28 May 2025, New Delhi
The 32nd Dr. B.P. Pal Memorial Lecture was held today, at the Agricultural Engineering Division Auditorium of ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The event was organized by the Genetics Club and The Graduate School of ICAR-IARI to honor the legacy of Dr. B.P. Pal, a pioneering agricultural scientist and visionary leader whose contributions laid the foundation for modern Indian agriculture.
Delivering the memorial lecture, Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) spoke on the theme “Transitioning from Commodity-centric Agriculture to Agri-Food Systems is a Must for Viksit Bharat @2047.”
He emphasized that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 will require empowering youth, women, farmers, and the poor through a solid foundation in agricultural science, innovation, and extension. He underscored the urgent need to address pressing challenges such as environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and nutritional insecurity by adopting a systemic and inclusive approach. Dr. Jat outlined several strategic priorities, including the strengthening of local food systems, promotion of climate-resilient and regenerative landscapes, encouragement of demand- and market-driven research, establishment of specialized farming zones to reduce climate risks and improve market access, and the need for cross-sectoral convergence through quality science and the One Health framework.
Calling for a paradigm shift in Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D), Dr. Jat stressed the importance of aligning scientific goals with national development objectives. He stressed for transdisciplinary research, integration of AI/ML, system-based co-creative innovations, and a robust data ecosystem. The DG further highlighted the importance of ‘breeding for tomorrow,’ development of quality human resources, strengthening of agricultural education, tech-enabled extension services, and the creation of actionable business plans aligned with the goals of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Dr. R.S. Paroda, Chairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) and Former Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, chaired the session and reinforced the need for immediate action and a systems approach to agricultural transformation. He emphasized the role of a strong agricultural education framework and collaborative efforts to ensure lasting impact.
Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director and Vice Chancellor, ICAR-IARI, spoke about Dr. Pal’s monumental contributions to Indian agriculture.
The lecture was attended by scientists, faculty members, and students from ICAR-IARI and its sister institutes, including NBPGR, NIIPM, NIAP, and NIPB.
(Source: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)
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