95th Annual General Meeting of ICAR Society held under the chairmanship of Union Minister Shri Arjun Munda

Progress of small farmers and self-reliance in agriculture is our goal - Shri Munda

28th February 2024, New Delhi

The 95th Annual General Meeting of ICAR Society-2024, was held at NASC Complex, New Delhi, today.

The Chief Guest, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri. Arjun Munda, emphasized the importance of developing the agricultural sector for the welfare of mankind. He highlighted the need to address challenges such as climate change and global warming to make India a developed nation. Shri. Munda urged the need for healthy and nutritious food for a nation's development. He pledged to make India Aatmnirbhar by making farmers self-reliant and self-dependent, highlighting the need for the farming community to adapt to the changing climate and address global warming.The minister highlighted the innovative approach of ICAR in the agriculture sector, which aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in the country. He emphasised the progress of agriculture is crucial for the progress of other sectors of human society.

  

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State Science and Technology (IC) Govt of India, highlighted the significant growth in agricultural practices in recent decades which attributed to the initiatives like agri-startups. The initiative has raised awareness among the youth and transformed traditional mindsets of the people. The use of technology in agriculture is expected to further enhance future practices.

  

Speaking on the occasion, The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Chaudhary said that it is a matter of pride that today India is the world's largest producer of milk and pulses, second largest producer of rice, wheat, vegetables, fruits and fish. Horticulture production has overtaken food grain production, and proper management can ensure food and nutrition security in the country. A total of 731 Agricultural Science Centers located across the country are working for the betterment of the agricultural sector.

  

Shri. Dharmpal Singh, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted that farmers are the economic backbone of India and agriculture is the most important tool for measuring the GDP of India. He emphasised on improving cow varieties by providing high-breed cow siemens to animal farmers at no cost.

Shri. Mhathung Yanthan, Minister of Agriculture, Govt of Nagaland, highlighted the challenges faced in hilly agricultural practices. He stated that 70% of the population is engaged in farming, out of which 75% are practicing shifting agriculture. The Minister urged the need for detailed research on shifting agriculture.

    

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), briefed about the previous year’s achievements of Indian Council for Agricultural Research. He highlighted the successful release of 314 food grain varieties, including 289 climate-resilient and 27 bio-fortified varieties. Basmati Rice production reached an all-time high during 2023-24 with 90% variety coming from the four ICAR-developed varieties.

Shri. Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR), earlier in his inaugural speech said that India is an agro-based economy, with 55% of the workforce engaged in agriculture, contributing 17-18% to the country's GDP. The Indian Council for Agricultural Research has provided technological support to the sector in times of challenges He further added that more than 90% of total basmati rice varieties are produced by ICAR.

Ms. Alka Nangia Arora, Additional secretary (DARE) & Financial Advisor (ICAR), General Body members of ICAR Societies, Senior officials of ICAR Headquarters & Directors of ICAR Institutes were also present in the meeting.

The Dignitaries released the publications of ICAR and 24 varieties of 22 crops, which include paddy, wheat, maize, savan, ragi, mustard, soybean, sunflower, gram, arhar, lentil, moth, jute, tomato, okra, amaranth, beans, Contains Cucumber, Peas, Potato, Mushroom, Guava.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, New Delhi)