Create Awareness among Farmers about ICAR’s Latest Technologies to Enhance Their Income: Narendra Tomar

“The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is safe and fully secure” said Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar at the 91st Annual General Meeting of the ICAR. The Minister applauded the important role being played by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in enhancing the agricultural production of the country. He emphasized on the quality of researches being carried out by the scientists that have helped the country to be self-sufficient in food crop production. He stressed on creating awareness among the farmers about the ICAR’s latest technologies to enhance their income.

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Railways & Commerce and Industry stated that a revolution in research can be achieved by the collaborative efforts of the government sector, academicia and industry.

While highlighting the benefits of PMFBY, he said that the Scheme ensures the farmers’ betterment and upliftment in the society. He emphasized on the importance of the value-addition as it would help the farmers to get better price for their products. This, in turn, would help to make the farming community to prosper more. Goyal also accentuated that the “Kisan Rail for Farmers” initiative will help in transportation of farm produce to the distant places while preserving the nutrition.   

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare applauded the various researches being carried out by the scientists and the hard work of the farmers that helped India to be accolade as a food-sufficient country. He emphasized that the contribution of both the agricultural scientists and farmers is paramount to make the country prosper in different arena of agriculture and farming. Rupala stressed on reducing the gaps between the government policies makers and farmers that will enable the farmers to be benefited in the real sense. The Minister urged to replicate the Gujarat’s Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY) Model that aims at helping the farmers to generate the solar power. This would enable them to generate electricity for their captive consumption as well as sell the surplus power to the grid and earn an extra income.

Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare stated that the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of achieving the five trillion economy can be realized by enhancing the farmers’ income.

Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Union Minister of State for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises said that overcoming malnutrition is still a challenge for India. He emphasized on organic farming. 

Rao Inderjit Singh, Union Minister of State for Statistics & Programme Implementation accolades the ICAR’s contributions as vital in making the country self-sufficient in food grains production.

Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh highlighted about the successful running of 83 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the state. He also emphasized on the plan to strengthen around 19 KVKs in Uttar Pradesh. Shri Shahi accentuated on providing the effective treatments to the livestock as they are the real jewels of the farmers. The Minister also stressed on promoting the practices of organic farming in the state.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) briefed about the ICAR’s achievements during 2019-20. Dr. Mohapatra also highlighted about the release of 220 new varieties out of which 189 are climate resilient.

Earlier, Sanjay Kumar Singh, I.A.S., Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) delivered the welcome address.

The dignitaries also released the various Publications and Mobile Apps developed by ICAR Institutes during the occasion.

The Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Ministers of various States, Members of the Governing Body of the ICAR, representatives from national organizations, senior officials and scientists of ICAR participated in the AGM.