The ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur celebrated its 26th Foundation Day last week. In his message on the foundation Day, Chief Guest, Dr. Panjab Singh, Former Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR); President, NAAS, New Delhi and Chancellor, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi emphasized on rededication by all concerned for the cause of pulses. He stated about the preparedness of the roadmap by the country for realizing its focused twin national priorities to fulfill Self-sufficiency in pulses and Doubling Farmers’ income by the Year - 2022.
The Guest of Honor, Dr. Masood Ali, Former Director, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur highlighted the accelerated growth and development in the pulses sector. He stated that from a production of mere 8.41 m t from an area of 19.09 m ha with an average productivity of 441 kg/ha during the Year - 1950-51, the country has made an incredible performance now. It has reached to 25.42 m t from around 29 m ha with a productivity of 811 kg/ha during the Year - 2017-18, thereby making a history in pulses production.
Dr. N.P. Singh, Director, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur stated about the significant contributions made by the scientists, researchers, farmers and policy makers of the country. This resulted in an average pulses production of 24 million tonnes during last 3 Years (2016-19) with a huge buffer stock of 30 lakh tonnes. Due to this, the country has made a history in the record production of pulses. Dr. Singh emphasized that the ICAR-IIPR as a nodal agency in pulses has taken a lead in pulses R & D.
Dr. Shanker Lal, Former Director, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur stressed upon the ICAR-IIPR’s contribution in further strengthening pulses as a value added commodity. He emphasized that the Institute has added 4 regional Stations/Centres for reinforcing its activity in all the zones across the country (Bikaner in Rajasthan, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Dharwad in Karnatak and Bhubaneswar in Odisha).
Dr. G.P. Dixit, Project Coordinator, ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea thanked the Guest and participants.
