DG (ICAR) Reviews Strategies for intensification of rice fallow in Assam

Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) visited ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Guwahati today.

Dr Jat held detailed interactions under Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on “Promotion of Rapeseed-Mustard in Rice Fallows of Assam” and “Promotion of Millet Technologies” with scientists and Heads of ICAR institutes, ICAR-ATARI officials, KVK scientists from various districts, representatives of State Departments of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, FPOs/FPCs, and progressive farmers. During the interaction, he underscored that inadequate seed availability remains the foremost constraint and called for its resolution through farmer-participatory seed systems, promotion of seed villages, and efficient utilization of seed processing infrastructure. He drew attention to the significant untapped potential of rice fallow areas, particularly for toria and mustard, and advocated a cluster-based approach to concurrently address challenges related to seed supply, moisture management, mechanization, and post-harvest operations, including the establishment of community-level dryers.

DG ICAR urged large-scale adoption of proven mechanization tools such as mustard planters and enhancement of public-sector hybrid seed availability, especially for maize, through innovative seed production strategies. He stressed the need for alignment of District and State Mustard Missions with ICAR initiatives to ensure strategic use of resources and measurable outcomes. Strengthening convergence among ICAR, State Departments, universities, FPOs, and farmers was repeatedly emphasized, with a clear message that sustainable progress can only be achieved through coordinated, team-based efforts focused on outcomes rather than isolated activities.

Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Guwahati presented a comprehensive overview of the achievements and ongoing initiatives of ATARI Zone–VI. He highlighted the efforts being undertaken to bring large rice fallow areas of Assam under productive cultivation through promotion of toria, maize, potato, and lentil, and outlined the role of KVKs in technology dissemination and capacity building.

The meeting was attended by Dr. A.K. Nayak, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR; Dr. B.C. Deka, Vice Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University and Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), along with scientists and officials from ICAR institutes, Assam Agricultural University, the State Agriculture Department, Senior Scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and progressive farmers.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone VI, Guwahati)