Concerns are growing over a part of the land belonging to the ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) in Hyderabad being marked for the Musi Riverfront Development Project. Officials from the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation recently carried out land-marking activities, which has created worry among scientists and researchers working at the institute.



Experts say the land is very important for agricultural research and is being used for long-term studies on millet crops, soil quality, seed preservation, and climate-resilient farming. They fear that if the land is disturbed or taken away, many years of scientific work and valuable research data could be lost permanently.



The institute has become one of India’s key centres for millet research, especially after millets gained global attention during the International Year of Millets. IIMR has played a major role in promoting healthy and climate-friendly crops that support nutrition and sustainable agriculture in India and other countries.



Meanwhile, ICAR officials have reportedly asked the Telangana government to protect the institute’s land and research activities. While MRDCL officials clarified that they are currently only marking river boundaries and no final decision on land acquisition has been made, scientists and experts are urging the government to protect important agricultural research institutions from urban development pressures.