
- Address : Bathalagoda, Ibbagamuwa, Sri Lanka
- E- Mail : rrdi@doa.gov.lk
- Telephone : +94 372 258561
- Fax : +94 372 259881
Welcome to Rice Research and Development Institute - RRDI

Rice - The Staple Food
General information on the rice crop ...

Research
Research that are being conducted at our institute

Other Services
Other services rendered to the public...

Technology
Recent technologies introduced...

Development
Training, information dissamination and technology transfer...

Rice Doctor
Do your own diagnosis on crop problems with this App.... (Sinhala)
We are
RRDI is the centre for research and development targetted at improving rice crop in Sri Lanka. The institute is located at Batalagoda (Kurunegala district).There are 7 sub stations attached to the RRDI, which conducts research and development activities of regional importance.
Mission
To be the national center for development and dissemination of technologies aiming at improvement of the productivity and profitability of rice farming and the quality of rice.
RRDI is the Sri Lanka’s principle research station to conduct research on improvement of rice crop, management of crop related environmental pressures and development of methodologies for physical requirements of crop growth. The institute is located at Bathalagoda (Kurunegala district). There are 7 sub stations established under the RRDI, namely, Ambalantota, Bombuwala, Labuduwa, Benthota, Sammanthurei, Paranthan, and Murunkan.
The institute is administered by the Director (Rice Research and Development), and he is responsible for overall research and administrative functions of the Institute whereas Deputy Directors (Research) at Batalagoda, Bombuwela and Ambalantota are responsible for the management of research activities at the respective centers/stations. Similarly, research activities at Bentota, Labuduwa, Samanthurei, Paranthan and Murukan are administered by Assistant Directors of Agriculture (Research) in charge.
The Institute continues to play a major role in the country’s rice sector by releasing new high yielding rice varieties and introducing improved rice production technologies to help farmers realize the yield potentials of their respective areas. The research and development program at RRDI focuses on increasing farm productivity from current 4.3 t/ha to 5.0 t/ha within the next 5 years while reducing cost of production and improving grain quality of rice.
In an effort to attain a quantum jump in rice yields, rice breeding program has been focused to develop varieties with a few tillers, sturdy culm and heavy panicles – a plant architecture designated as the new-plant type. Both traditional varieties and introduced lines from International Rice Research Institute are used in the breeding program. In addition, a special attention is given to strengthen hybrid rice research.
Efforts are made to develop techniques that will help increasing rice plant’s nutrient use efficiency. Need base fertilizer application methods are being tested. This would help maximizing effectiveness of fertilizers applied and thereby to reduce cost of production. Other agronomic practices to reduce production costs are also being tested.
The Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI) strives to bring about self-reliance in rice despite changes in trade policies that adversely affect the rice growers. It pursues this goal by consistently developing technology for obtaining high yield with excellent quality. DOA’s achievements in the rice sector over the last 50 years, we see a ten-fold increase in rice production and a five and-a- half-fold increase in average yields one observed. The increase in yield per unit area can be attributed to large-scale adoption of improved production technologies.
At present the the production of rice can meet the country’s consumer demand. However, to meet the growing needs of the increasing population, and developing industrial and other uses of rice as raw material and inputs, it is necessary to improve productivity in the future. This is a serious challenge as several biotic, abiotic and social factors continue to limit the productivity, and we are forced to increase rice production with less land, labor and water and limited use of chemicals.
The RRDI, therefore, continues to strengthen research and development activities on varietal improvement, soil fertility and its sustainability, pest, disease and weed management, post-harvest and grain quality and production technologies.
History
Batalagoda, an ancient village located in Hiriyala, Hathpaththuwa (Kurunegala district). The ancient irrigation tank that provided irrigation water to the area including Batalagoda village was in a dilapidated condition and was improved by Mr. Parker, an engineer, in 1902. As a result, water supply to the area was assured enabling cultivation of paddy in the irrigation scheme continuously in both Yala and Maha seasons.
In 1929, the government acquired a land in this area, owned by Mr. Hamidu Muhandiram and offered to the Department of Agriculture administered under the Wariyapola farm (Land which RRDI is located at present).
Rice varietal development and research were conducted at Mahailluppallama during that time, with the difficulties due to no assured water supply for paddy farming. Dr. Abeyrathne (Botanist in the Department of Agriculture) decided to transfer rice research program from Mahailluppallama to Batalagoda. Accordingly, Mr. Hector Weerarathne The rice researcher at Mahailluppallama was transferred to Batalagoda and rice research program was established at Balatagoda.
Honorable D.S. Senanayake understood the importance of the work at Batalagoda and the importance of an uninterrupted water supply to the farm. He instructed the Irrigation Department to issue water from Bathalagoda tank continuously to the Batalagoda farm, with the condition of supplying water only to the farm if the water level is below 3 feet in the tank. The Irrigation Department follows this order even today.
In 1952, Batalagoda farm was re-named as Central Rice Breeding Center. It was further strengthened by establishing sub-research stations in Ambalanthota, Benthota, Bombuwela, Labuduwa, Samanthurei, Paranthan and Murunkan. The institute was renamed as Rice Research and Development Institute in 1993.
Divisions
Following are the different technical and operational divisions within the RRDI.
Sub Stations
There are seven sub stations established under RRDI,

