Annual Review Workshop of Farmers’ FIRST Programme

17^th June, 2020, New Delhi

The two-day “Virtual Annual Review Workshop of Farmers’ FIRST Programme (17^th - 18^th June, 2020)” organized by the Agricultural Extension Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research was inaugurated today.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) stressed on documentation and economic analysis of the intervention under FFP. Dr. Mohapatra also accentuated a paradigm shift from production-centric to post-production and markets-centric approach for enhancing the farmers’ income. “Agriculture should be made profitable to attract the youths towards agriculture as a career option”, added Dr. Mohapatra.

Dr. Mohapatra urged to take into account the farmers’ perspectives and innovations while implementing the project. He stressed that the Project should be focused towards benefiting the farmers. He emphasized for the convergence of Farmers’ FIRST Programme with the Government schemes like Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, etc.

He stressed that gender should be brought to mainstream to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Demonstration of the latest technologies with the responsible extension strategy at the grassroots level will help in realizing doubling the farmers’ income by 2022 said the Director General. He called upon all the Principal Investigators, Co-Principal Investigators and Directors of ICAR Institutes along with Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities to own the Project in letter and spirit.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR briefed about the Farmer FIRST Programme.

Dr. V.P. Chahal, ADG, (Agricultural Extension), ICAR proposed the vote of thanks.

The Workshop registered a total participation by 140 participants.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, New Delhi)