Prime Minister Unveils Foundation Stone of IARI-Jharkhand

In his captivating address, Shri Modi emphasized research is important in the agriculture sector and this cannot happen only in one place. He said that revolution in agriculture can take place in Eastern UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam...the eastern part of India. He said that amid rising population and increasingly fragmented land-holdings, the need of the hour for the nation is a second green revolution without any delay, which could only happen in eastern India.

The Prime Minister said proper research was required in all agro climatic zones of the country. This would ensure best results, as well as greater acceptability among farmers. He said this required the spread of agricultural research and education in various regions.

The Prime Minister said animal husbandry and fisheries were equally important for the agriculture sector. He laid stress on the importance of raising productivity in the dairy sector. He said the Government had decided to pay special attention to the dairy sector in Jharkhand.

Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Governor of Jharkhand also graced the occasion.

Shri Raghubar Das, Chief Minister of Jharkhand, in his speech, said people of Jharkhand are grateful to Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister for making Jharkhand central point for progress of agriculture in Eastern States of India.

Earlier, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture welcomed Hon'ble Prime Minister, dignitaries and the large audience. He said that 1000 acre land has been given by Jharkhand Government for this purpose. Agriculture Minister informed that estimated expenditure will be around Rs 1000 crore. Shri Singh also mentioned that Jharkhand has been included in the National Dairy Plan.

Shri Randhir Kumar Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Sugarcane Development, Government of Jharkhand was also present on the occasion.

Shri Jayant Sinha, Union Minister of State for Finance proposed vote of thanks.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of Jharkhand and large number of farmers from Jharkhand and neighbouring states participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony.

Concurrently a two-day exhibition is also organized to showcase agricultural technologies, knowledge products and services useful to farmers. Research Institutes of ICAR and Institutions under Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and Government of Jharkhand are participating in the exhibition.

IARI-Jharkhand

IARI-Jharkhand is being established in a sprawling campus of 1000 acres of land in village Goriya Karma with a mission to achieve inclusive agricultural growth through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) approach and multi-disciplinary research. The institute will attract the cream of post graduate and doctoral students from all over India and abroad to conduct region specific research. The major regional challenges will be addressed through prioritized thrust areas of research, integrated with post-graduate education and extension programs. It will help usher in Evergreen Revolution for productive, profitable and sustainable agriculture ensuring total prosperity in the eastern region. This would also develop ancillary industries for rural employment and economic empowerment.

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