Union Agriculture Minister Inaugurates ICAR Regional Committee Meeting at Raipur
17th October, 2014, Raipur
Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture inaugurated the 23rd meeting of ICAR Regional Committee No.VII at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur today. He emphasized the role of Regional Committee in agricultural development of region and appreciated the efforts of National Agricultural Research System in sustaining food grains production through district-wise contingent plans in the wake of deficit monsoon. Shri Singh called for utilization of desi cattle breeds in animal breeding programmes to develop climate resilient cattle breeds. Mentioning some of the recent initiatives from the ministry, he expressed his undeterred commitment towards the farmers' prosperity and called upon all the stakeholders at both state and national level to work in harmony with complete dedication.
Dr. Raman Singh, Chief Minister, Government of Chhattisgarh chaired the Inaugural Session and also inaugurated Dr. R.H. Richariya Research Laboratory at IGKV. He lauded the contributions of farmers, ICAR, SAUs, and KVKs in agricultural development in the region. Shri Singh stressed the importance of soil health cards and farmers' insurance, and called upon intensification of research on fisheries, animal husbandry, farm mechanization, agro- forestry and biodiversity conservation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR expressed gratitude to Union Minister of Agriculture for his historical presence in the ICAR Regional Committee meeting. He highlighted the major challenges faced by Indian agriculture in general and region VII in particular and also briefed about the Council's preparations to counter the challenges.
Innovative farmers from the region were felicitated and a number of useful publications in the form of bulletins, CDs books from ICAR institutes and SAUs were released during the occasion.
DDGs of ICAR, Vice Chancellors of State Agricultural and Veterinary Universities located in the region VII, ADGs, Directors of ICAR institutions, Agricultural Commissioners and Senior Government Officers from the State Departments, members representing ICAR Society & NGOs, PCs of AICRPs, Heads of Regional Stations participated in the meeting.
Dr. K.R. Kranthi, Director, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur and Member
Secretary of the ICAR Regional Committee – VII proposed the vote of thanks.In his address, Shri Brij Mohan Agrawal, Minister for Agriculture, Veterinary, Fisheries and Water Resources, Government of Chhatisgarh urged the need of Indian Agricultural Services, KVKs in remaining nine districts, Centre of Excellence for Rice, Biodiversity Park, Regional Centre for Organic Farming, subsidy on mechanization and Regional Centre of CIFA for the agricultural development of region.
Earlier, Dr. S.K. Patil, Vice Chancellor, IGKV welcomed the dignitaries.
Shri Gaurishankar Bisen, Minister for Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Sushri Kusum Mehdele, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Shri Ramesh Bais, Member of Parliament, Raipur Lok Sabha; and Shri Devji Bhai Patel, MLA, Dharsiwa, Vidhan Sabha Chhattisgarh also graced the occasion.
(Source: CICR, Nagpur)
