The ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru organized the 26th Meeting of ICAR-Regional Committee - VIII from 6th - 7th September, 2019.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) stated that the country has become self-sufficient in pulses production just in last 3 years and has crossed a record production of 25 million tonnes from 16 million tonnes.
The Director General highlighted that an improved variety in sugarcane viz., C0-238 has been the best example of disruptive technology which has increased the sugar production from 60 MT/ha to 80 MT/ha in Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Mohapatra mentioned about the successes of mixed cropping in Kerala and Millets in Karnataka besides efforts of ICAR Institutes in providing the fact sheets on the impact of the agro-technologies in monetary terms.
Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) & Director, ICAR-IARI and Nodal Officer of ICAR-Regional Committee - VIII briefed about the progress made in the region during the last two years. He also highlighted the orientation towards the ecosystem farming with lesser use of fertilizers and chemicals for the environmental safety.
Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural & Crop Science) highlighted the ICAR-IIHR’s contributions in the various facets. He envisioned achieving the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of achieving the export of horticultural products to the tune of 30-60 million dollars with the advanced Horticultural technologies.
Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries & Animal Sciences) highlighted the ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities’ efforts for achieving the increase in farmer’s income and reduction in losses. The losses in fishers have been reduced from 15 MT to less than 4MT.
While addressing the gathering, Dr. Alagusundaram Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering and NRM) opined that climate change pose serious challenges, especially threats by changes in abiotic and biotic factors.
Dr. D.K. Singh I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary and Agricultural Production Commissioner, Government of Kerala highlighted the participation of all stakeholders for the synergy in the thought process and action plan implementation.
Shri Bimbadhar Pradhan, Additional Secretary & Finance Advisor, DARE/ICAR emphasized on the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s two important vision points - Doubling the farmer’s income and achieving the 5 trillion economy.
During the deliberations, attempts were made to inform the technologies generated by ICAR and SAUs to various agricultural and allied departments of the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, UT's of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
Earlier, Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute and Member Secretary of the Regional Committee-VIII welcomed the dignitaries.
The Members of ICAR Governing Body, Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities, Senior Officials of ICAR and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare were present during the occasion.
