Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon’ble Governor, Telangana State inaugurated the “110th Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Service (FOCARs)” at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad.
In her inaugural address, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan highlighted the role of research in strengthening the agricultural production and efforts made towards achieving the goal of doubling the farmers’ income set by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India by the Year - 2022. Highlighting the achievements made in the foreign trade of milk and spices, she stressed on the innovative approaches that need to be adopted to enhance the livelihoods, food and nutrition security in the context of climate change, emergence of new pests and diseases, etc. She emphasized on carrying out the focused research and extension that can help to solve the issues associated with the country’s milk exports by meeting the international standards.
The Hon’ble Governor urged the young probationers to take the agriculture sector to the new heights and bring the second Green Revolution in the country. Soundararajan appreciated the Academy’s efforts taken for building the National Agricultural Research System’s capacity. The Chief Guest also released a Publication titled “Impact of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Capacity Building” during the occasion.
In his welcome address, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director of ICAR-NAARM regarded the Academy as Gurukul for the agricultural scientific fraternity in the country. Dr. Rao mentioned about the increase in food production from 50 million tonnes in 1950s to 285 million tonnes today in the country. He accentuated on the huge responsibility on these new probationers for helping the nation in sustaining the production by overcoming the latest challenges due to climate change.
The senior officials of ICAR-NAARM and ICAR Sister Institutes in Hyderabad were also present during the occasion.
A total of 135 ARS Probationers representing 28 ARS disciplines and 22 States have been undergoing the Foundation Course during the next 3 months in 3 phases.
