ICAR-CRIJAF celebrates its 71st Foundation Day

9th February 2023, Barrackpore

celebrated its 71st Foundation Day here today.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Swapan Kumar Datta, Vice Chancellor of Biswa Bangla University and former Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR applauded the commendable achievements and continuous efforts for the service of the jute farmers. Dr. Datta said decoding of jute genome information will open new opportunities to develop designer jute with all desirable traits and climate resiliency. He appreciated the institute for putting excellent effort in increasing the visibility of the institute among the related stakeholders.

Dr B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore told that every institute should develop linkage with farmers the way ICAR-CRIJAF has done. He emphasised joint programme with ICAR-CRIJAF will help the fishers to use the jute retting tanks for commercial aquaculture.

Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI said microplastics are the major pollutants in every ecosystem which can only be replaced by promoting jute-based diversified products and CRIJAF has already made a mark in this direction.

Dr Timir Baran Jha, Former Head, Presidency University said the Institute achieved breakthroughs in research and technology development for the betterment of jute farmers and industries.

Shri  Debdut Mukherjee, Asst. Director, National Jute Board, reiterated NJB’s strong linkage with ICAR-CRIJAF in the popularization of new technologies for jute cultivation as well as economic empowerment of farm women through collaborative programmes.

Earlier, Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF briefed about the golden history, major achievements, varieties, and technologies developed by the institute to resolve the bottlenecks and problems faced by the jute farmers. He also highlighted the role of these crops beyond fibre yielders as ideal candidate crops for ecosystem service, nutraceuticals and other by-products. Dr Kar mentioned that the reorientation of the research project in programme mode for need-based, problem-solving research for technology development can break the yield barrier and bridge the yield gap.  Besides, he emphasized the importance and special initiatives of the institute in facilitating the formation of jute-based Self Help Groups and Farmers’ Producers Organizations. Training on manufacturing value-added jute diversified products will encourage entrepreneurship and ensure higher income for farmers and other stakeholders engaged in jute sector, he added.

The dignitaries inaugurated an exhibition displaying proven technologies developed by CRIJAF, KVKs and SHGs.

The industries involved in commercialization of ICAR-CRIJAF Technologies and SHGs with good performance were felicitated in this occasion.

The programme was attended by delegates from academic institutions, Industry, Govt. Institutions, ICAR Institutes and Regional Stations, farmers, SHG members, staff of the institute and Media persons. The proven technologies of ICAR-CRIJAF, KVKs, products of SHGs and FPOs were showcased in different exhibition stalls for the benefit of all the stakeholders and farmers.

(Source: ICAR- Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore)