Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and Directors of ICAR Institutes

NEW DELHI:  Mohanbhai Kundariya, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Chief Guest of the event inaugurated 3-day Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and Directors of ICAR Institutes here today.

In his inaugural address, he emphasized on the need to develop technological interventions for cutting the cost of cultivation and increasing the agricultural production. Livelihood of farmers and their prosperity must be kept in mind when programmes for agricultural growth and development are formulated, he added. While lauding the role of KVKs in extension of technologies to fields, he suggested to organize Krishi Melas during Kharif and Rabi seasons for farmers knowledge empowerment and also advised scientists to act upon their problems.  Kundariya urged scientists to work for meeting the challenges such as natural calamities and low production of some of the commodities. He hoped that the deliberations will pave the way for farm and farmers’ prosperity.

The Chief Guest conferred Raj Bhasha Awards to ICAR Institutes; Best KVK Awards for National and Zonal levels; and Outstanding ICAR Annual Report Awards. He along with other dignitaries released ICAR Books and CDs.

Earlier, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR welcomed the Chief Guest and dignitaries, and emphasized on the importance of the Conference by highlighting the role of partnership of ICAR Institutes with Agricultural Universities. He assured Chief Guest that National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) has taken proactive steps to cope up with new challenges before agriculture.

Dr. Gurbachan Singh, Chairman, ASRB;  P.K. Pujari, Special Secretary and FA (DARE/ICAR);  R. Rajagopal, Addl. Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; Dr. Arvind Kumar, DDG, Education; Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG, Agricultural Extension; Dr. M.L. Choudhary, President, IAUA; and Dr. Shiv Prasad Kimothi, ADG, TC, graced the dais.

The Annual Conference is organized by ICAR with an objective to deliberate and develop a consensus on issues and reforms related to agricultural research, education and extension systems for smooth and effective functioning of NARES. It provides an excellence opportunity for developing an effective interface between agricultural universities, ICAR Institutes and ICAR administration.

Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities, Deputy Directors General, Directors of ICAR Institutes, Zonal Project Directors and Seniors officials of ICAR are participating in the event.

Dr. Sanjeev Saxena, Principal Scientist, Agrinnovate India, proposed the vote of thanks.