Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) celebrated its 93rd foundation day virtually on July 16, 2021. As part of the celebration, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ WelfareMinister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Electronics & Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav jointly launched ‘Kisan Sarathi’, a digital platform to facilitate farmers to get ‘right information at right time’ in their desired language.
Tomar announced awards in various categories and released the publications of ICAR in the presence of Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, Union MoS for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Kailash Choudhary and Shobha Karandlaje.
Congratulating the ICAR on its achievements, Tomar said that the commendable works carried out in the various fields of agricultural and allied sciences by the Council’s untiring scientists and farmers are a real honour for the country. He emphasised the agricultural sector’s capability to meet the targets of the essential food crops even during the challenging times of Covid-19.
Tomar urged for a collective approach for developing technologies in effectively solving various problems and challenges facing the farming community. He applauded the Council’s initiatives to make the country an exporter of various food crops and ensure nutritional security. He also outlined the active participation by more than 400 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the “Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav” programme initiated by the Council to commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence.
The Union Minister outlined the Central Government’s farmers’-friendly Schemes like Lab-to-Land, Water to every Agricultural land, Per Drop More Crop, etc., that are aimed at accelerating the progress of the agricultural sector and transforming the farm sector of the country. He stressed on promoting integrated farming along with organic and natural farming practices. Tomar emphasised creating a new synergy between research and education to contribute in the process of nation-building. He also emphasised that the New Farm Bills will not only bring revolutionary transformation in the agricultural sector, but also enhance farmers’ livelihood options, according to a PIB release. Union Minister Rupala advised ICAR to develop a digital platform for the animal husbandry and fisheries sector on the model of ‘Kisan Saarathi’.
Vaishanav, in his address, mentioned that with the digital platform ‘Kisan Saarathi, the farmers can interact and avail personalised advisories on agriculture and allied areas directly from the respective scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs). He asked the ICAR Scientists to take up research on new technological interventions in the area of transportation of farmer’s crops from their farm gate to warehouses, markets and the places where they want to sell with minimum damage.
The Union IT Minister assured that Ministry of Electronics and IT and Ministry of Communications will always be ready to provide all necessary support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for the empowerment of farmers. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Railways is making a plan to minimise the time taken for the transportation of crops.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), underlined the various activities carried out, working styles and achievements of the Council. The various National and International Events organised, Schemes initiated and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the last one year were also highlighted in the DG’s address. Dr Mohapatra stressed on the Council’s commitment to provide higher education in the agricultural arena, carry out new researches, identify the latest domestic varieties, initiating new technological advancements to narrow the gap of lab-to-land and to provide prompt solutions to various problems faced by the farmers.
The ICAR conferred 16 Awards in 4 major categories including the “National Award for outstanding contributions for Agricultural Institutes”, “National Award for outstanding contributions in Agricultural Researches”, “National Award for Application of Agricultural Technologies” and “National Award for Innovation and Technology Development by Farmers” on the occasion.
The dignitaries virtually felicitated about 60 Awardees in 16 different categories. The Awards included 4 ICAR Institutes, 1 All India Coordinated Research Project, 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 39 Scientists and 11 Farmers. Apart from the Awards, the Hindi Rajbhasha Awards in the various categories were also conferred during the occasion.