Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR, visited the ICAR-RCER, Patna during 17-18, July 2025. During his visit, Dr. Jat visited the ongoing research, education, and extension activities of the institute and inaugurated two key facilities: a multi-utility sale counter and an Open Top Chamber (OTC) facility for research on climate-resilient agriculture.
Dr. Jat visited various experimental fields and laboratories and livestock farm and fisheries research units. He appreciated the efforts being made to diversify and strengthen resource-efficient farming models that are especially relevant to the small and marginal farmers in different agro-climatic conditions of Eastern India.
In the interaction programme, the Director of ICAR-RCER, Dr. Anup Das gave a brief presentation on the institute’s translational research and extension activities being carried out and also brief account of initiatives and activities taken by the institute in the new areas of research like carbon farming, future farming models to achieve Viksit Krishi.
Addressing the scientific and technical staff, Dr. Jat congratulated the institute on completing 25 years of commendable service to Indian agriculture. Dr. Jat said that eastern India is a challengingly opportune region and specifically highlighted future research areas for Eastern India, including: Intensification of rice-fallow systems, Standardization of natural farming practices with suitable crop varieties and management practices, adoption of climate-resilient agriculture, leveraging advanced infrastructure such as the OTC and Rainout Shelter.
DG encouraged to trial of the use of drones for air-seeding in rice-fallow areas, allowing the utilization of residual soil moisture before paddy harvest. Dr. Jat also emphasized on demand-driven research with a focus on need-specific strengthening of existing IFS systems in farmers field to fill the existing gaps. He called for a “One Team – One Task” approach to achieve tangible field-level outcomes and appreciated the institute’s contributions to the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA).
Dr. Jat, highlighted the need for participatory seed production with farmers and advocated for collaborative efforts to support the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. DG also emphasized active stakeholder consultation for driving agricultural development in Bihar and Eastern India. Dr. Jat also interacted with the farmers who are participating in a Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) training programme and emphasized on the importance of DSR and stated that its area under cultivation should be expanded.
The program also featured the release of “PRAYAS”, a publication showcasing institute's efforts covering marginalized farmers of seven states of Eastern India, and the launching of “Kaushal-Se-Kisan Samridhi”, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering marginalized farmers through skill development. This occasion also witnessed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a women-led Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) and institute for tomato grafting.
The event began with the tree plantation, exhibition stall showcasing the Institute’s varieties, various products and technologies, registered breeds of livestock, important publications etc. The interaction session commenced with lighting of the lamp, followed by the ICAR Song and a melodious welcome performance by students of the IARI-Patna hub. The program was graced by the presence of Dr. Anjani Kumar, Director, ICAR-ATARI Patna; Dr. R.K. Jat, Senior Agronomist, BISA, Samastipur; and several scientists of ICAR institutions.
