“An integrated approach is needed to solve farmers’ problems in the country. Keeping this mind, Government of India is now constructing on doubling farmers’ income till 2022,” said Mahadev Jankar, Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Development, Government of Maharashtra, during the inauguration of two-day ICAR-Regional Committee meeting held at Dr S K Raychaudhary Auditorium, NBSS&LUP, Amravati Road on Friday.

 

Addressing the gathering, Jankar said, “Jalayukta Shivar is a boon for agriculture sector in Maharashtra and the results are clearly visible in the state.”

 

Researchers in agriculture sector should do more work to increase farmer’s income and it will be a big challenge to achieve the target till 2022, Jankar added.

 

Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), in his presidential address highlighted about self-sufficiency in food production.

 

“Excess production has become a problem and we have to find solutions for utilisation of excess produce and convert them to other bye products or value addition,” said Dr Mohapatra during the event. ICAR chief highlighted the policy action taken to utilise excess production of sugar into bio-ethanol to address the issue of fuel.

 

Dr Sushil Kumar, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR and Bimbardhar Pradhan, Additional Secretary, Financial Advisor, DARE/ICAR were the guests of honour. Dr K Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General, Agricultural Engineering and Natural Resource Management, ICAR welcomed all the participants to the meeting and explained the background of constituting Regional Committees in different regions.

 

Various publications and souvenirs were inaugurated at the hands of the guests. Secretaries and directors of State Agricultural Departments, Vice-Chancellors of State Agriculture, Veterinary and Fishery Universities, Directors of ICAR Institutes and project co-ordinators, incharges of KVKs were present during the programme. Young researchers from African countries also attended the programme.

 

Dr S K Chaudhary, Assistant Director General (NRM), ICAR also shared the dais. Dr S K Singh, Director, ICAR-NBSS&LUP, Nagpur and Member Secretary proposed a vote of thanks.