Quinquennial Review Meeting of ICAR Seed Project held at Umiam

The Quinquennial Review Team (QTR) meeting of ICAR- Directorate of Seed Research (DSR), Mau, Uttar Pradesh (UP) was held at ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Region, Umiam during 15th to 16th September 2015 to review the progress made in seed projects of ICAR during the year 2009 to 2013 implemented in Orissa, West Bengal, Assam and Manipur through ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs). Scientists of ICAR, CAU and AAU from all the North Eastern States also participated in the programme for cross learning and developing strategy for seed production in the region. About 30 scientist and researchers attended the programme.

Dr S.V Ngachan Director, ICAR Research Complex North Eastern Region, welcomed the review team comprising of Dr P. K Das, S. S Pandey, Dr T. N Venkata Reddy, Dr S Rajendra Prasad and Dr S Natarajan.

In the opening remark, Dr R Prasad Director, DSR, Mau, UP, briefed about the National Network Projects, National Seed Project, and ICAR Seed Project aimed at breeder and quality seed production being implemented across the country coordinated by DSR, MAU. He stressed on achievements of these projects to meet the National seed demand and increasing the Seed and Varietal Replacement Rate thereby increasing the crop productivity of the country and overall achieving food security.

Dr S. V Ngachan briefed about the present seed scenario in North East region and stressed on the requirement of breeder seed project and ICAR seed project for upliftment of seed scenario of North Eastern Region. He further added that reviving our soil through pulse production has a multi solving purpose.

The Nodal officer /seed research officers of SAUs and ICAR institutes presented progress of seed projects including seed production made during the last five years in their respective centres. Team reviewed the financial and physical achievements against target and gave recommendations and suggestions for future course of action and to fulfil the required seed need in agriculture and allied sectors.

The expert team on seeds had a consultation meeting with scientist from North Eastern states aimed at removing bottlenecks for successful implementation of breeder and quality seed production in major field crops of North East.

Finally a broad road map has been drafted for augmenting and streamlining seed supply system for agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and livestock sectors in North Eastern Region of India.

The meeting was coordinated by Dr I Megha Chandra Singh, Nodal Officer, Seed ICAR, Manipur Center, Dr J.P Tyagi and Dr Anup Das, Senior Scientists, ICAR Complex, Umiam.

The vote of thanks was offered by Dr Natarajan, Principal Scientist DSR, MAU, UP