Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda Inaugurates New Facilities at IARI Assam

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the administrative & educational buildings, hostels, and guesthouses for students in the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Assam virtually on March 04, 2024. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a special emphasis on the development of the northeastern region. The central government has worked to bridge the gaps in agricultural development in the northeastern states and has given a new dimension to the development of the region.

Munda said that the government is working towards making India a developed nation by 2047, and agriculture plays a crucial role in it. A mission of Rs 11,000 crore is underway to reduce the burden of edible oil imports and make India self-sufficient in sesame. “We have to work with the vision that in the coming days, we will not only import but also export. When we work with a vision, we surely achieve success.”

He said that agricultural institutions are engaged in multidimensional efforts to benefit the region. It is believed that IARI will emerge as a prominent center for agricultural development in the northeastern states. Postgraduate courses in various subjects have been started here since 2015-16. After getting a degree from here, students not only work as agricultural experts but also come out of the campus as multi-billionaires in the agro sector.

Leveraging Natural Diversity of North East Region

MoS Kailash Choudhary urged scientists to leverage the natural diversity of the North East Region and highlighted the development of nature-centric technologies, advocating for organic and natural farming. He emphasized focusing on research concerning pulses and oilseeds to reduce the country's reliance on pulse imports. Choudhary stressed the importance of linking agricultural research with entrepreneurship and encouraged the free exchange of ideas among different organizations.

Secretary DARE and DG ICAR, Dr. Himansu Pathak, addressed the gathering virtually and outlined the objectives and mandates of IARI, Assam. He emphasized the region's vast potential for research and development in North-East India and assured that ICAR would spare no effort to ensure the institute's continued progress.

The opening of this institute marks a significant milestone in ICAR's history, and he congratulated all those involved in its development.