88th Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society

Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and President of the ICAR Society said that despite difficult challenges being faced by ICAR in its working period of 87 years, it has attained many achievements and these achievements are the milestones of progress of agriculture. Increase in production and income, development of institutes, human resources, development of new techniques, agriculture diversification are the areas in which ICAR has established new standards of success. Agriculture Minister made this statement today in the 88th AGM of ICAR Society in NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.

Agriculture Minister said that Government is committed to double the income of farmers in five years. In this budget, holistic development of agriculture is the main focus in which to provide credit to farmers on affordable rates, assured supply of seeds and fertilisers, increase in irrigation facilities, increase in productivity through soil health cards, through E-nam assured market and providing profitable price has been emphasised.

He said that for the progress of agriculture and prosperity of farmers, Government has made many initiatives in the budget, In comparison to the budget last year, in the budget of year 2017-18, the fund for rural, agriculture and allied sectors has been incresed by 24%, it is now Rs. 1,87,223 crore. In the next financial year, it is estimated that the progress rate of agriculture sector will be 4.1%.

He said that because of a good monsoon and policy initiatives by the government, there is a record production of food grains this year. As per the second advance estimate for the year 2016-17, there would be a total of 271.98 million tonnes production of food grains which is 6.94 million tonnes compared to last records and for the year 2016-17 production of food grains is 20.41 million tonnes higher than last year production.

He said that during this rabi in comparison to last year 2015-16, we got more sowing has been done viz. 7.7% in wheat, 12.96% in pulses and 12.69% in oilseeds which is in total 6.86% more in comparison to last year. He said that Indian agriculture scientists have played a major role developing research and technology and bringing green revolution, and thereby in the development of agriculture. Since 1951, production of food grains has increased five times, horticulture production by 9.5 times, Fisheries production by 12.5 times, milk production by 7.8 times and egg production by 39 times. This has made a considerable impact on national food nutritional security. Our scientists have major role in increasing the excellence of higher agriculture education.

Agriculture Minister said that in the International Pulse Year 2016, 150 seed herbs of pulses have been established. Early maturing variety of moong "IPM 205-7(VIRAT)" has been released. The efforts for promoting research in agriculture sector have been remarkable in the last two and a half years. From the year 2012 to May, 2014, 261 new varieties of different crops have been released and from of June, 2014 to December, 2016, 437 new varieties have been released.

Agriculture Minister said that since agriculture is state subject, so State Agriculture ministers have an important role in its progress. On this occasion he appealed to all the representatives to develop scientists-state-farmer linkage and to work unitedly in coordination with centre for the prosperity of farmers and progress of agriculture.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra , Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) made a presentation on recent achievements of ICAR and elaborated the new initiatives and objectives of ICAR for addressing the emerging challenges of agriculture.

Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, Shri S.K. Singh, Additional Secretary, DARE and Financial Advisor, ICAR, Dr. Gurbachan Singh , Chairman (ASRB)were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Shri C. Roul, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR in his address welcomed the dignitaries.

Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Ministers of various States; Members of the Governing Body of the ICAR; Members of ICAR Society; representatives from national and international organizations and senior officials and scientists of ICAR and DAC participated in the AGM.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, New Delhi)