Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) inaugurates the Administrative Building of ICAR-CRIJAF-KVK

19th January 2024, Barrackpore

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), visited ICAR- Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore today for the inaugration of the Administrative Building of ICAR-CRIJAF-KVK, North-24 Parganas.

Dr. Pathak interacted with the members of SHG groups. He accentuated the efforts of ICAR-CRIJAF in elevating the skill of women SHG members and transforming their capability to be self-reliant in earning off-farm income by making jute diversified products. Dr. Pathak emphasised that jute and other natural fibres are the befitting alternatives to the non-biodegradable plastics which can replace the single use plastics.

Dr. Pathak emphasised the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in creating employment opportunities for farmers, farm women, SHG members, and scientists. He praised the new KVK for its role in serving the local farming community and expressed satisfaction with the promotion and outreach of ICAR-CRIJAF technologies. Dr. Pathak praised the institute's efforts in research, outreach, education, training, and skill development.

Dr. Pathak interacted with the KVK personnel and urged them to be more positive in their effort and attitude for serving the farming community in the best possible way. He applauded the institute's Director and staff for recent developments and encouraged them to be more vibrant in their activities. Dr. Pathak also visited the institute's Skill Development Centre, Fibre Museum, and Exhibition Hall, where viable technologies and diversified products were showcased. He also visited IARI-Kolkata Educational Hub and interacted with students.

Earlier, Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, briefed about the achievements of the institute and future plan for boosting the jute sector for national development. He emphasised the technologies commercialised by the institute and its impact on improving the productivity and quality of jute fibre. Dr. Kar urged the farmers to utilize the facilities created for them. The firms commercializing ICAR-CRIJAF technologies exchanged MoUs for commercialization of tractor-drawn jute seeder and jute ribboner.

Around 400 participants including farmers, farm women, SHG members, scientists, ICAR institute personnel participated in the programme.

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