National Group Meeting of AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization

26-27th February 2019, Raipur

The National Group Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilization was inaugurated on 26th February, 2019 at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh).

Dr. S. K. Patil, Vice Chancellor, IGKV, Raipur welcomed the delegates and presented achievements of University for the farming community especially in the forage crops. He highlighted the need of forage resources and improved technologies for enhancing the livelihood options and increasing the farmer’s income in Chhattisgarh.

Dr. Vinay Jaiswal (MLA, Manendragarh, Chhattisgarh) and Smt. Anita Yogendra Sharma (MLA, Dharsiwan, Chhattisgarh) highlighted the importance of forages and animal husbandry especially with reference to Chhattisgarh. They briefed about the state government policies to develop cow shelters and grassland in each village panchayat which is being implemented. They emphasized on the use of technologies developed by research organizations to produce more forages for these livestock. The need of conservation of surplus fodder for lean period was also highlighted.

Dr. R. K. Singh, ADG (CC & FFC), ICAR highlighted the achievements of NARS scientists in increasing the overall agricultural output in last few decades. He stressed upon need of disseminating new technologies to the actual users for increasing livestock outputs both in terms of quality as well as quantity. He highlighted need of more collaboration between various agencies for awareness of different stakeholders.

Dr. Khem Chand, Director, ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi highlighted the technologies developed and successfully demonstrated by IGFRI in various parts of the country to rejuvenate the grassland and pasture lands to bridge the demand and supply gap of forage availability.

Dr. A. K. Roy, Project Coordinator, AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization presented the brief introduction of the AICRP, Salient achievements during last 5 years period and summary of activities and results of the trials carried out in Kharif 2018.

Various publications were released which included the Annual Report of AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, and extension bulletins in regional languages by different AICRP centers. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to BCKV, Kalyani and IGKV, Raipur AICRP centers for their outstanding contribution.

Fourteen varieties in 9 forage crops including cultivated forage crops, range grasses and legumes were identified for release in different zones of the country.

(Source: All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilization)