National Group Meeting of ICAR-AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization

26-27 September 2022, Virtual Mode

All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilization, Jhansi organized its National Group Meeting Rabi-2022-23 during 26-27 September 2022, in virtual mode. Six technical sessions, ‘Varietal Identification Committee meeting’ and ‘Plenary session’ were held during the meet. About 140 Scientists from different departments including private companies participated in the meeting.

The I Technical session, ‘review of progress and work done during the year 2021-22’ was chaired by Dr. T. R. Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR. Dr. R. K. Singh, ADG (CC & FFC), ICAR and Dr. Amaresh Chandra, Director ICAR-IGFRI Jhansi were co-chairman. Dr A. Chandra explained various activities and initiatives taken by IGFRI, especially the preparation of state fodder plan and use of drone technology in reseeding the grasslands.

Project Coordinator Dr. A. K. Roy presented the achievements of AICRP for the last 5 years and various activities executed by AICRP on forage crops during the year. He highlighted the maintenance of ‘Golden Jubilee Forage Garden’ at 54 institutions across the country, and a new initiative taken in celebration of ‘National Forage Day’ on 9th September simultaneously at 38 locations across the country. He highlighted the identification of 65 varieties, 42 crop production and 12 crop protection technologies during the last 5 years.

Dr. Rahul Kapoor, Dr.  R. K. Agarwal and Dr. Ashlesha Atri, presented the summary of activities and achievements being carried out at different centres in rabi fodder crops for crop improvement, Crop production and crop protection respectively.

Dr. R. K. Singh stressed upon the need of adoption of new approaches especially in breeding programmes and to strengthen the extension activities for popularizing the new technologies.  He advised that the problems encountered by the centers should be suitably addressed and closely monitor the centres for optimum output.

Dr. T. R. Sharma emphasized that nutritious fodder in ample quantities is key to sustained livestock production and to the rural economy. He appreciated the achievements of AICRP in maintaining Golden Jubilee Forage Garden, observance of National Forage Day, awards and recognitions earned by AICRP scientists, and publications of various books encompassing all the activities of AICRP Forage during the last 50 years. Development of biofortified fodder varieties, Genomics assisted breeding for water use efficient and nutrient use efficient lines, varieties for specific niches to fit in food-fodder cropping sequences, pre breeding for breaking the yield plateau, varieties suitable for mechanical harvesting  should be the future thrust areas.

In the ‘Varietal Identification Committee’ meeting chaired by Dr. T. R. Sharma, DDG (CS), ICAR, 5 varieties in 3 forage crops namely Lucerne, Berseem, Oat were identified for release in specified zones.

Plenary session was chaired by Dr. S. K. Chaturvedi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, RLBCAU, Jhansi. The chairman highlighted the need of FLDs, seed hub, and extension activities to popularize the new technologies and address the forage seed shortage. The recommendations of various sessions were presented and accepted after modifications. Five crop production and two crop protection technologies were also identified for inclusion in the package of practices of respective states. The release of publications, award and felicitation of superannuating scientists were done in the session.

(Source: Project Coordinating Unit, AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi)