88th Foundation Day, Krishak Goshthi and ICAR Award Ceremony
Agriculture is ready to win over challenges and climatic adversities, says Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister
16th July 2016, New Delhi
Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, while addressing the 88th ICAR Foundation Day and ICAR Award Ceremony as chief guest, lauded efforts of scientists and farmers for making Indian agriculture ready to face and win over challenges and also climatic adversities. He said despite a short fall of nearly 14% in monsoon rains during 2015-16, the food production remained stable and provided support to national food security. This also ensured livelihood security to millions of farmers who are engaged in mainstream agriculture and related enterprises. Government has launched several new schemes and implementing these vigorously for welfare and enhancing income of farmers. Government has committed to double the income of farmers by 2022, he said.
Agriculture Minister emphasized the importance of agriculture education in overall development of agriculture and elaborated various measures taken to enhance the quality and relevance of education. A new course curricula for undergraduate program has been designed which includes tradition, technology, talent orientation and trading concept for making student competent enough to tackle various fields challenges and also earn a decent livelihood, he added. He stressed on the need to popularize integrated farming models across India for enhancing income of farmers and also urged scientists to accelerate lab to land program and commercialization of technologies.
Agriculture Minister appreciated scientists for developing new varieties of pulses and oilseeds which have drought and flood tolerance to boost the production of these important commodities. Pulse seed production hubs are being developed in various regions to ensure availability of quality seeds of pulses to farmers. He also appreciated various new technologies and interventions which have enhanced horticulture, dairy, fisheries and poultry production.
Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs; Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Panchayati Raj; and Shri Sudarshan Bhagat, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare also graced the occasion as Guests of Honor.
Chief Guest and dignitaries released ICAR publications, knowledge products and technologies on the occasion.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister along with Ministers of States for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare conferred various categories of ICAR awards. A total of 116 awardees were selected under 19 different categories comprising four institutes, two AICRPs, 12 KVKs, 73 scientists, 11 farmers and Six agricultural journalists which include 11 women scientists.
Earlier, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR welcomed the dignitaries and made a comprehensive presentation on the recent achievements and major contributions of ICAR in sustaining food and nutritional security of the country.
Shri Chhabilendra Roul, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR proposed the vote of thanks.
Members of the Governing Body of ICAR, Senior Officials of ICAR Headquarters and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Directors of ICAR Institutes, Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and scientists and staff of ICAR Institutes participated in the event.
As a part of ceremony , a Krishak Goshthi in which more than 700 farmers from various regions participated and interacted with scientists on various issues of technologies and other interventions. Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Agricultural Extension) and Dr. J.S. Sandhu, DDG (Crop Science) chaired and coordinated the proceedings along with senior officials and scientists of ICAR.
(Source: ICAR-DKMA, New Delhi)
