Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities & Directors of ICAR Institutes organized

31^st January, 2019, NASC Complex, New Delhi

The “Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities & Directors of ICAR Institutes” is being organized at National Agricultural Science Centre Complex from 30^th January to 1^st February - 2019.

  

Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India in his inaugural address elaborated and remarked the present Government’s initiatives to promote the agricultural research works along with enhancing the agricultural education sector and increasing the farmers’ income.

He mentioned the main aim of the government is to increase the production and productivity along with strengthening the Indian farmer. The various accolades achieved by the Agricultural Universities and ICAR have resulted in betterment of the country’s agricultural system, which has further helped to increase the agricultural production of the country in a long term. This includes the increase in income of farmers’ residing in far flung areas of the country as well.

The Minister also discussed about the various steps being taken by the Agricultural Universities and ICAR to double up the farmers’ income by the Year - 2022. He shared that a special emphasis is being given on making the Indian agricultural field to be more durable and efficient. He elaborated that various steps are being taken for promoting single and combined farming practices system, building new institutions, human resource management, diversification of agriculture and providing new opportunities along with developing  new technologies for the dissemination of information with a special emphasis.

The Minister applauded the achievements being made by the various KVKs around the country. He assured that the module that has been prepared for 15 arid agricultural areas is going to benefit the farmers’ residing in the small and far flung areas of the country.

Citing the examples of progress and transformation of Indian agricultural field by the joint efforts of Ministry of Agriculture, ICAR and Agricultural Universities and underlining the possible steps to be taken in the future, the Minister encouraged the various Vice-Chancellors and Directors of different ICAR Institutes and other Agricultural Universities.

The Minister also appreciated the ICAR team’s efforts for participating second time in a row in the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath. He also applauded the team on working hard to get the ICAR’s Tableau to be adjudged with the First Prize.

Smt. Krishna Raj, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare applauded the various Agricultural Universities’ and ICAR’s joint efforts for making the country a self-sufficient in the field of agriculture and farming. While citing the examples of Green Revolution, Sweet Revolution, White Revolution and Blue Revolution, she also stressed on giving attention on animal husbandry as well. The Minister also urged the people to adopt and progress in the field of Brown Revolution in order to benefit the farmers and ensure animal’s safety.

Shri Gajendra S.S., Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India also marked his presence during the programme.

 

In his welcome address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) underlined the major achievements of ICAR.  Dr. Mohapatra also underlined the increase in production of horticulture to about 315 million tonnes till date under the aegis of ICAR with the support of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. In his address, Dr. Mohapatra also applauded the ICAR team for bagging the First Prize for Tableau in Republic Day Parade - 2019.

Shri Radha Mohan Singh felicitated Padmashree Awarded, Dr. B.S. Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University. The Minister also conferred Post Graduate Awards to various Agricultural Universities. In a row, the ICAR also bagged the felicitation award for producing the “Best ICAR Annual Report”.

 

The Minister also launched the online portals of DARE-ICAR Foreign Visit Management System (FVMS) Module, Human Resource Management - Training Management Information System (TMIS), Video CD on Tubers developed by the Central Tobacco Research Institute, Anantpuram and the “”VET MICRO” Mobile App developed by the TANUVAS, Tamil Nadu. The Student Ready Publication was also released on the occasion. 

Shri Sushil Kumar, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education) and Shri Chhabilendra Roul, Secretary (Fertilizers), Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India along with other dignitaries and Directors of various institutes of ICAR also marked their presence during the occasion.

Shri Bimbadhar Pradhan, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor presented the vote of thanks during the occasion.

(Source: National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi)