While addressing Virtual 93rd Foundation Day & Awards Ceremony at Indian Council of Agricultural Research at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today, Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar said, “Being agriculture-centric country, the farmers are the real treasure of the country”.
The Union Minister further said that the commendable works carried out in the various fields of agricultural and allied sciences by the Council’s untiring scientists and farmers is a real honor for our country. He also emphasized on the capability of agricultural sector to meet the targets of delivering the un-interrupted availability of the essential food crops even during the challenging times of COVID-19.
The Union Minister highlighted the Central Government’s different farmers’-friendly Schemes like Lab-to-Land, Water to every Agricultural land, Per Drop More Crop, etc., that are primarily aimed at accelerating the progress of the agricultural sector and realizing the true potential of the farm sector of the country. He stated that the schemes aim at improving the products and production to encourage the farmers of the country. The Minister stressed on promoting integrated farming along with organic and natural farming practices. Tomar requested to find the unique characteristics of animal husbandry, fisheries, poultry, crop production, horticultural crops, etc., to boost their demands in the markets.
Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying & Vice-President, ICAR stressed that the Council has not only contributed in agricultural progress of the country, but has also helped it to be self-dependent in production of food crop varieties and various other essential products too. Highlighting the significance of animal husbandry and fisheries along with farming, the Union Minister applauded the Councils’ various initiatives in farm mechanization, value-addition and food processing.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology asserted the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology’s commitment to furnish the newest and advanced agricultural technologies to the farmers.
Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare lauded the ICAR’s initiatives that have made the country self-dependent and exporter of the various food crops. Highlighting the example of ARYA (Attracting Rural Youth in Agriculture) Scheme, the Minister stressed on providing newer opportunities to youths in agriculture, empowering farmers to receive fair prices for their produce, development of improved seeds and linking agriculture to markets.
Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare regarded the farmers as the backbone and lifeline of the economy.
Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India and Ajay Prakash Sahani, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India were also present during the occasion.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) underlined the various activities carried out, working styles and achievements of the Council. The various National and International Events organized, Schemes initiated and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the last one year were also highlighted in the DG’s address. Dr. Mohapatra stressed on the Council’s commitment to provide higher education in the agricultural arena, carry out new researches, identify the latest domestic varieties, initiate new technological advancements, to narrow the gap of the lab-to-land and provide prompt solutions to the various problems faced by the farmers.
The ICAR conferred sixteen Awards in four major categories that included the “National Award for outstanding contributions for Agricultural Institutes”, “National Award for outstanding contributions in Agricultural Researches”, “National Award for Application of Agricultural Technologies” and “National Award for Innovation and Technology Development by Farmers” during the occasion.
The dignitaries virtually felicitated about 60 Awardees in 16 different categories. The Awards included 4 ICAR Institutes, 1 All India Coordinated Research Project, 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 39 Scientists and 11 Farmers. 50 honored farmers included 12 women farmers. Apart from the Awards, the Hindi Rajbhasha Awards in the various categories were also conferred during the occasion.
The Dignitaries also released the various ICAR Publications on the occasion.
Marking the celebrations of the Council’s Foundation Day, the ICAR-CAFRI, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh also initiated the plantation drive.
The Members of Governing Body, Senior Officials of ICAR Headquarters & Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare; Directors of ICAR Institutes; Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities; Scientists and Staff Members of ICAR also participated in the event.
Source: ICAR
