ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna celebrates its Foundation Day
22nd February 2023, Patna
The ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day today under the theme “Millets for Nutritional Security in Eastern India”.
The Chief Guest, Dr. N. Saravana Kumar, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Department of Animal & Fish Resources, Government of Bihar emphsised on strengthening collaborative research among ICAR, State Government, and Agricultural Universities for better research and technology promotion. He stressed the impact of climate change on agriculture and the need for promotion of climate-resilient crop production technology for supporting farmers. He also emphasized on development of measures for the utilization of wastelands for agricultural purposes. He exhorted to adopt new technologies for sustainable agriculture, 'Organic Corridor' for organic crop production, and inclusion of market facilities in the fourth road map of agriculture in Bihar for farmers adopting organic farming.
Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Vice Chancellor, BASU, Patna highlighted integrated nutrient and farming management, balance fertilization, precision agriculture and technologies for improvements in livestock production.
Dr. B.S. Mahapatra, Vice Chancellor, BCKV, Coochbehar emphasized the importance of millets production and processing as well as its nutritional benefits. He also stressed various resource conservation measures for sustainable use of natural resources and farmers livelihood.
Dr. Anjani Kumar, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Patna, Bihar emphasized the nutritional importance of millets and insisted on adopting millets in the Mid-day meal programs.
Dr. Bikas Das, Director, ICAR-NRC Litchi, Muzaffarpur urged to work in farming system mode for more sustainable and climate-ready agriculture.
Shri Anil Kumar Jha, Joint Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture and Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. of Bihar also address the gathering and appreciated the effort of the institute in bringing farmers from all eastern states on one platform and celebrating foundation day by inviting all other organizations.
Dr. Vilas A Tonapi, Former Director, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad delivered the Foundation Day Lecture on “India’s Millet Makeover: Current Status & Opportunities”. He highlighted the importance and nutritional composition of millets and emphasized the diversification of food plates with millets. He stressed on the need of mainstreaming millets for nutritional security and improved livelihoods. Dr. Tonapi also highlighted the future research thrusts for the improvement of millet yield potential, genetics and its processing.
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. Anup Das, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna congratulate the employee on the occasion of 23rd Foundation Day highlighted the major achievements of ICAR-RCER during the last one year.
Total 14 employees of the institute were awarded for their outstanding contributions during the year 2022. Around 56 Progressive Farmers from Eastern states viz. Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Eastern UP, Jharkhand Odisha and West Bengal were also felicitated for their contributions in agriculture during the occasion.
(Source: ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar)
