Vision of self-reliant India and global welfare are the two sides of the same coin: Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra unveils Curtain Raiser of Agricultural Scientists’ Meet

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) virtually addressed the press and media representatives along with the participants during the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the “Agricultural Scientists’ Meet” under the aegis of the “India International Science Festival (IISF) - 2020” held today.

Highlighting this year’s theme of the Festival, the Director General emphasized that the vision of Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare are the two sides of the same coin and are inter-related with each other. He outlined the pivotal roles played by the technologies in making the country to be self-reliant in various fields of agriculture. He emphasized on the importance of sustainable agriculture and production in the country.

Dr. Mohapatra urged the scientists to work towards making the country self-reliant in the field of edible oils production along with making it an exporter in place of importer of the same. He also opined for adopting several measures to deal with the impacts of climate change. The DG regarded the Farmers’-Scientists’-Interaction as one of the pivotal elements to efficiently and effectively resolve the various challenges that are faced in the agricultural and farming fields. The Director General urged the agricultural community to advance their research to make the country able to feed the global population with nutritious food.

Dr. Mohapatra lauded the various pivotal roles played by the farmers and the agricultural scientists to maintain the supply of the essential food crops during the challenging times of COVID-19 Pandemic. He also underlined the various researches carried out by the scientists to enhance the traditional values of the spices to boost the immunity for fighting the deadliest CoronaVirus.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. B.S. Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab outlined about 42 events to be held during the 6^th India International Science Festival - 2020. Dr. Dhillon regarded the policy framework as one of the essential elements to achieve the targets effectively. He emphasized on holding the Farmers’-Scientists’-Interaction Meets on a regular basis to provide them a chance to discuss and come out with effective solutions to the various problems being faced. This, he regarded as a golden opportunity to demonstrate and disseminate the latest technologies developed to the farmers more effectively. He also urged to enhance the linkages between the farmers and the markets. The Vice-Chancellor applauded the Krishi Vigyan Kendras’ pivotal roles in disseminating the latest technologies developed and addressing the farmers’ problems effectively. Dr. Dhillon also highlighted the total registration by 1,500 participants for the festival. He outlined the commendable works done by the scientists and farmers from harvesting of Rabi crop to translating the Paddy in Punjab during the lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic. He depicted the connection between culture and self reliance.

In his welcome address, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR outlined the main objective of the festival to provide the farmers and the agricultural scientists along with other agricultural experts and aspirants to share and exchange their expertise with each other on a single platform. Dr. Singh stressed on enhancing the production along with protecting the resources wisely. He emphasized on the aim of the agricultural community to be the welfare of all. The Deputy Director General clearly spent out the objectives of the Agricultural Scientists’ Meet that included Synergism and trade-off in sustainable agriculture, Natural Resource Management: Challenges and policy framework, Innovations in agriculture and Interaction with lead farmers.

Earlier, Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab briefed about the five-day programmes to be held during the 6^th India International Science festival - 2020.

The 6^th Edition of India International Science Festival - 2020 with the theme “Science for Self-reliant India and Global Welfare” to be virtually organized from 22^nd to 25^th December, 2020 will provide the agricultural scientists, farmers and students with a chance to interact and exchange their expertise with the experts from across the globe.

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