The Indian Council of Agricultural Research organized a “Workshop on Joint Working of ICAR & MSME to Promote & Develop Agro and Rural Enterprises” at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex.
The Chief Guest, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries emphasized on agricultural mechanization for enhancing the famers’ income. The Minister stressed on making the farmers well-versed with the modern technologies of agriculture and farming.
Shri Sarangi urged the farmers to adopt the new innovations in the agricultural technologies developed by scientists. He also encouraged the scientists and the farmers to follow the path of “Let’s think, work and live together”. The Minister adjured the farmers to adopt organic farming.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) briefed about the partnership between the ICAR & MSME to promote & develop the Agro and Rural Enterprises. The Director General emphasized that the farm mechanization will help in doubling the farmers’ income as it reduces the cost, time and labor, thereby, enhancing the agricultural productivity. He said that the ICAR has been committed to work towards the farm mechanization.
Dr. Mohapatra said that this venture will provide a platform for their field establishments to enter the MoUs at the local level for the promotion & development of Agro & Rural Enterprises by leveraging upon the strength and expertise of the respective Institutes.
The Director General emphasized that ICAR & MSME will collaborate with each other in the research, education, training & capacity building, development of farm implements and other specified areas.
Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary, MSME opined for adopting the strategies that could help to disseminate the latest agricultural technologies to the real users - the farmers. Dr. Panda citied the examples of success in the fields of agri-processing technologies and Cluster Development Programmes of MSME.
Shri Ram Mohan Mishra, Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner, MSME outlined the important aspects that both the organizations will work on together.
Earlier, Dr. K. Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General, Agricultural Engineering, ICAR, New Delhi and Shri R.K. Rai, Director, MSME briefed about their respective organizations and their roles in the collaboration.
Shri Sushil Kumar, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural & Crop Science), ICAR along with several other Senior Officials of ICAR and Ministry of MSME were also present during the occasion.
An Interaction Session with farmers and the Officials of ICAR and MSME was also held during the occasion.
The dignitaries released the publications titled “Agricultural Process Engineering” and “Krishi Abhiyantriki Darpan” by the ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal during the occasion.
