Union Agriculture Minister chairs 93rd AGM of Indian Council of Agricultural Research Society
PM has encouraged farmers
and scientists to compete globally - Tomar
ICAR in collaboration with farmers and scientists has played a leading role in
creating food and nutritional security in the country
The 93rd Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society was organized at the
National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi here today.
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’
Welfare stated that committed for the betterment of the Indian Agriculture,
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has always encouraged the farmers and
scientists of the country to compete at the global level. This has led to the
steady increase in the export of agricultural products from India. Shri Tomar
said that the Prime Minister holds regular dialogues with the people associated
with the agriculture sector of the country including farmers and scientists.
Ensuring the better quality of the agricultural products has always been the
main concern of the PM.
Delivering his presidential address, the Union Minister Shri Tomar
underlined the establishment of the ICAR in 1929. The pivotal role played by
the Council through its research and technology development in creating the
food and nutritional security in the country with the untiring cooperation of
farmers and scientists over the Years was also highlighted by the Union
Minister. Shri Tomar underlined the record production of the food grains and
horticultural products in the country that has made us self-sufficient to meet
not only the domestic demands enabled to supply the same to the different
countries as well. “In terms of many agricultural products, India ranks first
or second in the world and we aim to establish the quality of our products and
our credibility as a trusted brand in the world”, said Tomar. The Union
Minister regarded the quality to be important for enabling the farmers to get
the fair prices for their products.
Tomar stated that the hard work of the farmers, efficient research of
scientists and farmers’-friendly policies of the government have led the Indian
Agriculture to grow even during the challenging times of COVID-19 Pandemic. He
urged the Council to start the preparations for its Centenary celebrations (in
the Year - 2029) at the national and international levels. Mentioning the
Indian Natural Farming Method, he also regarded the Waste-to-Wealth as the
principle of the nature.
Tomar said that while the ICAR is making the farmers aware of the new
techniques and methods, the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’
Welfare is committed to take forward the Digital Agriculture Mission. This, he
stated, will reduce the farmers’ cost of cultivation and increase the
facilities.
Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying urged for recognizing the local techniques of the small farmers. The
encouragement of the Cheese made from Banshi Gir Cow's Milk for the export was
also stressed by the Union Minister. Shri Rupala suggested the ICAR to get
benefitted from the upcoming 3 Events - G20 Conference, International Dairy
Programme and Jamnagar getting International recognition in Ayurveda.
Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture &
Farmers’ Welfare urged for working in pace with the visions of the Prime
Minister. He said that there is a scope for working in the field of
horticulture. Mentioning about a number of plants that are being imported, the
Minister urged for developing their varieties in the country itself. Choudhary
stressed on the need to make the new technologies available under the vision of
encouraging the Waste-to-Wealth.
Congratulating the Union Agriculture Minister, Ramesh Chand, Member,
NITI Aayog stated that in the current Financial Year, India’s Agricultural
exports have crossed 50 Billion Dollars. He said that there has been an
increase of about 22% in a single Year. He also suggested working by making a
systematic strategy for promoting the natural and organic farming.
Highlighting the Council’s Progress Report of the Year, Dr. Trilochan
Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) underlined the
development of 389 new varieties by the ICAR during the last Year. The DG
mentioned the focus on Crops and Pulses Varieties. Dr. Mohapatra stated that
the new researches in food crops and horticultural arenas have benefited the
country to a large extent.
Raghavji Patel, Cabinet Minister, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cow
Breeding, Government of Gujarat; Virender Kanwar, Minister of Agriculture,
Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Government of Himachal Pradesh and Tage Taki,
Minister Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture & Fisheries,
Government of Arunachal Pradesh were among the Guests of Honor during the
occasion.
The Members of ICAR Society; Members of ICAR Governing Body along with Sanjay
Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Sanjiv Kumar,
Financial Advisor (DARE) and Senior Officials & Scientists of ICAR were
also present during the occasion.
The Ministers released the various ICAR Publications and Products during
the occasion.
The Members suggested the ways to enhance the agricultural sector during
the occasion.