ICAR, Umiam celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day
The ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day today on 12th January, 2016. The institute which started its humble journey from ‘Amrit Bhawan’ in Laban was initially mandated to develop sustainable farming systems suitable for the fragile agro eco-system of NEH region to bring socio economic upliftment of the myriad farming community. The institute is now one of the premier institutes of ICAR with its HQ at Umiam, Meghalaya and serving the whole NEH region through its regional research centers spreading over all the north eastern states of the country except Assam.
To mark the special day of the institute, the Chief Guest for the occasion was Shri. Bhaskar Baruah, Retd. IAS, Ex- Secretary (Agriculture), Govt. of India and Principal Advisor to National Planning Commission for Agriculture. Environment and Forests, GOI. In his Foundation Day speech, he said that the institute is a boon for the North Eastern region and emphasized upon the emerging issues in the field of agriculture like Conservation Agriculture, Jhum improvement and Climate Change. Expressing concerns over the soil degradation of the region, he urged the scientists to be ready for launching the first brown revolution in NEH region on priority basis rather than second green revolution. He told “Farmers should not be mere passive recipients rather the champions of innovative technologies”, hence the farmers should take initiative and work together with the scientific community.
Presiding over the programme, the Director of the institute Dr. S.V. Ngachan highlighted the significant accomplishments of the institute during last four decades. Since inception during 1975, the institute has developed 56 varieties of different crops, 7 farming system models, first of its kind in the country and innovative rain water harvesting system (jalkund), integrated farming system models, a variety of pig along with low cost housing system, molecular diagnostic tool for plants and animal diseases, about 60 different farm implements and machinery for drudgery reduction, packages of practices for organic agriculture of 15 crops. Other innovative technologies like portable hatchery, surveillance mechanism for trans-boundary animal diseases were established by the institution in the North Eastern region. He also appreciated the efforts of the staff for their sincere dedication and hard work to lead this institute to reach at the pinnacle of success at national level with the conferment of several awards and recognitions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. A.K. Tripathi, Director, ATARI, Zone III, Umiam said the institute has rendered invaluable service for the farming community of the region. To reduce the persistent problem of availability and good seed and planting material and modern technological options, the institute has attended more than 60,000 farmers directly over the last five years over the whole north eastern states. The “Mera Goan, Mera Gaurav” scheme has been implemented in 60 villages in Meghalaya. Coordinating the programme Dr. D.J. Rajkhowa, Principal Scientist (Agronomy) delivered the welcome address in which he highlighted the importance of celebrating Foundation Day through recapitulation of some memoirs. The programme was graced by several other dignitaries namely Dr. A. K. Mishra, I/C NBPGR Regional Centre, Umiam; Dr. K. Momocha Singh, Dean, CPGS, CAU, Umiam and Dr. R. Bhagawati, Jt. Director, ICAR, Arunachal Pradesh Centre along with staff of ICAR and more than 60 farmers from different villages of the state.
The day witnessed with different programmes like felicitation of staff to be retired during 2016, innovative farmer’s- scientist interaction and field visits by the farmers along with quality input distribution among the farmers.
On its 42nd foundation day, the institute expresses its gratitude to the state government line departments and farming community of the north eastern region who were the support and guiding force in its 41 years journey and pledges to continue its service for the people of the region with a commitment to provide “nutritional security under natural farming system”.