Rice in Sri Lanka
Rice is the single most important crop occupying 34 percent (0.77/million ha) of the total cultivated...

Research
Details about the researches that are being carried out at our institute

Development(Training)
Transfer the new technologies which are developed by the research divisions...

History
Bathalagoda is an ancient village which is located in Hiriyala Hathpaththuwa in Kurunegala district...

Paddy Clinic
Videos related to the field problems...

Technology
Recent technologies introduced...

Diagnostic & Other Services
About Diagnostic & Other Services...

Recommended Varieties
Recommended rice varieties (from 1958 to 2016)...

Rice Doctor Application
Rice Doctor Application(Sinhala Version)
We are
RRDI is the main rice research station in the country and located at Bathalagoda, kurunegala district.There are 7 sub stations attached to the RRDI, including Bombuwala, Labuduwa, Benthota, Sammanthurei, Paranthan and Murunkan.
Mission
To be the national center of development and dissermination of technologies to improve the productivity and profitability of rice farming and quality of rice.
RRDI is the main rice research station in the country and located at Bathalagoda, kurunegala district.There are 7 sub stations attached to the RRDI, including Bombuwala, Labuduwa,Benthota,Sammanthurei,Paranthan and Murunkan.
The Director Rice Research and Development is responsible for overall research and administrative functions of the Institute. The Deputy Directors (Research) at Batalagoda, Bombuwela and Ambalantota look over the research activities at their respective centers/stations. Assistant Director of Agriculture(Research) in charge at Bentota,Labuduwa,Samanthurei,Paranthan and Murukan look over research activities at their respective research stations.
The Institute continues to play a major role in the country’s rice sector by releasing new high yielding rice varieties and introducing improved rice production technologies to help farmers realize the yield potentials of the area. The research and development program at RRDI focuses on increasing farm productivity from current 4.3 t/ha to 5.0 t/ha within the next 5 years while reducing cost of production and improving grain quality of rice.
In an effort to attain a quantum jump in rice yields, rice breeding program has been focused to develop varieties with a few tillers, sturdy culm and heavy panicles – a plant architecture designated as the new-plant type. Both traditional varieties and introduced lines from International Rice Research Institute are used in the breeding program. The hybrid rice research program has been further strengthened.
Effort are made to develop techniques that will to help increase rice plant’s nutrient use efficiency. Need base fertilizer application methods are being tested. This would help maximize effectiveness of fertilizers applied and reduce cost of production. Other agronomic practices to reduce production costs are being tested.
The Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI) strive to bring about self-reliance in rice despite changes in trade policies that adversely affect the rice growers. It pursues this goal by consistently developing technology for obtaining high yield with excellent quality. DOA’s achievements in this rice field over the last 50 years, we see a ten-fold increase in rice production and a five and-a- half-fold increase in average yields one observed. The increase in yield per unit area can be attributed to large-scale adoption of improved production technologies.
At present the country produces required amount of rice. However, to meet the growing needs of the population, it is necessary to produce more in the future. This is a serious challenge as several biotic, a biotic and social factors continue to limit the productivity, and we are forced to increase rice production with less land, labor and water and limited use of chemicals.
The RRDI, therefore, continues to strengthen research and development activities on varietal improvement, soil fertility and its sustainability, pest, disease and weed management, post harvest and grain quality and production technologies.
Divisions
Sub Centers
There are seven sub units comes under RRDI,
- Address : Rice Research and Development Institute(RRDI) , Bathalagoda, Ibbagamuwa, Sri Lanka
- Email : rrdi@doa.gov.lk
- Telephone : +94 372 258561
- Fax : +94 372 259881
- Open : Mon to Fri - 8.30 am to 4.15 pm (Saturday & Sunday Closed)
Address : Rice Research and Development Institute(RRDI),Bathalagoda, Ibbagamuwa, Sri Lanka
Email : rrdi@doa.gov.lk
Telephone : +94 372 258561
Fax : +94 372 259881
Open : Mon to Fri – 8.30am to 4.30pm (Saturday & Sunday Closed)