Efforts of the ICAR have helped India transform from an importing nation to an exporting nation— Shri Radha Mohan Singh
On 16th July 2018, New Delhi,Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, while addressing the 90th ICAR Foundation Day and ICAR Award Ceremony said the efforts of the ICAR have not only helped India transform from an importing nation to an exporting nation but also provided self-sufficiency and nutritional security in food grains. Due to the efforts of skilled scientists and the hard work of the farmers, the country today has a buffer stock in food grain, he added.
The agriculture minister emphasised that ICAR is playing a vital role in fulfilling the government vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
The Minister expressed happiness and said that due to the techniques developed by ICAR and hard work of the farmers, food grain production touched 275.68 million tonnes this year, which is 10.64 million tonnes more than 265.04 million tonnes recorded in 2013-14. Horticulture production has touched 305 million tonnes this year. The country is also moving forward in pulses production and with around 23 million tonnes of pulses production this year, close to self-sufficiency. Due to this, the import of pulses has gone down from 10 lakh tonnes in 2016-17 to 5.65 lakh tonnes in 2017-18, saving the country Rs. 9775 crore in foreign exchange. The Pusa basmati 1121 variety of Basmati rice developed by ICAR has helped India earn more than Rs 18,000 crore in foreign exchange every year. During 2010-14, India earned Rs 62,800 crore in foreign exchange from exports, which rose to Rs 71,900 crore in 2014-18.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said ICAR has given special emphasis on higher education in agriculture to enable skilled youth in the field of research & education and the recommendation of the Fifth Dean Committee has been implemented in all Agricultural Universities. More than 30 techniques have been developed by ICAR to generate income from agriculture waste which can be increase the income come of farmers he added.
Chief Guest and dignitaries released ICAR publications, knowledge products and technologies on the occasion.
Awards were distributed for excellence in 16 different categories in the award distribution function, which include 3 institutes; 1 SAU; 2 AICRPs. The agriculture minister congratulated the three Best Ranked Universities and Official Language Awardees and other award winners for outstanding achievements and contributions.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra , Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) briefed about the achievements of ICAR.
Shri Chhabilendra Roul, Special Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) delivered welcome address.
Shri Bimbardhar Pradhan, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor (DARE/ICAR) proposed vote of thanks.
Directors of ICAR Institutes, awardees, and ICAR officials were present on the occasion.
