Union Minister of Agriculture Lauded the work of ICAR Institutes in Bihar

Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture, Government of India, visited ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna today. He lauded the work and technologies developed by the complex and hoped that this will lead to 2nd Green Revolution in the eastern region of the country. He also expressed his satisfaction over the increase in rice production in the region in spite of several natural disasters in this part during last three years. Minister emphasized the need for strengthening the makhana and fishery research. He desired that research on maize in Bihar should get due importance and Maize Research Centre located at Begusarai (Bihar) should work more in collaboration with other agencies.

Problems related to post harvest and marketing of litchi were also discussed and Minister urged scientists of NRC Litchi to explore the possibilities of marketing with involvement of private partners and entrepreneurs. He assured that initiatives would be taken to get land for developing training centre for capacity building in litchi cultivation and production of quality planting material.

On this occasion, two bulletins on “Composite Fish Culture” and “Soil Health Card”, were realesed by the Minister of Agriculture for farmers and field functionaries.

Earlier, Dr B.P. Bhatt, Director, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna welcomed Minister and other dignitaries and briefed about activities of the Institute.

Dr M.L. Chaudhary, VC, BAU, Sabour, Dr R.K. Mittal, VC, RAU, Pusa, Dr A.K. Singh, ZPD, Zone II, Kolkata, Director I/c NRC Litchi, Head, IARI Regional Station, Pusa, Head, Sugarcane Research Institute, I/c Maize Research Begusarai, Head, CPRS, Patna and scientists of these Institutes participated in the programme.

(Source: ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna)