resources.
Through his research and international collaborations, Dr Deb is working to develop science-based solutions for sustainable agriculture and improved water management, officials associated with the initiatives said.
