ICAR Foundation and Technology Day 2024 Inaugurated by Agriculture Minister
Agriculture is the soul of Indian economy and farmers are its backbone: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Agriculture and agriculture related sectors will play an important role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to make India developed by 2047: Chouhan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's goal is to reach number 1 in the world in milk export, work on that: Rajiv Ranjan Singh
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the 96th Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Foundation and Technology Day 2024 in New Delhi today. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, and Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Chaudhary and Ram Nath Thakur, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Minority Affairs George Kurien, and Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj S.P. Singh Baghel, and Secretary (Department of Agricultural Research and Education) & Director General (ICAR) Himanshu Pathak were also present on the occasion.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted a sapling along with agricultural scientists, officers, and employees of the institute on the occasion of ICAR's 96th Foundation and Technology Day. Union Ministers and State Ministers inaugurated the exhibition organized as part of the celebrations.
On this occasion, the Union Ministers released 25 varieties of crops and dedicated various products to farmers, including vaccine kits for animal and fisheries, and products made from crop waste. Scientists were also felicitated, and several ICAR publications were released.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized the importance of creating model farms for small-holding farmers and noted that agriculture is the soul of the Indian economy, with farmers being its backbone. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of doubling farmers' income and highlighted the need for diversified agriculture to achieve this.
Chouhan called for a practical application of scientific research, stating that the connection between farmers and scientists must be strengthened. He urged scientists to set targets and work towards achieving them within four years. He also stressed the need to increase production in animal husbandry, fish farming, wheat production, pulses, and oilseeds, and highlighted ICAR's development of 6,000 varieties, urging a focus on their practical use.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh emphasized the importance of implementing contracts signed with ICAR to benefit farmers. He noted that livestock and fisheries contribute 35 percent to the gross domestic production and called for attention to this sector to increase its contribution to over 50 percent. He highlighted India's second position in global fisheries and the goal of increasing annual export targets.
Ram Nath Thakur pointed out the need for better grain storage systems and non-toxic fertilizers, urging scientists to focus on these areas. S.P. Singh Baghel praised ICAR's work in both laboratories and fields, emphasizing the benefits of innovations like Nano Urea. Bhagirath Chaudhary stressed the importance of supporting farmers who feed 140 crore people and called for a digital revolution in agriculture.
George Kurien noted India's position as the second-largest fish producer globally. Himanshu Pathak highlighted ICAR's role in helping India become a global agri-exporter through technology use.