New Delhi, July 16 : The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh today inaugurated the 88th Foundation Day and Annual Award Function of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
A unique feature of the function was that about 700 farmers were invited and an interactive session with the officials and researchers was also held.
Speaking on the ICAR Foundation Day, the Union Agriculture Minister and Farmers dwelt at length on the achievements and new initiatives/schemes launched by the NDA Government for strengthening agricultural research, education and extension system through institutional development especially in the eastern and the North –Eastern states. Shri Singh further spoke on the developmental schemes such as Soil Health Card, Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojna, National Agricultural Market, Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojna to promote organic farming, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojna, dedicated Kisan Channel on Doordarshan, besides others, launched by the NDA Government for agricultural development in the country.
The ICAR Awards were given to in 19 categories to 119 awardees. The awards were not only for the agricultural researchers and institutions but also for agricultural journalists, farmers and extension workers.
Dr. Pothula Srinivasa Brahmanand, IIWM,Bhubaneswar,Dr. Kasilingam Rajkumar IRMRA, Dr. Narayan Sahoo,IIWM, Bhubaneswar, Dr.S.K.Chakraborty IRMRA, Dr.Ashwani Kumar IIWM, Bhubaneswar, Dr.Atmaram Mishra IIWM, Bhubaneswar, Er.D.U.Patil IIWM, Bhubaneswar, Dr.Susanta Kumar Jena Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar has been awarded in this programe under ICAR Award for Outstanding Interdisciplinary Team Research in Agricultural and Allied Sciences 2013-14.
The Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, Shri Prushottam Rupala and Shri Sudershan Bhagat were also present on the occasion.
Dr.T. Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, welcomed the dignitaries and participants. In his address, the Director General mentioned research on improving productivity and production of pulses and oilseeds as the top priority.
