Union Minister of Agriculture lays foundation of IIAB at Ranchi

The Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, addressed senior Central and State Governments officials, organizations involved in development of the Institute, representatives of local administrative bodies and farmers. Lauding the ICAR for establishment of this new Institute in an area of about 120 acres with budget of Rs 287.5 crore under XII Five-Year Plan, he pointed out the importance of biotechnology research for development of resistant varieties especially in view of climate change. He also informed the audience about various central initiatives for agricultural development of the country as well as Jharkhand especially Agricultural Research Institute with a budget of Rs 500 crore for which land allocation from the State Government has been sought. He also informed that Jharkhand would be developed as the agricultural research capital for the eastern region. He dwelled at length on various agricultural development programmes for the country and the high importance to agriculture given by the present Government.

Dr S. Ayyappan (Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR) welcomed the audience and outlined the importance and role of the new Institute in the national agricultural research scenario.

(Source: IINRG,Ranchi)