Virtual National Group Meeting of ICAR-AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization organized

20^th September, 2021, Jhansi

The All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilization, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh organized its “Virtual National Group Meeting on Rabi-2021-22” today.

In his address, Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR stressed on the need for reducing the existing gap between the fodder demand and supply in the country through technological use. The need for strengthening the pre-breeding activities for broadening the genetic base and breaking the yield barrier of the existing old forage varieties was also emphasized in Dr. Sharma’s address.

Dr. A.K. Roy, Project Coordinator briefed about the Project, salient achievements during 2017-21, summary of activities carried out during the Rabi 2020-21 and the new initiatives for future programmes. He highlighted the release of 51 Forage varieties, 37 Production and 11 Protection Technologies during the SFC Period of 2017-21.

A total of 9 new varieties including 3 each in Berseem, Multi-cut Fodder Summer Bajra and Fodder Oats under the different cutting management for the different zones were identified for release in the Varietal Identification Committee Meeting held during the occasion.

More than 150 participants including the Senior Officials from ICAR; Ministry of Animal Husbandry & Dairying; National Dairy Development Board; Directors and Project Coordinators of ICAR, Representatives of Private Sectors, Scientists of ICAR-AICRP Centers and other ICAR Institutes participated in the Meeting.

(Source: All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilization, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh)