20-22 April, 2020, New Delhi
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi conducted the “63rd Online Workshop of the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Maize” from 20th to 22nd April, 2020. The online workshop was organized to contain the spread of the deadliest Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19).
In his Plenary Session address through Video Conferencing, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) emphasized on the importance of ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab for carrying out the basic, strategic and applied research to enhance the crops’ production, productivity and its sustainability. Dr. Mohapatra stressed on the need for the ICAR-AICRP on Maize to play a leadership role for making maize a future crop of the country.
During the occasion, the Director General launched a Bilingual Mobile App “MAKKA” (Maize Agri-Knowledge and Knowhow App) for the benefit of farmers, industries and other stakeholders in maize.
Earlier, in his inaugural address on 20th April, 2020 through Video Conferencing, Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR stated that it is the first of its own kind online review workshop of any AICRPs of ICAR. Dr. Sharma emphasized that the Maize is a very important crop used as poultry and animal feed and raw material in starch industries besides, being used as food. He stated that the crop also has potential for green fuel (ethanol) production and cultivated in all states of the country. The DDG also highlighted about the popularity of speciality maize, viz., sweet corn, baby corn and popcorn that are being developed by the ICAR.
Dr. S.K Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR and Dr. P.K. Chakrabarty, Member, Agricultural Scientists’ Recruitment Board along with other senior officials of ICAR also attended the online workshop through Video Conferencing.
Around 8 new maize hybrids were identified as promising to be released in different seasons and agro-ecologies of the country during the workshop.
The Zero Tilled Maize after Rice, Green Seeker Sensor-based Nitrogen Management, Post Emergence Herbicide for Weed Control (Atrazine with Tembotrione / Topramezone at 15 days after sowing) were recommended to enhance the farm profitability, input use efficiency and reduce drudgery in maize production.
The Standard Operating Protocols (SOP) for the conduct of various research projects in ICAR-AICRP on Maize was finalized during the workshop.
Around 150 participants from various parts of the country representing both public and private sectors involved in Maize R&D participated in various sessions of the 63rd Annual Maize Workshop through Video Conferencing.
(Source: Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi)
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